• Location: Wexford, Wexford
• Type: Project
• Job #43584

Director of Policy & External Affairs – Permanent – Maritime Area Regulatory Authority

Osborne are delighted to be partnering with the Maritime Area Regulatory Authority in the recruitment for the Director of Policy & External Affairs. For details of this position and information on how to apply please see details below:

How to apply:
To apply for this role candidates must submit the relevant, signed and completed application form to mara@osborne.ie no later than 5pm on Monday 3rd February 2025.
Please find below the information booklet and the application form. All interested parties must complete the relevant application form and submit to mara@osborne.ie. Only candidates who complete the application forms will be considered within the remit of this competition.
**CV’s will not be accepted as an application**

The Organisation:
The Maritime Area Regulatory Authority (MARA) is a new independent body responsible for the sustainable management of Ireland’s diverse and unique maritime area, brought about by the enactment of the Maritime Area Planning Act 2021 (MAP Act). Established in July 2023, as part of the biggest reform of marine governance in Ireland in almost a century, MARA will be key to the transformation of our maritime governance regime.

The system and structures set out in the MAP Act are key legal enablers of development and the protection of the environment and cultural heritage in the maritime area for the future generations, including the envisaged expansion of the offshore renewable energy sector required to meet Ireland’s 2030 climate goals in an integrated and sustainable manner.

To learn more about MARA you can visit their website at https://www.maritimeregulator.ie/

The Role:
The Director of Policy and External Affairs will be a key member of the MARA leadership team. Responsible for shaping and delivering the organisation's policy agenda and public affairs activity to enable delivery of MARA’s mission. The role will involve working with internal and external stakeholders to build and maintain MARA’s reputation as a well-functioning regulatory agency that delivers societal value. A key component will involve interacting with relevant government departments on national marine spatial planning policy and relevant legislation. 

As a member of the MARA’s Senior Management Team, the Director of Policy and External Affairs will lead on a number of key areas within MARA, in addition to contributing to the overall delivery of MARA’s functions and objectives. As MARA continues its establishment, it will continuously evaluate its organisational structure and the placement of functions within different divisions.

Key Duties and Responsibilities:

• Work with the CEO to lead a high performing policy and external affairs function, including a media team. As part of the MARA leadership team, shape the development of the organisation’s strategy, culture, values and operating model.
• Act as a key advisor to the Chair, CEO, and the MARA Senior Management team on policy, strategy, and communications matters. A close working relationship with Department of Energy, Climate and Communications (DECC) will be essential.
• Shape MARA’s position on policy matters, horizon scanning and identifying gaps, risks and opportunities in the overall maritime regulatory environment. Lead MARA’s input to government policies affecting MARA’s functions.
• Develop and advance MARA’s strategic policy and legislative requirements. During the next 2-3 years, the key outputs that the successful candidate will lead on include:
• Development of regulatory policy to align with national marine spatial planning objectives
• Development and implementation of MARA’s competitive Maritime Area Consent (MAC) process for the Offshore Renewable Energy (ORE) sector;
• Review of MARA’s levy framework;
• Lead and oversee the implementation of stakeholder engagement and external affairs strategy; to build and maintain trust with key stakeholders, including government departments, Oireachtas, other state agencies, board members, industry, NGOs, EU & international regulatory bodies and other stakeholders.
• Lead MARA’s co-operative function with other maritime regulators.
• Develop and manage a policy and communications budget, ensuring high performance and value for money in line with MARA’s strategic plan, project briefs, contracts and public sector procurement requirements.
• Oversee MARA’s Board governance programme, including co-ordinate Board and subcommittee engagement with MARA’s executive.
• Oversee MARA’s suite of corporate governance requirements in respect of Code of Practice for State Agencies and lead on Departmental engagement.

Closing Date/Deadline:
Deadline for applications: Please note latest receipt for applications is strictly 5pm on Monday 3rd February 2025. Incomplete applications, postal applications or CV’s will not be accepted. Any applications received after the closing date and time will not be considered.

An acknowledgement email will be issued for all applications received. If you do not receive acknowledgement of your application within two working days of submission, please contact Osborne Recruitment at mara@osborne.ie to ensure your application has been received.

For more information please apply through the link provided for the attention of Teri Quinn or call Osborne Recruitment on 041 986 5058.
If you are interested in finding out more about the above role and would like to be considered for this or other suitable roles that we may have available for your skill set – please attach your CV via the link provided. Please submit your updated CV in Word Format.
If you are living in Ireland and hold a VALID WORK PERMIT, we would love to hear from you, if however, you do not hold a valid work permit unfortunately we will not be in a position to assist you with your job search.
Osborne are proud to be an Equal Opportunity Employer.

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