P-TECH is a highly innovative educational initiative that combines post-primary school with elements of higher education and workplace experiences with a view to building a range of 21st Century skills for students in the North-East Inner City (NEIC).   

P-TECH operates through a three-way partnership between schools, higher/further education institutions and industry partners. It includes a structured workplace learning strand with mentoring, worksite visits, speakers, and project days and a range of authentic learning opportunities to develop business and digital competencies including IT skills, digital literacy, emerging technologies, project management skills, communication skills, teamwork and problem-solving.  

The students involved in the programme work towards the achievement of a Level 6 10 ECTs Special Purpose Award.  

Additionally, a pilot P-TECH tertiary degree programme, a Bachelor of Arts (Honours) in Digital and Business Skills (DABS) began in September 2024. DABS is be a bespoke education progression option for P-TECH students, and is designed to equip students with a broad range of employability competencies, preparing them for a successful career in the ever-changing business and digital world.  

P-TECH Project Office 

In 2025, an external review, commissioned by the Department of Education and Youth, was completed to assess the development of the first phase of the pilot. The review noted that while the curriculum and delivery of P-TECH in schools is working very well, the findings highlight areas for improvement, particularly regarding governance, communication, and coordination between stakeholders. Improving workforce-readiness, by equipping students with the critical technical, professional and transversal skills they need, is a challenging social endeavor which has the potential to achieve enduring beneficial outcomes to students of the NEIC and beyond. The next phase of development, including the establishment of a P-TECH Project Office, will involve strengthening the infrastructure and processes and it will be crucial to implement the recommended governance improvements, to enhance strategic oversight, streamline decision-making, and foster better communication among all parties involved. 

The P-TECH Project Office will be an independent office responsible for day-to-day operational management of the programme throughout the calendar year. The office will be led by the P-TECH Programme Director and the role of the office will be to lead, manage and coordinate P-TECH across the schools, industry, and further/higher education. This office will ensure smooth programme delivery, effective stakeholder coordination, and successful implementation of programme activities. It will be accountable to the Steering Committee for ensuring the operational aspects align with the strategic direction provided by the Steering Committee. 

Key Relationships

• Vice Dean School of Social Sciences  
• Dean of School of Business and Social Sciences  
• External Government Departments Department of Education and Youth (DEY)  
• P-TECH Steering Committee 
• Partners – schools, industry partners and P-TECH programme leadership 
• NCI President 
• NCI Senior Management Team 

Key Responsibilities 

Key roles and responsibilities of the P-TECH Programme Director include, but are not limited to: 

Strategic and Operational Leadership: 

• Coordinate the delivery of the P-TECH learning experience, including events, mentoring, workplace learning, and academic components. 
• Support schools and educators in programme participation, identifying and addressing emerging needs to sustain quality delivery. 
• Support industry mentors and volunteers, providing ongoing guidance and best practice models. 
• Create greater cohesion and clarity in the roles and priorities for P-TECH and DABS going forward. 
• Streamline operational processes and establish a coherent annual calendar of activities. 
• Oversee the design and roll-out of a communications strategy to ensure consistency and clarity across all programme elements. 
• Lead the development of improved infrastructure, including exploring IT platforms and data management systems to support administration and reporting. 

Academic Operations Interface (Internal): 

• Liaise with the Dean, Academic Leadership Team, and relevant professional services to ensure cross-functional alignment and compliance with institutional policies. 
• Support operational and strategic planning, particularly in relation to programme evaluation, risk management, and institutional reporting. 
• Facilitate communication with regulatory and accrediting bodies as required. 

  Essential Qualifications and Experience:  

• An undergraduate degree at 2:2 level or above is essential 
• At least 5 years of progressively responsible experience at a senior level, ideally within education or programme management 
• Proven experience in managing multi-stakeholder programmes or partnerships 
• Demonstrated excellence in project management, governance, communication, and stakeholder engagement 
• Experience in budget preparation and financial oversight 
• Strong record of strategic planning and organisational leadership 

Skills and Attributes: 

• Exceptional interpersonal and relationship-building skills 
• Strong written, numerical, and verbal communication skills 
• Proven leadership in cross-functional and collaborative team environments 
• High level of digital literacy and competency in tools such as MS Office and data systems 
• Analytical ability to interpret data, draw conclusions, and present findings effectively 
• Diplomacy, discretion, and confidence in dealing with senior executives and public representatives 

Conditions of Service

Tenure: 5 year fixed term (full time)

Salary: €85k DOE (Senior Manager Band -(€70,400 - €97,158)

Pension: Defined Contribution Pension Scheme.

Probation: Subject to a six-month probationary period.

Location: Based at Mayor Street Lower, International Financial Services Centre, Dublin 1.

Working Hours: Minimum of 35 hours per week (five-day week), with potential evening and weekend work as required.

Annual Leave: The annual leave allowance is 27 days.

National College of Ireland is committed to fostering an inclusive and diverse workplace where all individuals are valued and respected. We encourage applications from candidates of all backgrounds and provide equal opportunities for everyone, regardless of race, ethnicity, gender, disability, sexual orientation, age, religion, or any other protected grounds.

To Apply:

Please apply with a CV and cover letter both in PDF format ONLY, quoting reference number: NCI1008 to: recruitment-cdolan@ncirl.ie by 5:00 pm, 31ST July 2025.

Note: The functions and responsibilities assigned to  P-TECH Programme Director  are based on the current stated role and objectives of the College. These functions and responsibilities may alter in line with any change in the role and objectives of the College.

The successful applicant will be subject to Garda Vetting and must not have any convictions under the Sex Offenders Act 2001.

The Importance of Confidentiality

We would like to assure you that protecting confidentiality is our number one priority. You can expect that all enquires, applications and all aspects of the proceedings are treated as strictly confidential and are not disclosed to anyone, outside those directly involved in that aspect of the process.

Candidates' Obligations

In submitting a completed Curriculum Vitae and supporting documentation, candidates are declaring:

• That all the particulars furnished in their application are true and correct without omission and that they are aware of the qualifications and particulars for this position.
• That to the best of their knowledge that there is nothing in relation to their conduct, character or personal background of any nature that would adversely affect the position of trust in which they would be placed by virtue of this appointment.
• Their irrevocable consent to NCI making such enquiries as deemed necessary in respect of their suitability for the post in respect of which their application is made.
• Their acceptance and confirmation of the entitlement of NCI, as appropriate to, reject their application, or to terminate their employment (in the event of a contract of employment having been entered into on foot of this competition) if they have omitted to furnish NCI with any information relevant to their application or their continued employment or where they have made any false statement or misrepresentation relevant to this application or their continuing employment with the College. #

Candidates should note that they may be required to submit documentary evidence in support of any particulars given by them in their application for the post.

Data Protection Acts 1988 to 2018 and the Freedom of Information Acts 1997 to 2014 as amended

Data collected for the purposes of recruitment activities

NCI conducts recruitment processes to fill vacancies within the college. When applying for these competitions applicants are asked to submit a range of documents, e.g., a completed application form, CV and/or a personal statement or cover letter. For the purposes of recruitment activities, we will not collect any personal data that we do not need to assess your candidature for a role with us.

Legal Basis for Processing

NCI ’s legal basis for the processing of this data is a combination of individual consent, contractual necessity and legal obligations.

Withdrawal of Consent

Applicants can withdraw their consent for the processing of their personal data at any time by notifying the College. It is important to note that withdrawal of consent prior to the completion of the process will be considered as a withdrawal of the application.

What we do with your data

People who are directly employed by NCI and are based in Ireland process all the personal data collected for both recruitment and HR purposes.

Shortlisting

HR draft up the shortlisting documents and provide the initial screening to determine if a person meets the essential criteria of the competition. A shortlisting panel is generally made up of two senior grade staff members from the relevant department for which the role is being recruited.

Sharing of your data

Where you have been successfully shortlisted for a post, each interview panel member will be furnished with a copy of the relevant information of those who will be attending interview in order that they can review applications in advance of the interview process. All such information will be returned to NCI and shredded following the competition process. Some of the interview panel will be external interviewers, who are not employees of NCI but are engaged for the purpose and are strictly subject to the rules and policies of the College.

Access

Applicants can request and receive access to their data at any time and can request and receive a copy of this data, in electronic/transferable format.

Erasure

Applicants can request the data held be erased. In this case, the application for a position is considered withdrawn.

Rectification

Applicants can have any incorrect information corrected.

Objection / Withdraw

Applications can object to this information being processed and/or can request to withdraw from the application process

Complain

Applicants can make a complaint to our internal Information Governance and Data Protection Officer

NCI Information Governance and Data Protection Officer

National College of Ireland, Mayor Street, IFSC, Dublin 1

Tel (Direct): + 353 1 4498 523 ; Tel (Reception): + 353 1 4498 500

And/or make a complaint to the relevant authority

Data Protection Commission, 21 Fitzwilliam Square South, Dublin 2, D02 RD28

Tel: +353 (0) 761 104 800

National College of Ireland is an equal opportunities employer and is a Member of the Athena SWAN Charter. NCI is committed to serving our diverse community and welcomes applications from underrepresented groups.