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Overview Reporting to a Member of the Authority, this is a senior leadership level role within the Corporate Enforcement Authority (CEA). The responsibilities associated with this complex and demanding role are wide and varied.

The appointee will be presented with an unparalleled opportunity to contribute to the development of a modern enforcement agency. In that context, the following is a non-exhaustive overview of some of the principal responsibilities associated with the position. 

Legal & Advisory

The provision of high quality, well researched, and timely legal advice on all aspects of the CEA’s activities, including, but not confined to, advice and interpretation on matters pertaining to:

- company law, o criminal law and procedure,

- civil law and procedure,

- administrative law and procedure,

- constitutional law,

- the law of privacy and other applicable human rights obligations relevant to the CEA’s statutory remit,

- data protection/GDPR law,

- employment law,

- contract law,

- public procurement law,

- protected disclosures legislation, and

- freedom of information legislation,

- advising on the examination of instances of suspected misconduct under the Companies Acts and other relevant legislation,

- advising on, and contributing to, the development of investigative strategy, policy, and procedures, particularly in the context of legal issues arising,

- advising on, and contributing to, the development of litigation strategy and the management/supervision of litigation,

- acting as the CEA’s legal representative, as required,

- supporting the initiation and institution of summary proceedings and acting in a prosecutorial role on behalf of the CEA, as required,

- contributing to the preparation of files for onward transmission to the Director of Public Prosecutions and the provision of subsequent support to that Office, including with regard to the preparation for, and conduct of, trials on indictment,

- preparing for, supporting and managing civil litigation to which the CEA is a party, including, for example, applications for orders compelling compliance, applications elating to material over which privilege is being asserted, company investigations, judicial review proceedings, and restriction/disqualification proceedings,

- conducting legal research, analysing proposed legislation and its implications for the CEA and contributing to, and leading on, the development of legislative/reform proposals relevant to the CEA’s mandate,

- managing the sourcing of external legal representation, advice and ancillary services, and the management of relationships with external service providers, and

- contributing to the CEA’s policy formulation and advocacy activities.

Leadership & Management

- leading a team of experienced legal professionals and support staff,

- contributing effectively to the achievement of the CEA’s strategic and operational goals and objectives,

- contributing effective leadership in the context of the organisation’s risk identification, measurement, and management processes

- contributing effectively to the formulation and execution of organisational strategy and policy,

- contributing to, and leading on, the settling, promoting, embedding, and maintenance of high standards of professionalism across the organisation,

- representing the CEA in various fora, as required,

- establishing and developing strong collaborative relationships across what is a multi-disciplinary organisation,

- managing multiple agendas, projects, and tasks in an effective manner,

- managing competing priorities in an effective manner and providing deliverables to demanding deadlines,

- contributing to the development and delivery of staff training and development,

- contributing effective leadership in the context of organisational change and modernization,

- contributing effectively to the CEA’s ongoing compliance with its legal, regulatory, and other obligations as a public sector organisation,

- performing any other duties assigned from time to time.

The above is not, and does not purport to be, a comprehensive list of all duties involved and, consequently, the temporary assignee may be required to perform other duties appropriate to the post which may be assigned to him/her from time to time and to contribute to the development of the post for the duration of the assignment.

Essential qualifications & experiential requirements 

The appointee will:

- Have been called to the Bar of Ireland and/or have been enrolled as a Solicitor in the State.

- Since qualifying as at 1 above, have acquired (in aggregate) at least five yeas’ relevant experience at an appropriate level of seniority as a practicing Barrister or Solicitor in the State;

Possess a high degree of specialist knowledge (and experience of providing legal opinions to a high standard and without recourse to external expertise) in two or more of the following areas of law:

- company law,

- criminal law and procedure,

- civil law and procedure,

- regulatory/enforcement law and procedure,

- administrative law and procedure. 

Have acquired experience, at a suitably senior level, in one of more of the following areas of law/practice:

- data protection/privacy law,

- protected disclosures and whistleblower law,

- legal professional privilege,

- employment law,

- restructuring and insolvency law,

- European law and/or the law of procurement.

Essential skills & attributes

The successful candidate will:

- be capable of demonstrating a strong track record in the provision of high-quality legal advice in a fast-paced environment, under pressure and to tight deadlines;

- be capable of demonstrating a strong track record of mastering complex and wide-ranging briefs and assimilating large volumes of complex data and doing so quickly,

- be capable of demonstrating a strong track record in the exercise of sound professional judgement,

- be capable of demonstrating a strong track record in managing multiple agendas, projects, tasks, and assignments in an effective manner,

- possess strong leadership capabilities and the ability to identify quickly strategic issues and risks arising on an ongoing basis,

- possess the capacity to operate effectively and credibly at senior levels, both within the organisation and externally,

- be capable of demonstrating an appreciation of the challenges associated with working in a multi-disciplinary environment and the necessary flexibility to work effectively with all other relevant colleagues and stakeholders across sectoral, organisational and professional boundaries,

- possess excellent communications and interpersonal skills, be capable of demonstrating an appreciation of the CEA’s objectives, a keen awareness of the environment within which it operates, and of the particular obligations which stem from the CEA’s status as a public body funded entirely by the Exchequer and a strong commitment to serving the public interest.

The temporary assignee will also be expected to be able to demonstrate that they possess the key competencies for effective performance at Principal Officer level. 

For more details and to apply for this role please email cea@consciatalent.com 

Closing date for applications is 8 May 2026. 

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