Location: Dublin 1 – Blended Working
Grade: Principal Officer
Contract: Permanent
Salary: €108,152–€133,775 per annum

Please note: Appointment will normally be made at the first point of the scale (€108,152). Entry above the minimum point will not generally apply and may only be considered in accordance with the relevant public-sector pay rules.

The Corporate Enforcement Authority (CEA) is seeking an experienced and strategically minded legal leader to join its senior management team as Director of Legal & Advocacy. Reporting to a Member of the Authority, the Director will work within the Insolvency Supervision, Civil Enforcement & Advocacy Division. This is a senior leadership role at the centre of Ireland’s corporate enforcement framework, combining complex legal advisory and enforcement work with responsibility for advancing the CEA’s statutory advocacy remit.

The Role

You will provide strategic legal advice to the Authority and its senior leadership across a broad range of company, civil, criminal, administrative and regulatory matters.

You will support complex investigations and enforcement actions, guide civil and criminal litigation strategy, oversee the preparation of prosecution files and manage engagement with external legal advisers and counsel.

A central part of the role will be leading the CEA’s statutory advocacy work. This will include engaging with professional, business and other stakeholder groups; developing guidance and communications; promoting understanding of company law obligations; and helping to empower stakeholders to comply with and exercise their rights under company law.

You will also lead and develop a high-performing legal team, contribute to organisational strategy and policy development, and support strong governance, risk management and organisational change.

About You

You will be an experienced barrister or solicitor with the legal expertise, professional judgement and leadership capability required to operate effectively at senior level within a complex statutory and regulatory environment. You will be able to provide clear, authoritative advice, manage substantial and complex legal matters and communicate
confidently with senior stakeholders.

Essential Criteria

Candidates must:

• Be called to the Bar of Ireland and/or enrolled as a solicitor in the State.
• Have at least five years’ relevant post-qualification experience, at an appropriate level of seniority, practising as a barrister or solicitor in the State.

• Demonstrate specialist knowledge and significant experience in at least two of the following areas:
  • Company law;
  • Civil law and procedure;
  • Regulatory and enforcement law;
  • Administrative law and procedure; or
  • Criminal law and procedure.

• Have senior-level experience in one or more of the following areas:
  • Data protection and privacy law;
  • Protected disclosures and whistleblowing;
  • Legal professional privilege;
  • Employment law;
  • Corporate restructuring and insolvency;
  • European law; or
  • Public procurement law.

• Demonstrate the ability to analyse complex legal issues and provide clear, accurate and practical legal advice.
• Have the professional judgement and decision-making capability to manage sensitive, high-risk and high-profile matters.
• Be able to absorb and assess large volumes of complex information while managing competing priorities and demanding deadlines.
• Demonstrate strong leadership skills and the ability to identify and address strategic legal, organisational and reputational risks.
• Have the credibility and communication skills required to advise, influence and engage effectively at senior level.
• Demonstrate excellent interpersonal, collaborative and stakeholder-management skills.
• Show a clear understanding of the CEA’s public-interest mandate and the responsibilities and obligations applying to a public body.

Desirable Criteria

The following would be advantageous:

• Experience of leading and developing a professional legal team at senior level.
• Experience of managing resources, workloads and competing priorities across a complex legal function.
• Experience of litigation strategy, civil or criminal enforcement proceedings, prosecutions or engagement with external counsel and legal advisers.
• Experience of advocacy, stakeholder engagement, public legal education or developing guidance and communications for professional or business audiences.
• Experience of working within, or advising, a statutory, regulatory, law-enforcement or public-sector organisation.

Why Apply?

This is a rare opportunity to take on a significant legal leadership role within a high-profile statutory authority. The successful candidate will help shape important enforcement outcomes, strengthen understanding of company law and contribute directly to the continued development of the CEA.

Application Details

To apply, please download and complete an application form from www.consciatalent.com/CEA

The Candidate Information Booklet, containing full details of the role, eligibility requirements and application process, is also available from this site. 

Closing Date: 3.00pm on Monday, 31 August 2026
Interviews: Expected to take place during September 2026
Email address for queries: CEA@consciatalent.com