Deputy Secretary General for Housing Activation

This newly established role - Deputy Secretary General for Housing Activation - has been created to deliver on the Programme for Government commitment to accelerate home building and increase housing supply across all tenures. This is a cross-cutting, strategic leadership role within the Department, focused on driving housing supply through policy alignment, infrastructure activation and inter-agency collaboration.

The Deputy Secretary General will have direct responsibility for the Housing Activation Office, which is focused on unlocking key sites with potential for large-scale housing development nationwide.

Main Duties of the job

Reporting directly to the Secretary General, the Deputy Secretary General for Housing Activation will play a pivotal role in coordinating and driving the Government's efforts to increase housing supply across all tenures. The role is cross-cutting in nature and is charged with ensuring policy across the Department's remit is compatible with increasing housing supply and the objectives of Government. Primary focus will be on the Government's role in creating the necessary conditions to facilitate the supply of housing, both public and private, and the activation of key sites throughout the country by addressing infrastructure bottlenecks.

The successful candidate will have:

• A proven record of strategic leadership and programme delivery at senior level;
• Strong interdepartmental coordination and stakeholder management experience to be applied within the public service and in collaboration with the private sector;
• The ability to translate policy objectives into measurable delivery outcomes;
• Excellent financial and organisational management skills, particularly in capital programme oversight;
• Exceptional communication, negotiation, influencing and problem-solving abilities; and
• An understanding of the constitutional, statutory, and procedural framework within which a Government Department operates.

A detailed knowledge of the housing market is helpful, but is not a requirement where the candidate can demonstrate the capacity to quickly acquire an understanding of housing, infrastructure, capital investment and planning policy.

Information about the Organisation

The Department employs over 1,800 staff, primarily in Dublin, Wexford, and Ballina, and also in locations throughout the National Parks network. Its mission is to support sustainable development, with a particular focus on strategic planning and the efficient delivery of well-planned homes in vibrant communities, the sustainable management of our water resources, the preservation of Ireland's heritage and biodiversity, and the promotion of effective local government. The Department's budget for 2026 will be over €11 billion.

Selection Process Details

This is a Top Level Appointments Committee (TLAC) position.

Further information on this significant opportunity including details on how to apply, is available on our website via the button below.

The closing date for receipt of completed applications is 3pm on Thursday 20th November 2025.

We are committed to a policy of equal opportunity and encourage applications under all nine grounds of the Employment Equality Act.