Director of Services & Partnerships (ROI)

Reports to: Chief Services Officer
Location: NOW Group Office ROI – Hybrid working model in place
Hours: 37.5 per week
Salary: €67,500 to €80,000

NOW Group is an award-winning social enterprise operating across Belfast and Dublin. We are committed to working with individuals and businesses to unlock potential and create meaningful, lasting change across the island of Ireland.

Our work focuses on supporting people who are neurodiverse, autistic, or have a learning disability, helping them to build skills and progress into sustainable, future-focused employment. Through tailored training programmes, inclusive job opportunities, and community-based support, we empower individuals to achieve their goals and thrive in the workplace.

In this newly created role, you will position NOW Group as a sustainable lead provider for services for people who are neurodiverse, have learning difficulties or intellectual disabilities, by generating income streams from funding, philanthropy, tenders and growth of social enterprise revenue. 

Your expertise will ensure that we deliver a world class participant experience and support them to meet their full potential, in line with the organisation strategic vision and objectives.

Main Responsibilities

1. Drive growth by boosting existing revenue and creating new income streams
2. Identify, evaluate and cultivate high‑value opportunities that strengthen the organisation’s market position, expand income generation, and enhance the profile of NOW Group across all regions.
3. Develop, manage and optimise strategic partnerships and stakeholder relationships to advance organisational objectives and long‑term sustainability.
4. Oversee the systematic monitoring, analysis and reporting of income diversification, participant outcomes and labour‑market intelligence to inform strategic decision‑making and future service planning.
5. Provide strategic leadership for the development and delivery of future employability initiatives, proactively identifying new funding opportunities and acting as a positive policy disruptor to influence, shape and improve the employability landscape.
6. Manage, lead and develop the respective Head of Service in Republic of Ireland. 
7. Actively contribute to the Executive/Leadership Team, shaping organisational strategy, culture and operational effectiveness.
8. Implement a robust performance‑management approach to continuously monitor, evaluate and enhance team effectiveness and accountability.
9. Ensure the highest standards of safeguarding practice across all services and provide strategic support and leadership in fulfilment of Safeguarding Champion responsibilities.

Benefits
25 days annual leave plus 11 statutory days 
Health Cash Plan (on successful completion of probationary period) 
Access to confidential Staff Counselling & Financial Advisory Services
Pension Scheme
Holiday purchase scheme
Flexible working & Wellbeing initiatives

NOW Group adheres to the National Vetting Bureau (Children and Vulnerable Persons) Acts 2012–2016 and it is our policy to obtain Garda Vetting clearance for all employees working within our service delivery teams. This vetting process will be completed prior to commencement of employment, subject to a successful interview outcome.

Essential Criteria

1. A full current driving licence and access to a car. Consideration will be given to alternative travelling proposals in respect of applicants with a disability who cannot hold a licence. 
2. 3rd level qualification in a relevant discipline. 
3. At least 2 year’s experience; 

• negotiating contracts and SLAs with funders; 
• producing monitoring reports for a range of service level agreements;                
• programme management including direct accountability to funders; 
• working at senior management level. 

4. At least 2 years' experience of managing a budget. 
5. At least 2 years’ experience of income generation related to service provision.
6. Strong experience of liaising with employers and building networks. 
7. Proficient in the use of the Microsoft Office suite. 

Desirable Criteria

1. At least 1 years' experience of managing a government funded employment & training programme. 
2. At least 1 years' experience of taking a lead role in; a major Irish government and HSE-funded 
   programme oversight, audit, or inspection, HIQA inspections, HSE audit and compliance processes, self-evaluation and quality improvement processes 
3. Experience of safeguarding, with a clear understanding of policies, procedures, and responsibilities in protecting vulnerable individuals.