Gas Networks Ireland operates and maintains Ireland’s €3 billion, 14,758km national gas network, supplying reliable energy to more than 720,000 homes and businesses. The network delivers more than 30% of the country’s total energy and 40% of its electricity generation.
We are dedicated to achieving net zero and advancing the energy transition through integrated planning and collaboration with the energy industry. To realise our vision and to be at the heart of Ireland’s energy future, we are committed to transforming our network to achieve net zero carbon emissions onboarding biomethane and green hydrogen.
We have a proud legacy, and our values guide how we work every day - drawing on our experience, doing what’s right for each other and our communities, and staying energised for the change ahead.
When you join Gas Networks Ireland, you become part of an organisation that invests in its people. We are committed to supporting your growth and wellbeing in a workplace where everyone can contribute and thrive.
The closing date for receipt of applications for this vacancy is 26th May 2026, and applications submitted after this closing date will not be accepted.
Background:
The Department of Climate, Energy and the Environment (“DCEE”), ‘Energy Security Package’, Action 17 has identified that Ireland needs a strategic gas emergency reserve to achieve security of gas supply during a supply interruption as Ireland makes a secure transition to majority renewable energy.
DCEE has engaged GNI to prepare a substantive proposal for the optimal solution to deliver the strategic reserve project. GNI has created a separate internal team which is responsible for progressing the strategic gas emergency reserve initiative which is responsible for assessing viable technical solutions, developing a comprehensive business case and programme plan for delivery, namely the Strategic Gas Emergency Reserve (SGER).
The Role:
Reporting to the SGER Project Manager; the SGER Contract Manager is responsible for driving commercial, procurement and contract performance across the SGER programme, ensuring the appropriate frameworks, contracts and cost reporting processes are in place, and working effectively. The SGER Contract Manager will work closely with SGER Programme Management, Engineering and Finance & Regulation pillars; as well as the GNI Supply Chain team, to ensure key contracts are aligned with the programme’s commercial strategy. The role is critical to the execution of the project’s delivery strategy which is a key enabler to the project being delivered on schedule.
Duties and Responsibilities:
• Support the management of all commercial activities for the programme including procurement strategy and tender preparation, contract and cost management, as well as the management of commercial and contractual risks.
• Work closely with the SGER Client Partner and wider SGER Programme team, to ensure that appropriate levels of commercial governance and control areimplemented across key SGER programme contracts/frameworks.
• Support Programme leadership through the identification and mitigation of commercial and contractual risks in project/programme performance, focusing on minimising delays and cost overruns.
• Manage performance of key professional services contracts, as well as oversight of SGER Client Partner managed contracts, such as FEED, SI Phase 2 and Engineering Service Provider design services; tracking actual costs against approved budgets and forecasts, identifying variances, trends, and emerging risks.
• Maintain oversight of cost forecasts, committed spend and cost-to-complete positions across assigned contracts, ensuring consistency between contract data, programme controls and financial reporting.
• Review and assess commercial and cost submissions provided by contractors and suppliers, ensuring consistency, value for money, and alignment with the programme’s business case.
• Support disciplined change control across managed contracts, including assessment of the cost impact of compensation events, variations and scope changes, and ensuring approved changes are accurately reflected in forecasts and budgets.
• Provide active cost assurance and challenge to external suppliers and consultants, ensuring contract entitlements, payment mechanisms and cost recovery approaches are robustly applied and controlled.
• Support the GNI Supply Chain team and SGER PMO team in procurement andtender management processes, including commercial input to tender evaluations and financial assessments.
• Assist with the preparation, coordination and review of contract and programme-level cost reports for internal governance (Programme Board, Commercial Directorate) and external stakeholders (e.g., DECC, CRU), ensuring clarity, accuracy and consistency of financial data.
• Produce and maintain clear visibility of cost performance, forecast movements, emerging pressures and contingent exposures to support informed programme and executive decision-making.
• Support the assessment of contractual claims and compensation events, ensuring robust commercial and cost analysis, clear audit trails and defensible recommendations.
• Support the implementation and application of cost control procedures and financial governance requirements across project teams, contracts and workstreams, working alongside contract managers and PMO functions.
• Provide training or guidance to project teams on contract performance management, cost procedures, contract cost controls and financial governance requirements, as appropriate to the role.
• Support the management and review of contractor and consultant payment applications, ensuring claims are in line with contract terms, approved scope, verified progress and agreed cost controls.
• Maintain visibility of the status of payment applications, certifications and payments across managed contracts, highlighting delays, discrepancies or emerging cashflow risks.
• Support accurate tracking and reporting of actual expenditure through the payment cycle, ensuring alignment between certified payments, cost forecasts and programme financial reporting.
• Perform additional tasks, activities or other duties as may be required or assigned as part of the role.
Knowledge Skills and Experience:
• Relevant third level degree or equivalent accredited experience in Engineering / Business / Finance / Quantity Surveying or a related discipline.
• Minimum 8 years post qualification experience in a related role working in a large scale, complex utility.
• Strong knowledge in developing and managing commercial performance metrics and dashboards.
• Ability to identify, assess, quantify, and mitigate commercial and contractual risks, ensuring robust risk control measures.
• Strong analytical skills for cost estimation, budget management, financial reporting, and performance tracking.
• Excellent interpersonal skills, capable of building and maintaining strong relationships across internal departments, external suppliers, and contractors.
Equal Opportunities Employer:
Gas Networks Ireland is an equal opportunities employer, committed to providing a diverse, inclusive, and supportive workplace. Through our ibelong framework, we work to ensure that everyone feels respected, valued, and able to contribute.
We welcome applications from all suitably experienced candidates, regardless of gender, age, racial or ethnic origin, membership of the Traveller community, religion or beliefs, family or civil status, sexual orientation or gender identity, or disability.
We also value diverse career journeys and warmly welcome candidates returning to the workforce or bringing non-linear experience, including transferable skills gained through life and professional pathways.
If you require any reasonable accommodations at any stage, please contact us at recruit@gasnetworks.ie and we will support you to ensure a positive and equitable candidate experience.
We offer hybrid working arrangements to help you balance work and life, and to support you in bringing your best to the organisation.
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