Gas Networks Ireland operates and maintains Ireland’s €3bn, 14,725km national gas network, which is considered one of the safest and most modern renewables-ready gas networks in the world.
Almost 725,000 Irish homes and businesses trust Ireland’s gas network to provide efficient and reliable energy to meet their heating, cooking, manufacturing and transport needs.
The gas network is the cornerstone of Ireland’s energy system, securely supplying more than 30% of Ireland’s total energy and over 40% of the country’s electricity generation.
Gas Networks Ireland is aiming to deliver a repurposed, resized and fully decarbonised gas network by 2045. Its “Pathway to a Net Zero Carbon Network” envisions transforming the existing gas network into two separate systems carrying 100% renewable gas, one dedicated to biomethane and the other to green hydrogen, with the potential to carry approximately 30% biomethane and 70% green hydrogen, as well as offering significant long term energy export opportunities.
Gas Networks is an organisation with a very strong legacy and a culture founded on pride in our purpose, to keep Irelands energy moving, and commitment to our vision, to be at the heart of Irelands energy future. Our organisational values demonstrate what is important across the organisation including building on our experience across our organisation to build towards our sustainable future, doing what's right for each other and for the people and communities that we serve and finally energised for the change of our future towards a renewable energy landscape. Throughout your career in Gas Networks Ireland, you will be part of an organisation that has a strong commitment to supporting and developing our workforce today and into the future. You will also have an opportunity to get involved in our ambitious iBelong programme ensuring a diverse, equitable and inclusive environment for us all to thrive. Finally, our Time to Talk Mental Health programme and our wellbeing initiatives ensure we provide support across many areas as you work in our organisation.
The corporate and physical security environment has evolved significantly over the past few years, necessitating the expansion of Gas Networks Irelands security capabilities. Rising activism targeting energy organisations, critical infrastructure threats, geopolitical conflicts, and new regulatory requirements have created a complex security and risk landscape. In response, Gas Networks Ireland is establishing a centralised security team within the Facilities group to comprehensively address these challenges.
Gas Networks Ireland is now seeking to appoint a Security Manager.
The Role
The Security Manager will lead the development and execution of corporate and physical security strategies to safeguard Gas Networks Ireland’s infrastructure, assets, operations, and personnel. This role balances strategic planning with operational oversight, ensuring effective day-to-day security operations and continuous improvement of security technologies and infrastructure.
Reporting to the Facilities Manager, the Security Manager will be responsible for delivering robust security services across all GNI locations, including the Republic of Ireland, Northern Ireland, the Isle of Man, and Scotland.
Duties and Responsibilities:
Strategy and Leadership
- Develop and lead the Gas Network Ireland Physical Security Strategy, aligned with its overall business objectives, to provide a best-in-class physical security function that will protect people, assets, and reputation from physical threats
- Act as a reliable advisor to senior leadership and the board regarding physical security risks, current trends, and effective mitigation strategies.
- Direct the formulation and execution of comprehensive security policies, standards, and procedures across the organisation
- Cultivate a culture of security awareness and resilience across the organization.
- Establish and oversee a high-performing, geographically dispersed security team, ensuring effective leadership, comprehensive training, and strategic succession planning.
- Oversee Incident management team for physical security in the event of Security Crisis management being invoked.
- Continuously assess and address emerging threats and technological advancements to maintain and enhance the organization's security posture.
- Deliver strategy to ensure compliance with the physical security aspects of the Critical Entities Resilience Directive (CERD) and other relevant national and international security regulations.
- Engage with internal and external stakeholders to influence and respond to changes in security legislation and support the Designated Liaison Officer on CERD-related matters.
- Submit Price Control documentation (Capex and Opex) for Corporate and Physical Security, manage annual budgets, and approve financial gate papers for presentation to investment approval committees.
Stakeholder Engagement
- Engage proactively with Gas Network Ireland's senior leadership to communicate and advise on security functions and potential security risks.
- Build and maintain relationships with key internal (i.e. FM, HR, IT, Legal) and external stakeholders (i.e. Police Forces (IRE/NI/Scot/UK), CRU, EU bodies, Dept of Defence/Office of Emergency Planning, security vendors & service providers, regulatory bodies, law enforcement, etc.)
- Collaborate with other departments to ensure security is integrated into all aspects of the organisation.
- Liaise with the Regional Operational teams in Gas Network Ireland to ensure that security services in the nationally and internationally are appropriate to meet the demands of the business.
- Act as the company's representative in external forums, industry associations, and government agencies concerning security and critical infrastructure protection.
The role requires flexibility to extend working hours and the possibility of being a member of the on-call rota. Other duties as maybe assigned from time to time depending on the business need.
Knowledge, Skills and Experience
- Relevant Third level qualification in Security / Risk / Engineering / Facilities Management or equivalent. A minimum of eight years’ experience in Security Management with at least 5 years in a senior leadership role.
- Experience in critical infrastructure protection, preferably in the energy sector, with a strong knowledge of best practice in physical & corporate security methdologies along with a deep knowledge of relevant statutory and industry regulations and standards.
- Previous experience with initiating and maintaining strategic relationships both internally and externally, using strong influencing skills to achieve business goals and objectives.
- Excellent communication, presentation, and interpersonal skills. Ability to think creatively, to innovate and resolve problems.
- Proven track record with dealing with complex issues, proactively and in a timely fashion, along with the ability to communicate complex information to others.
- Expert knowledge of risk management, Business continuity, Crisis management and incident response.
- Excellent leadership skills with the ability to provide direction and focus to the relevant team members and driver of high standards for individual, team and organisational performance.
- Experience in Financial Budgeting and Contract Management
- Professional security certifications are highly desirable.
Work Requirement
- Based in Dublin/Cork with regular travel to Gas Networks Ireland sites across Ireland, Northern Ireland, Scotland, and the Isle of Man.
- On-call availability for emergency situations.
- May require occasional international travel for stakeholder meetings, conferences or training.
Applications, including current Curriculum Vitae, should be emailed to the following address stating the job title and reference number in the subject line of your email: recruit@gasnetworks.ie
The closing date for receipt of applications for this vacancy is the 31st of July 2025.
Please note that applications submitted after this closing date will not be accepted.
Gas Networks Ireland is an equal opportunities employer
We are committed to providing a diverse and inclusive place of work and have a robust strategy and framework called ibelong to enable this. We are an equal opportunity employer and through our recruitment process we welcome and encourage applications from interested and suitably qualified individuals regardless of gender, age, racial or ethnic origin, membership of the traveller community, religion or beliefs, family or civil status, sexual orientation/gender identity or disability.