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National College of Ireland (NCI) is a mission-driven, independent third-level higher education institution committed to changing lives through education.
A proud community of over 6,500 learners and staff NCI is proud to be celebrating its 75th Anniversary this year. Located in the heart of Dublin’s Docklands, NCI plays a distinctive and valued role within the Irish higher education system through its strong focus on academic excellence, active applied research, access, inclusion, employability, lifelong learning, and industry engagement.
NCI has a long-standing commitment to widening access and participation, supporting learners from underrepresented backgrounds, and delivering high-quality, relevant programmes across business, social sciences, computing, psychology, education, and related disciplines. The College’s academic provision is informed by applied research, close collaboration with employers, and a strong emphasis on learner success, flexibility, and innovation in delivery.
Consistent with the priorities set out in the NCI Strategic Plan NCI-Strategic-Plan-2022-2027, the College is focused on strengthening academic quality and reputation, ensuring long-term financial sustainability, advancing equity of access and participation, and securing its appropriate positioning and recognition within the Irish higher education landscape.
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In 2026, National College of Ireland celebrates 75 years of contributing to education, innovation and society.
National College of Ireland has a long history of driving innovation, supporting societal change and widening access to education.
Over the past seven decades, NCI has played a distinctive role in higher education in Ireland, particularly in serving learners from underrepresented and disadvantaged backgrounds, supporting part-time and adult learners, responding rapidly to labour market needs, and contributing to economic and social development through education, research, and enterprise.
Campus Building Open
Campus Building Open
The President is the most senior executive and academic leader of National College of Ireland. Reporting to the Chairperson on behalf of the Governing Body, the President is the Chief Officer and accountable person for the College and is responsible for providing excellent organisational, academic, strategic, and operational leadership to advance NCI’s mission to change lives through education.
The President will lead NCI through its next phase of development as a mission-driven higher education institution, ensuring excellence in teaching, learning, research, and equity of access and participation, while maintaining financial sustainability and national and international relevance. The successful candidate should be able to anticipate and respond to future developments in higher education, ensuring that NCI is prepared and well-positioned and sustainably funded to meet these changes.
A central priority of the role is to secure NCI’s distinctive position within higher education, equity of operational funding relative to other HEA Institutions, achieve Delegated Authority to award qualifications directly, and attain Designated HEA Institution status, thereby positioning NCI appropriately and sustainably within the Irish higher education system.
The President will also act as a high-profile national advocate for NCI, articulating its distinctive academic value, societal impact, and contribution to learners, employers, policymakers, funders, other stakeholders and the wider public.
NCI’s purpose-built Mayor Square campus is spread over 20,440 square metres and f ive storeys, accommodating the Students’ Union, a restaurant, lecture theatres, labs, and our unique Cloud Competency Centre, under the same roof as support staff and lecturer offices. Less than a five-minute walk away, just 300 metres along the Luas track, NCI’s new Spencer Dock building has been refurbished to provide an additional 5,600 square metres, delivering an expanded library and multi-functional learning spaces.
The Kelly Theatre is an impressive 270-seat lecture hall, which is used for both college and public events. The College also has three additional tiered theatres, a range of purpose-built studio classrooms and a number of well-appointed and cutting-edge computer labs.
The heart of student life is the Students’ Union, which offers Playstation and Xbox, pool tables, table tennis, TV, music, movies, gigs and more. It is a great place to chill out in between or after classes, meet friends both old and new, and generally make the most of college life. Even better, explore some of the many clubs and societies on campus (see p18 for more).
The library is a modern facility with over 300 reading spaces, library seminar rooms and extensive IT facilities. It offers a complete range of information and research services to students. An extensive range of books, journals and reference materials is also available.
Local sports pitches and swimming facilities are available for NCI students, sports clubs and societies. We also have an extremely wellequipped gym on campus. Facilities include:
The Giraffe childcare facility on campus aims to provide the highest standard of care through a purpose-designed day care centre. The facility offers boundless opportunities to learn through creativity and play.
This is a colourful outdoor seating area at our IFSC campus that plays host to numerous college events. It is a great place to enjoy some fresh air and sunshine between classes.
NCI is pleased to offer a sensory room as part of our autism-friendly status. This facility allows students an opportunity to cater for their sensory needs whilst at college and is part of our commitment to supporting neurodiversity at NCI.
To change lives through education.
NCI will provide an inspiring educational experience that is innovative, responsive and enterprise focused.
The National College of Ireland will be supported in this appointment process by the executive search firm Perrett Laver. Enquiries can be made directly to Callum Conway ([email protected]).
Applications should consist of a full curriculum vitae detailing academic and professional qualifications and experience. CVs should be accompanied by a covering letter describing briefly how candidates meet the criteria outlined in the job description, why the appointment is of interest and what they believe they can bring to the role.
Completed applications should be uploaded HERE quoting reference 8414.
The closing date for applications will be 5pm Wednesday 27th May 2026. Candidates who are longlisted by the Committee will be invited to first round interview with Perrett Laver in early June. Shortlisted candidates will be invited for formal interviews with the Selection Committee in late June/early July.
The appointment will be made subject to satisfactory references and the formal interview process may include additional assessments such as psychometric assessments.
As defined under the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) Perrett Laver is a Data Controller and a Data Processor, and our legal basis for processing your personal data is ‘Legitimate Interest’. For more information about this, your rights, and our approach to Data Protection and Privacy, please visit our website www.perrettlaver.com/information/privacy.
As Global Senior Partner, Sinéad is responsible for the long-term strategic development of Perrett Laver alongside the acceleration of its commercial growth.
During her ten years at Perrett Laver, Sinéad established and led the firm’s operations in Amsterdam and Dublin, while continuing to grow Perrett Laver’s Research, Technology and Innovation, and Higher Education practices across Europe.
Sinéad’s experience at Perrett Laver includes advising on senior executive and non-executive appointments for universities, public and privately funded research institutes, as well as research-oriented charities and non-profits.
Sinéad holds an honours degree in Natural Science from Trinity College Dublin and a PhD in Neuroscience from University College Cork.
