Organizer Information
The hosting organization is the Irish Museum of Modern Art (IMMA), Ireland's National Cultural Institution for Modern and Contemporary Art. Founded in 1991, IMMA is based in its historic home at the Royal Hospital Kilmainham in Dublin. IMMA connects audiences and art, providing an extraordinary space where contemporary life and contemporary art challenge and inspire one another. As a public sector employer, IMMA employs over 100 staff in a variety of roles, is home to the National Collection of Modern and Contemporary Art (over 4,900 artworks), and is committed to being an equal opportunities employer.
Title & Description
Chief Operating Officer (COO)
This is a strategic leadership opportunity to join IMMA’s executive team. The Chief Operating Officer is responsible for the overall effective and integrated management of the Museum's core operational and corporate services. This is a critical role that ensures the robust, cohesive, and efficient functioning of all support systems—including finance, governance, human resources, facilities, and visitor experience. The COO acts as a strategic partner to the Director and leadership team, ensuring that operational frameworks and resources are aligned with IMMA’s mission, values, and ambitious long-term goals for its exhibitions, collections, and learning programmes. The role requires a seasoned leader to manage complex contracts, oversee compliance, and drive organizational sustainability.
The Role Overview
- Salary: €89,432.00 per annum.
- Contract type: Permanent, Full-time.
- Reporting to: Typically reports to the Director or CEO (implied for a COO role).
- Fee: N/A (Salary-based employment position).
- Programme: The role supports the entire IMMA program, including all exhibitions, national collection management, education, and public engagement initiatives.
Position & Tasks
The Chief Operating Officer is responsible for overseeing and integrating several key institutional functions to achieve strategic objectives. Specific tasks include:
- Strategic Management: Providing strategic leadership and integrated management for all core corporate services.
- Finance Oversight: Managing the organization's financial health, financial planning, and oversight of public and private income streams.
- Governance & Compliance: Ensuring stringent adherence to legal, regulatory, and public sector governance standards and requirements.
- Operations & Facilities: Overseeing the strategic management of the Royal Hospital Kilmainham site, facilities operations, maintenance, and technical services.
- Human Resources: Leading the strategic HR function, organizational planning, and effective staff management for over 100 employees.
- Visitor Experience & Security: Managing the teams responsible for security, safeguarding the collection and assets, and ensuring a positive, safe visitor experience.
- Risk Management: Identifying and mitigating strategic and operational risks across the institution.
Categories
- Executive Leadership
- Senior Management
- Corporate Services
- Cultural Institution Administration
Eligibility
- General Eligibility: Open to professional candidates with significant senior management or executive experience.
- Experience: Candidates must have experience in a medium/large-scale organization, preferably with expertise in corporate finance, public sector finance, and strategic risk management. Experience in the cultural, heritage, or public sector is highly advantageous.
- Requirements: Must demonstrate strong financial acumen, strategic planning skills, and the ability to lead and manage multi-disciplinary corporate service teams.
Program Benefits
- Remuneration: Competitive salary of €89,432.00 per annum.
- Contract: Permanent, Full-time employment contract.
- Impact: Opportunity to hold a strategic leadership role at Ireland's National Cultural Institution for Modern and Contemporary Art, driving its future success and sustainability.
- Standard Benefits: Public sector employee benefits package (including pension and leave entitlements).
Application Fee
None
Application Requirements
While the full list is not detailed, applications for this senior role typically require:
- A comprehensive Curriculum Vitae (CV) / Resume detailing relevant experience.
- A detailed Cover Letter or completed application form addressing the specific selection criteria and demonstrating required competencies for a COO role.
How to Apply?
Online Application
Key Dates
- Application Deadline: 16 January 2026
Location
Dublin, Ireland
Additional Details
The successful candidate will be a critical part of the team overseeing the operational backbone of one of Ireland's most important cultural institutions. The position requires a high level of collaborative leadership to work effectively with curatorial, education, and development teams.