Chief Operating Officer

Brightwater Executive is delighted to be retained exclusively by Respond to appoint a Chief Operating Officer (COO), a pivotal new executive leadership role within the organisation.LocationHybrid position, with an expectation of in-person executive presence primarily in Dublin and Waterford.About RespondRespond is one of Ireland’s leading Approved Housing Bodies and service providers, with more than 40 years’ experience delivering homes and services across the country.Today, the organisation provides secure homes for more than 20,000 tenants across Ireland. Alongside housing development and tenant experience activities, they provide a range of services supporting more than 1,500 people. These include Early Learning and School Age Care Services, Family Support Services, Family Homeless Services and Day Care Services for Older People.Respond has grown significantly in recent years and continues to deliver an ambitious programme of new social and cost rental homes. With close to 500 employees working across the organisation, our scale, reach and impact continue to expand. As Respond enters its next phase of development, the organisation is strengthening their leadership and operational capability to ensure the organisation has the systems, structures and capacity required to deliver effectively at scale, while remaining focused on the people and communities they serve.About the PositionJob Purpose:The Chief Operating Officer (COO) is a pivotal new executive leadership role within Respond, with responsibility for the overall daily operation of the organisation across its multiple locations and for ensuring that its service functions work effectively together to support its social justice mission. Reporting directly to the CEO, the role will provide organisation-wide leadership for the effective delivery and integration of Housing, Development and Community Services, while helping to shape the operational capability required for Respond's next phase of growth and strategic development.The COO will ensure that operations are strategically aligned, efficiently managed and compliant with all statutory, regulatory and governance requirements. They will lead a strong culture of performance, service excellence, innovation and continuous improvement, with a clear focus on delivering high-quality outcomes, value for money and sustainable services as Respond grows in scale and complexity. The COO will also foster trusted relationships internally and externally, using influence, collaboration and constructive challenge to translate strategy into effective operational delivery.Three Directors will initially report to the COO, with a wider operational workforce of approximately 400 employees.This is a broad and strategically important role with responsibility for translating Respond’s ambitions into high-quality, sustainable and efficient operational deliveryKey responsibilities will include:

• Leading operational performance across housing, development and community services.
• Driving organisational transformation, service integration and continuous improvement.
• Reviewing structures, systems, budgets and resources to improve efficiency, productivity, service quality and value for money.
• Championing the effective use of technology, automation, data and analytics.
• Ensuring strong governance, risk management and regulatory compliance.
• Building high-performing leadership teams and strengthening organisational capability.
• Working closely with the CEO, Board and Executive Leadership Team on strategic priorities.
• Developing trusted relationships with Government Departments, Local Authorities, regulators, funders and sector partners.Experience/RequirementsRespond is seeking an accomplished senior leader with experience operating in a medium to large, complex organisation.You will bring:
• A strong track record of senior leadership across multiple functions.
• Significant experience leading organisational change and transformation.
• Strong project and programme management experience, including oversight of complex organisational, property or infrastructure programmes.
• The ability to translate strategy into clear operational priorities and measurable outcomes.
• Strong commercial judgement, with experience improving productivity, optimising resources and delivering value for money.
• Excellent communication, listening, influencing and negotiation skills, with the judgement to manage competing stakeholder needs and constructively challenge established practice.
• A proven ability to develop, coach and lead high-performing teams while maintaining clear accountability for delivery.
• The credibility to operate effectively with Boards, executive teams and senior external stakeholders.
• A strong commitment to social justice, equality and community empowerment.Experience in housing, property development, social or educational services, or working with Government and regulatory bodies would be advantageous. Knowledge of the Irish housing sector, AHB regulation, capital funding and tenant services, sustainability practices and/or a relevant professional qualification would also be beneficial.Why Join?This is a rare opportunity to join a mission-driven organisation at a pivotal stage in its development.As a newly created executive role, the COO will have significant scope to shape Respond’s future operating model, lead meaningful organisational change and strengthen the capability required to support continued growth.The role offers the opportunity to make a lasting organisational impact while contributing directly to Respond’s mission of addressing housing need and supporting individuals, families and communities across Ireland.RemunerationA competitive remuneration package, along with benefits will be offered commensurate with the successful candidate’s skills and experience.ApplicationsFor more information and a confidential discussion on this, please contact:Yvonne McNulty, Senior Partner, at Brightwater Executive at the following email address- RespondCOO@brightwaterexecutive.com and we will send you a copy of the Candidate Booklet.To apply please submit a CV and cover letter to the above email address by Closing date: Friday 30th October 2026 by 5pm