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 are looking to appoint its next President to lead them in 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.
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. 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.
The successful candidate will bring a strong academic track record and credibility to lead on academic quality, standards and integrity, alongside senior leadership experience with accountability for strategy, performance and organisational delivery. They will demonstrate a strong understanding of higher education systems, including governance, quality assurance and public funding, and a track record of organisational growth, transformation or strategic repositioning. The role requires financial and commercial acumen, experience managing budgets, and the ability to build strategic partnerships across government, industry and international stakeholders, including engagement with policymakers and funding bodies. The candidate will bring a data-informed approach to decision-making, sound judgement in navigating complexity and change, and an inclusive leadership style, with the presence and communication skills to represent the College effectively with its Governing Body and at national level.
NCI will be supported in this appointment process by the executive search firm Perrett Laver. Enquiries can be made directly to Callum Conway, callum.conway@perrettlaver.com and further information and full applications can be made to https://perrettlaver.com/national-college-of-ireland-president/. The closing date for applications will be 5pm GMT, Wednesday 27th May 2026.