Project Manager

The Opportunity

An opportunity has arisen for a suitably qualified professional to join The Wheel as Project Manager, leading the planning, delivery, and oversight of a cross-border initiative in partnership with a number of strategic cross-border organisations.

This role is part of the Empowering People to Engage with Information Technology (EP2EIT) Digital Communities project, funded under the PEACEPLUS programme by the Special EU Programmes Body (SEUPB). The project is focused on strengthening digital capacity, inclusion, and ICT engagement within rural and community settings across a cross-border context.

The Digital Communities project aims to support organisations and communities to enhance their digital skills, adopt innovative tools, and improve service delivery through technology. A key element of the project is fostering collaboration, community engagement, and knowledge-sharing across the island of Ireland, enabling participants to respond more effectively to emerging challenges and opportunities in an increasingly digital society.

As Project Manager, you will have overall responsibility for the strategic leadership, coordination, and successful delivery of the programme. This includes project planning, partnership development, stakeholder engagement, and ensuring compliance with all funder requirements. You will also oversee monitoring, evaluation, and reporting processes, while maintaining appropriate financial oversight in collaboration with internal finance supports.

This role offers the opportunity to contribute to a significant all-island initiative, supporting the development of digitally enabled, inclusive, and resilient communities, while ensuring the project delivers measurable outcomes and leaves a sustainable legacy within participating areas.

The Role

Position:      Project Manager (EP2EIT/ Digital Communities Project)

Location:     Dublin 8 (Hybrid with travel within and to the UK required at times)

Note that only candidates based in and authorised to work in Ireland will be considered.

Reporting to:  Director of Development and Member Services (The Wheel)

ROLE PURPOSE

The Project Manager will have overall responsibility for the planning, delivery, monitoring and reporting of a PeacePlus funded programme aimed at improving digital capacity and ICT engagement in rural communities.

The postholder will work closely with the Director of Development and Member Services , the Finance Manager, Project Officer delivery staff and external stakeholders to provide strategic leadership, community engagement, partnership development and financial oversight to ensure the project delivers measurable outcomes, meets funder requirements, and leaves a sustainable legacy within participating communities.

MAIN RESPONSIBLITIES AND DUTIES

The responsibilities include, but are not limited to the following:  

Project Leadership & Delivery

• Lead the day-to-day management and delivery of the EP2EIT/ Digital Communities project.

• Develop and implement detailed project plans, timelines and work programmes.

• Ensure project outputs, outcomes and milestones are achieved within agreed timeframes.

• Manage project risks, issues and change requests in line with best practice.

Team Management

• Line manage project staff, including Project Workers and administrative staff.

• Provide leadership, supervision, mentoring and performance management.

• Coordinate external consultants, trainers or contractors where required.

Community & Stakeholder Engagement

• Build and maintain strong relationships with rural communities, project partners, community organisations and local stakeholders.

• Act as the primary point of contact for partners, funders and key stakeholders.

• Support communities to co-design and implement local digital initiatives.

Partnership & Strategic Development

• Develop partnerships with public bodies, voluntary organisations, education providers and the private sector.

• Identify opportunities to leverage additional funding, resources or support.

• Represent the project at meetings, events and networks at local, regional and national level.

Financial Management

• Manage the project budget in line with funder and organisational requirements.

• Monitor expenditure, prepare financial reports and support audit processes.

• Ensure value for money and compliance with procurement rules.

Monitoring, Evaluation & Reporting

• Develop and implement monitoring and evaluation frameworks.

• Collect, analyse and report on qualitative and quantitative project data.

• Prepare high-quality progress reports, final reports and supporting evidence for funders.

• Ensure compliance with funding agreements, policies and procedures.

Governance & Compliance

• Ensure compliance with relevant policies, including data protection, safeguarding, health & safety and equality.

• Support governance structures, including Project Management Board, steering groups or advisory committees.

PERSON SPECIFICATION

Essential criteria

Experience

• Proven experience (5 years +) managing funded projects or programmes, ideally in community development, digital inclusion, rural development or related fields.

• Experience of managing budgets and reporting to funders.

• Experience of partnership working across public, private and voluntary sectors.

• Experience managing staff or project teams.

Skills & Competencies

• Strong project management and organisational skills.

• Excellent communication, presentation and report-writing skills.

• Ability to engage effectively with communities and senior stakeholders.

• Strong problem-solving and decision-making skills.

• High level of IT literacy and confidence using digital tools.

Knowledge & Understanding

• Understanding of digital inclusion, ICT capacity building or community development.

• Understanding of rural communities and the challenges they face.

• Knowledge of grant-funded programme requirements and accountability.

Other Requirements

• Willingness to travel within the project area.

• Full driving licence and access to a vehicle (where applicable).

Desirable criteria  

• Relevant third-level qualification in project management, community development, ICT, social sciences or a related field.

• Formal project management qualification (e.g. PRINCE2, PMP or equivalent).

• Experience working on national or EU-funded programmes.

• Experience contributing to funding applications or programme design.

Behavioural Competency Framework: 

The Wheel uses a Behavioural Competency Framework as a key cornerstone of its performance management processes. The priority behavioural competences identified for this role are:  

• Collaborative Working: Co-operates with others and participates outside of own work area, seeks to understand fully the work of the organisation, willingly offers support where needed. Creates a friendly work environment where any conflicts can be resolved amicably. 

• Open Communications: Listens attentively, speaks clearly and to the point, and responds positively to questions. Uses relevant building/linking to improve on what has been said. 

• Quality: Pays attention to detail to produce high quality work; Is concerned with good outputs and thinks ahead to consider what is needed. Sets quality targets and aims to reach them; drives commitment to high quality work and ensures this through quality review processes.  

• Adaptability: Understands, accepts and adapts to change quickly, finding new ways of working while continuing to be productive and effective; Responds with enthusiasm & communicates clearly.   

• Leadership:  Seek and find new approaches and options to reach organisational goals and motivate others towards those goals. 

Successfully shortlisted applicants will be provided with the Behavioural Competency Framework prior to interview.  This will form the basis of the interview. 

Key Information about this role

This is a fixed term position with The Wheel offered for three years as per the current funding. This may be extended, subject to the funding at the time. The Wheel’s offices are currently located in Dublin 8. 

This contract is for 36-hour week and salary is payable monthly in arrears.

The Wheel both offers and expects flexibility in terms of hours and location of work for a role such as this and the remuneration and benefits package offered reflects this.

The pay band for Manager level posts in The Wheel is €49,000 to €68,000

We anticipate that the salary for this role will be within the lower quartile of that band.

The Wheel offers the following benefits in addition to salary

• A 6% employers' contribution to a company contributory pension scheme (subject to a 4% employee contribution). Participation in the pension is mandatory, but a lower contribution option is available.

• Annual Leave of 25 days

• Closure of the office on Good Friday, Christmas Eve and the Christmas / New Year period which comes additional to annual leave entitlement

• Death in Service benefit of four times salary

• Access to our Employment Assistance Programme with HSF Assist

• Working hours 9-5:30pm Monday to Thursday and 9-4pm on Fridays

• Further Education / Training and learning investment programme

• Professional subscriptions (as applicable)

• Travel (bike-to-work schemes/tax saver commuter tickets)

• The Wheel operates a hybrid work environment, with a blend of remote and in-person work.  Please note specific location requirements outline above occasional attendance in the office may be rquired for meetings and staff days.

• Volunteering leave- up to 3 days per year

• Fully paid Maternity/Paternity Leave subject to service tenure requirements

A complete list of all the terms and conditions will be made available to the candidate offered the role through The Wheel’s Staff Handbook.

Shortlisting will apply.

About The Wheel

The Wheel is Ireland’s national association of community and voluntary organisations, charities and social enterprises. We are a registered charity in Ireland and are unique in our role as a ‘one-stop-shop’ for anything related to the charity and non-profit sector.

‘Our Vision is a thriving community and voluntary sector at the heart of a fair, just and inclusive Ireland.’

We are an authoritative and trusted voice for the sector, and we are enthusiastically committed to transparency, accountability, and the highest standards of practice and governance. Together, we work to ensure that the sector is recognised and respected, adequately resourced and appropriately regulated.

Learn more about who we are here https://www.wheel.ie/