Posted 05 June, 2026
CEO in UCD Professional Academy
University College Dublin
Dublin, Dublin, Ireland
Full Time
Reference: 893054893
CEO in UCD Professional Academy
About UCD Professional Academy
The UCD Professional Academy extends UCD's heritage of educational excellence to professionals looking to give their career an advantage. Successful completion of a UCD Professional Academy programme denotes a professional's specialist skills and practical business knowledge in their given area of study. Our programmes are a recognised asset for employers and a proven way for individuals to develop current, practical, career-enhancing expertise.
The Professional Academy is a wholly owned subsidiary company of University College Dublin, governed by a Board of Directors appointed by the President of UCD. While our certifications sit outside the traditional university award structure, our quality is overseen by an Academic Advisory Board, allowing UCD to stand over the standard of what we deliver.
We offer a broad portfolio of part-time, evening and online courses - spanning business, technology, marketing, finance, data analytics, cybersecurity and more - designed and delivered by industry-practitioner subject-matter experts. Our model combines academic credibility with practical, workplace-relevant skills, serving both individual learners and a growing base of corporate clients.
Role Purpose
Reporting to the President of UCD or her nominee and the Board of Directors, the Chief Executive Officer holds full responsibility for the leadership, strategic direction and operational and financial performance of the UCD Professional Academy.
The Chief Executive will deliver the organisation's five-year strategic plan - driving sustainable, profitable growth; expanding the corporate and subscription business; leading product innovation; and building the commercial infrastructure and data capability needed to scale - all while sustaining a culture of ambition, accountability and care, and safeguarding the quality and reputation associated with the UCD name.
Key Responsibilities & Strategic Priorities
1. Strategic Leadership & Governance
2. Financial Performance & Discipline
3. Corporate Growth & Customer Solutions
4. Leadership & Culture
5. Product Innovation
6. Commercial Infrastructure & Data Capability
We are seeking an accomplished, commercially-minded chief executive with the strategic vision and people leadership to take the Academy through its next phase of growth.
How to Apply:
Informal enquiries to Sean O'Driscoll, Athrú Consultancy Limited
Tel: +353 (0)1 4061924 (landline) or +353 (0) 87 220 2045 (Mobile) or Email: [email protected]
Interested candidates should contact the recruitment consultant, who can provide the
complete candidate pack, including the full role specification. Applicants should send a cover letter outlining their suitability for the role and a full Curriculum Vitae to the email address above.
Closing date for applications: 11th June 2026.
About UCD Professional Academy
The UCD Professional Academy extends UCD's heritage of educational excellence to professionals looking to give their career an advantage. Successful completion of a UCD Professional Academy programme denotes a professional's specialist skills and practical business knowledge in their given area of study. Our programmes are a recognised asset for employers and a proven way for individuals to develop current, practical, career-enhancing expertise.
The Professional Academy is a wholly owned subsidiary company of University College Dublin, governed by a Board of Directors appointed by the President of UCD. While our certifications sit outside the traditional university award structure, our quality is overseen by an Academic Advisory Board, allowing UCD to stand over the standard of what we deliver.
We offer a broad portfolio of part-time, evening and online courses - spanning business, technology, marketing, finance, data analytics, cybersecurity and more - designed and delivered by industry-practitioner subject-matter experts. Our model combines academic credibility with practical, workplace-relevant skills, serving both individual learners and a growing base of corporate clients.
Role Purpose
Reporting to the President of UCD or her nominee and the Board of Directors, the Chief Executive Officer holds full responsibility for the leadership, strategic direction and operational and financial performance of the UCD Professional Academy.
The Chief Executive will deliver the organisation's five-year strategic plan - driving sustainable, profitable growth; expanding the corporate and subscription business; leading product innovation; and building the commercial infrastructure and data capability needed to scale - all while sustaining a culture of ambition, accountability and care, and safeguarding the quality and reputation associated with the UCD name.
Key Responsibilities & Strategic Priorities
1. Strategic Leadership & Governance
2. Financial Performance & Discipline
3. Corporate Growth & Customer Solutions
4. Leadership & Culture
5. Product Innovation
6. Commercial Infrastructure & Data Capability
We are seeking an accomplished, commercially-minded chief executive with the strategic vision and people leadership to take the Academy through its next phase of growth.
How to Apply:
Informal enquiries to Sean O'Driscoll, Athrú Consultancy Limited
Tel: +353 (0)1 4061924 (landline) or +353 (0) 87 220 2045 (Mobile) or Email: [email protected]
Interested candidates should contact the recruitment consultant, who can provide the
complete candidate pack, including the full role specification. Applicants should send a cover letter outlining their suitability for the role and a full Curriculum Vitae to the email address above.
Closing date for applications: 11th June 2026.
