CEO – DISCOVER LIMERICK – CONTRACT
Background
Discover Limerick Designated Activity Company (DAC) is a special purpose vehicle established in 2022 as a wholly owned company of Limerick City & County Council to operate and develop key tourism attractions in Limerick. Its role is to strengthen Limerick as a visitor destination and attract increased visitor numbers.
Discover Limerick DAC is currently responsible for the operation of King John’s Castle, Adare Heritage Centre and Lough Gur Visitor Centre.
In addition to managing, planning investment and growth in these attractions, Discover Limerick DAC is also developing other visitor attractions. To deliver on this ambition, Discover Limerick DAC and is now seeking to hire a Chief Executive Officer (Maternity leave Contract) with a resourceful approach. They will have strong people skills and management, a sharp commercial approach and an ability to lead capital developments in 2026 & 2027.
The Position
The position of Chief Executive Officer is an exciting opportunity for an individual interested in making a significant contribution to enhancing visitor experiences in Limerick and driving tourism and economic development.
Discover Limerick DAC is now inviting applications from suitably qualified persons for this position for a maternity leave fixed term contract.
The successful applicant will report to the board of Discover Limerick DAC and will also work closely with relevant stakeholders including Limerick City & County Council. The CEO will be required to lead a multi-disciplinary team tasked with the day to day management of visitor attractions, the delivery of key Discover Limerick DAC projects and the overall governance of the company with the support and direction of the board.
Key Responsibilities
Strategic Management & Leadership
* Lead the strategic direction of the Company in line with the Company Strategy in conjunction with the Board of Discover Limerick DAC and its shareholder – Limerick City & County Council.
* Provide strong, decisive leadership to the senior management team, and support staff.
* Identify, shape and deliver the future growth opportunities for Discover Limerick DAC portfolio as best in class visitor attractions in partnership with key stakeholders.
* Strongly promote a culture focused on operational excellence, cost control, and productivity;
* Build, lead, maintain and motivate a high performing team through effective management, the empowerment of employees with clear accountabilities, open communications and the development and mentoring of staff
* Monitor the deployment of resources to ensure optimal outcomes of the team.
Relationship/Stakeholder Management
* Work in partnership with other visitor attractions in Limerick and the region to share best practice and encourage cross selling of attractions.
* Develop and maintain relationships with local, national and international tourism and industry colleagues.
* Overseeing all PR and media communications
* Work in partnership with key stakeholders and in particular Failte Ireland.
* Engage and represent the Company with a range of stakeholders including trade customers, representative organisations and statutory agencies.
Commercial/Business Development
* Deliver sustainable financial model for the activities of the company.
* Meet key objectives including excellent customer care, visitor enjoyment, profitability, commercial sustainability, upgrading and maintenance of the attractions operated by the company.
* Develop an operating model based on efficient, flexible work practices with a particular focus on delivering outstanding levels of customer service.
* Lead the application process for funding from public, private and philanthropic sources.
* Devise and implement a promotional strategy for all visitor attractions operated by the company.
Capital & Business Model Development
* Lead on development of functional areas on each site, including full site upgrades as required. This will involve projects such as Masterplan dissemination, building fit outs to re-organise and refresh outdated spaces, to allow business model expansion and performance renewal of various business functions.
* Lead in compliance with the Irish Language Act.
* Lead out on programming and event development, appropriate to our sites, in line with the innovation impact of our strategy, focused on always on programming and education & engagement with new audiences.
Governance
* Report to the Board of Directors on the strategic and operational management for all company visitor sites and present bi-monthly detailed financial results comparing actual performance to budget.
* Oversee effective governance controls, in particular risk management, financial management and budgetary controls and procedures.
* Ensure public procurement requirements are fully complied with.
* Oversee that appropriate Company safety plans are in place and health and safety of staff at visitor sites managed by the company.
Financial
* Critically review the cost base to drive efficiencies and ensure the operating costs are focused on supporting the areas generating most value.
* Overview of the preparation and maintenance of annual budgets for each individual visitor site and ensure budgets are delivered in accordance with any identified plans.
* Ensure any capital investments are undertaken on time and within budget.
* Monitor and review monthly detailed financial results for each visitor site and implement any corrective action.
* Liaise with and manage individual tenants of units / service operators within sites as necessary to ensure lease / contract obligations are complied with.
The Individual
The successful candidate will have outlined within their application documentation:
* an understanding of, or the capacity to quickly acquire an understanding of, the tourism attraction industry
* a proven track record as a leader and senior manager in a complex, and preferably commercially focused organisation.
* excellent interpersonal and relationship management skills and the capacity to work effectively with a broad range of stakeholders in a constructive manner in their previous position(s).
* a proven experience in the management of teams and resources of significant scale.
* the necessary confirmation of possession of a current full class B drivers licence and access to own car
* written confirmation that they are a citizen of the European Economic Area (EEA)
Key competencies for the position
* Strategic Management & Leadership
* Delivering Quality Results
* Problem Solving & Decision Making
* Networking, Representing and Communicating Effectively
* Performance Through People
* Personal Effectiveness
Principle Condition of Service
Salary: Circa. €100,000 (depending on experience)
Hours of Work: 37 hours per week
Duration; 1 Year Contract
Location: Offices of Discover Limerick DAC, Cecil Street, Limerick
Annual Leave: 30 days per year
For further information and to apply for this role please forward up-to-date Resume in MS Word Format to richard@rlconsult.com or call Richard at 086-8333677
Please include details for 3 current Referees we can contact on your behalf
Applications close Monday 16th February 2026 at 17.00pm
Jobs at Richard Lynch Consulting.
Head of Operations and Visitor experience - Discover Limerick