Founded more than 70 years ago, RGDATA - The Retail Grocery Dairy & Allied Trades Association - is Ireland's longest established retail representative body, championing the interests of independent, family-owned grocery shops, convenience stores, forecourt stores and supermarkets nationwide. Representing over 3,000 members, the Association plays a central role in sustaining vibrant town centres and supporting community-based retail across Ireland. The independent retail sector accounts for over one third of the Irish grocery market and remains deeply embedded within towns, villages and urban communities throughout the country. Operating as a membership-funded organisation with a prudent and financially sustainable model, RGDATA is recognised as a trusted and authoritative voice with Government, Regulators, Policymakers, European Institutions and National Media, advancing the commercial viability and strategic positioning of independent retailers in a rapidly evolving landscape. THE POSITION The Director General will report to the President and Board of Directors and will hold full executive responsibility for the leadership, representation and day-to-day management of the Association within a lean organisational structure. Supported by a part-time Administrative Resource and external advisors as required, they will safeguard and advance the commercial interests of independent, family-owned retailers, ensuring the sector operates within a fair, competitive and sustainable policy and regulatory environment. Acting as principal spokesperson and chief advocate, the Director General will lead structured lobbying and political engagement at the highest levels, oversee the preparation of formal policy submissions, represent the Association across national forums and maintain a visible and credible media profile. The role requires strategic clarity, strong governance oversight, sound financial stewardship and the capacity to balance immediate sectoral pressures, including cost inflation and retail crime, with long-term positioning of independent retail within national economic and planning frameworks. PERSON SPECIFICATION The successful candidate will demonstrate a strong ability to lead a representative organisation, directed at serving the needs and requirements of members. This will include servicing, managing and growing a dynamic membership base and providing a strong representative and organisational management function to the members and other industry stakeholders, including suppliers and wholesalers. They will bring exceptional communication skills, executive presence and credibility as an organisational lead and a public spokesperson. High levels of integrity, discretion and personal accountability are critical, alongside financial literacy and experience working constructively with Boards. The appointee will be self-directed, resilient and capable of operating autonomously, with a clear appreciation of the realities facing independent, family-owned retailers and a commitment to sustainable, town-centre-first retail development. The successful candidate will demonstrate senior leadership experience ideally within a representative body, advocacy organisation, public affairs environment or comparable membership-based structure, with a proven record of influencing public policy in politically complex settings. They will possess strong political acumen, an understanding of legislative and regulatory processes and the judgement required to intervene strategically and effectively. Experience engaging with Government Departments, Regulators and Elected Representatives is important, while familiarity with retail, Small and Medium-Sized Enterprises or community-based enterprise sectors would be advantageous. HOW TO APPLY To apply, please submit a comprehensive Curriculum Vitae via the available 'Apply Option' in strictest confidence, for the attention of Mark Middleton, Partner, on or before 12 noon on Friday 13th March. For a confidential discussion please contact Principal Connections offices in strictest confidence. ADDITIONAL INFORMATION Principal Connections is acting as an employment agency and has been retained to manage this important appointment process. Principal Connections and our clients are committed to equality of opportunity in employment. Candidates for this post will be sourced through both an advertised selection and executive search process. Only applications submitted through the available online application options (or via the email address provided where a print advertisement) will be considered. Please note that any offer of employment will be made subject to satisfactory reference checks as well as any other background checks and/or assessments deemed appropriate to the process. By applying for this vacancy with Principal Connections, you accept the Term's & Conditions, Privacy Policy, and Cookies Policy which can be found on our website. ABOUT PRINCIPAL CONNECTIONS Principal Connections is a leading executive search and leadership consulting firm serving organisations across Ireland, the United Kingdom and internationally. We are also part of Agilium Worldwide LLC (Est. 1984), independently ranked one of the world's top global executive search groups. (55+ offices, 30+ countries, 250+ consultants). Visit our other Live Assignments Skills: DirectorGeneral Retail Government Lobbying Association SoleTraders
Principal Connections has been retained by a leading provider of specialist distribution services to business-to-business customers operating within high-value and highly regulated sectors including semiconductor manufacturing, pharmaceuticals, food production and industrial markets. The organisation partners with a portfolio of domestic and multinational clients embedded in complex, mission-critical supply chains. Recognised for operational excellence, technical depth and enduring customer relationships, the business is now poised to enter its next phase of strategic growth. THE POSITION The Managing Director for Distribution will report to the Chief Executive and hold full profit and loss accountability for a prominent distribution business serving a diverse, technically complex customer base. Leading a sizable team across Commercial, Warehousing and Administration, together with a broader indirect structure, the appointee will define and execute strategy while ensuring disciplined commercial performance and operational resilience. This is a pivotal executive leadership role balancing near-term performance delivery with the development of a scalable, governance-led service provider capable of sustaining long-term growth. The Managing Director will oversee revenue growth, margin optimisation, working capital management and investment prioritisation, while strengthening customer and supplier partnerships, enhancing supply chain capability, and ensuring the highest standards of regulatory compliance, safety and quality across a multi-sector distribution portfolio. REQUIREMENTS The successful candidate will bring proven experience in a Managing Director, General Manager or equivalent senior leadership role within a distribution, wholesale or supply-chain-led environment, with demonstrated ownership of significant profit and loss. They will have a strong track record of delivering profitable growth in business-to-business markets, ideally within regulated or operationally complex sectors. They will combine strategic clarity with operational credibility across logistics, inventory and supplier management, underpinned by strong commercial acumen in pricing, margin and customer profitability. A decisive and resilient leader, they will be comfortable leading established teams through change, challenging constructively at senior leadership and Board level, and building trusted stakeholder relationships across customers, suppliers, investors and executive colleagues. HOW TO APPLY To apply, please submit a detailed application, including a CV, outlining how you meet the requirements for this exciting role. Applications should be submitted via the available 'Apply Option' for the attention of Darren McCabe, Partner. For a confidential discussion, please contact Darren McCabe directly. ADDITIONAL INFORMATION Principal Connections is acting as an employment agency and has been retained to manage this important appointment process. Principal Connections and our clients are committed to equality of opportunity in employment. Candidates for this post will be sourced through both an advertised selection and executive search process. Only applications submitted through the available online application options (or via the email address provided where a print advertisement) will be considered. Please note that any offer of employment will be made subject to satisfactory reference checks as well as any other background checks and/or assessments deemed appropriate to the process. By applying for this vacancy with Principal Connections, you accept the Term's & Conditions, Privacy Policy, and Cookies Policy which can be found on our website. ABOUT PRINCIPAL CONNECTIONS Principal Connections is a leading executive search and leadership consulting firm serving organisations across Ireland, the United Kingdom and internationally. We are also part of Agilium Worldwide LLC (Est. 1984), independently ranked one of the world's top global executive search groups. (55+ offices, 30+ countries, 250+ consultants). Visit our other Live Assignments Skills: Managing Director General Manager Chief Executive Officer Chief Commercial Officer Chief Operating Officer
The Wheel is Ireland's national association of community and voluntary organisations, charities and social enterprises. Representing over 2500 members, from large well-known charities to smaller voluntary groups and social enterprises, the Wheel champions the role of Irish charities and community organisations in building a flourishing society. The Wheel supports the sector by providing advice, training, networks and other development opportunities to people working or volunteering in the charity and community sector and importantly represents the sector on significant issues and in a range of advisory groups established by government and policy-makers. THE POSITION Reporting to the Board of Directors, the Chief Executive will play a pivotal role in leading and overseeing the organisation's strategic direction, operational management, and compliance with regulatory standards. The successful candidate will manage and influence a diverse group of stakeholders and take responsibility for the public representation of the Wheel and its members. Leading a talented and committed team of 38 staff, the Chief Executive will continue to grow membership while enhancing financial resilience by developing impactful and sustainable services and revenue streams, to achieve its important vision of creating a thriving charity, community and social enterprise sector at the heart of a fair, just and inclusive Ireland. REQUIREMENTS Suitably qualified and interested candidates will be operating at or near Chief Executive standing with an exemplary track record of leadership in an organisation of relevant size, scale and complexity. The ideal candidate will be a credible advocate for the Wheel's mission and have appropriate financial acumen coupled with the experience of managing and developing high-performing teams. An exceptional communicator, the appointee will have a thorough understanding of the key issues affecting the charity, community, and voluntary sector in Ireland. Given the nature of the role, the appointee will be a fast learner, able to grasp complex issues quickly and explain them clearly to others. As well as possessing a high level of emotional intelligence, the post-holder must be a dynamic and visionary leader, with the capacity to engage, inspire, and influence all stakeholders. REMUNERATION A competitive remuneration package will be on offer to the successful candidate. HOW TO APPLY If you believe that you meet the requirements necessary to take on this important role, please submit a comprehensive Curriculum Vitae via the available 'Apply Option' in strictest confidence, for the attention of Eilish Devine, Partner of our retained executive search partners, Principal Connections - executive search on or before 12 noon on Friday 13th February 2026. For a confidential discussion please contact Eilish Devine on . ADDITIONAL INFORMATION Principal Connections is acting as an employment agency and has been retained to manage this important appointment process. Principal Connections and our clients are committed to equality of opportunity in employment. We adhere fully to the principles of the Employment Equality Acts 1998-2015 and the Fair Employment and Treatment (Northern Ireland) Order 1998. Candidates for this post will be sourced through both an advertised selection and executive search process. Only applications submitted through the available online application options or via the email address provided where a print advertisement will be considered. Please note that any offer of employment will be made subject to satisfactory reference checks as well as any other background checks and/or assessments deemed appropriate to the process. By applying for this vacancy with Principal Connections, you accept the Term's & Conditions, Privacy Policy, and Cookies Policy which can be found on our website. ABOUT PRINCIPAL CONNECTIONS Principal Connections is a leading executive search and leadership consulting firm serving organisations across Ireland, the United Kingdom and internationally. We are also part of Agilium Worldwide LLC (Est. 1984), independently ranked one of the world's top global executive search groups. (55+ offices, 30+ countries, 250+ consultants). Visit our other Live Assignments Skills: CEO Senior Executive Chief Executive
