Technology Operations Lead - Operations Systems Support

Position Description The Operations Systems Support (OSS) team within ESB Networks' Distribution Markets and System Operations (DMSO) function are seeking to fill the role of Technology Operations Lead. The role of the OSS team is to support and maintain ESB Networks mission critical OT systems enable the monitoring, control, and management of Ireland's electricity distribution network. These include Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition (SCADA), Electricity Distribution Network Management System (NMS) and Geographic Information System (GIS). These systems support real-time network operations, outage management, fault response, service restoration, and data exchange across multiple business and operational platforms. This role provides a unique opportunity to lead technologies that form part of Ireland's critical national infrastructure. You will work at the forefront of Operational Technology, supporting the operation and transformation of the electricity network as ESB Networks delivers the systems required for increased renewable generation, network flexibility, electrification and the transition to a net-zero future. The successful candidate will have the opportunity to lead highly skilled technical team and contribute directly to the future operation of Ireland's energy system. The Technology Operations Lead is responsible for leading a multi-disciplinary team that supports and manages ESB Networks' critical OT platforms, including NMS, SCADA, and associated infrastructure. The role provides technical and operational leadership across applications, databases, integrations, backup and recovery, and platform services, ensuring these mission-critical systems remain available, resilient, and fit to support the safe and reliable operation of the electricity distribution network. The Technology Operations Lead drives operational excellence, continual service improvement, and technology modernisation across the OT estate. The role is accountable for delivering system enhancements, supporting strategic programmes, managing operational risk, and ensuring technology services evolve in line with business objectives. Success requires the ability to balance the stability and performance of existing platforms with the introduction of new capabilities, while building strong collaboration across IT, OT, vendors, and business stakeholders in a highly critical operational environment. Key Responsibilities Technical Leadership & Team Management - Lead and manage a high-performing Technology Operations team supporting critical OT systems. - Provide technical leadership, coaching, and mentorship to develop capability across established IT disciplines and emerging OT skillsets. - Manage team performance, workload prioritisation, resource allocation, and service delivery outcomes. - Promote a culture of accountability, continuous improvement, knowledge sharing, and operational excellence. OT Systems Support & Service Delivery - Oversee the support, maintenance, enhancement, and lifecycle management of NMS, SCADA, and other critical OT platforms, ensuring systems remain secure, resilient, highly available, and aligned to business requirements. - Manage associated infrastructure, databases, applications, and OT architectures. - Govern business requests and system changes, ensuring appropriate prioritisation, impact assessment, and change control. Service Reliability, Resilience & Security - Ensure high levels of service availability, reliability, cyber security, business continuity, disaster recovery, risk management, and operational compliance across OT environments. - Manage operational risks and ensure compliance with security policies, standards, and governance requirements. - Oversee backup, recovery, business continuity, and disaster recovery capabilities while proactively monitoring system performance to enhance service reliability, resilience, availability, and overall service quality. Operational Excellence & Continuous Improvement - Drive service management best practices, continuous improvement initiatives and operational efficiency across technology services. - Manage and troubleshoot systems incidents and problems. Systems Integration & Data Management - Manage the development, support, and maintenance of interfaces between OT platforms, ESB enterprise systems, and third-party solutions. - Support the enhancement and ongoing development of OT systems - Oversee data management activities across OT environments, including data quality, integrity, availability, and governance. - Manage data housekeeping and environment refresh activities. - Support the development and enhancement of reporting that enable effective operational decision-making. Collaboration & Project Delivery - Support the delivery of strategic projects, technology upgrades, and enhancements. - Ensure successful transition of projects and new services into operational support. - Work closely with application teams to support testing, releases, upgrades, and system changes. - Manage relationships with vendors, suppliers, and delivery partners to ensure service quality and technical alignment. Knowledge Management & Capability Development - Establish and maintain effective knowledge management practices, documentation standards, and organisational capability development through structured training and skills enhancement. - Oversee the creation, maintenance, and governance of technical documentation, interface specifications, standard operating procedures, configuration records, and operational runbooks. - Support the structured development and upskilling of IT resources working within OT environments. Essential Knowledge, Skills And Experience - Minimum of 8 years' post-graduate experience in Computer Science, Information Systems, or a related discipline. - Experience supporting and managing mission-critical OT and/or IT systems with high availability, resilience, and real-time operational requirements. - Proven experience leading and managing technical teams within complex IT and OT environments. - Strong leadership, coaching, mentoring, and people development skills, with experience building high-performing teams and fostering a culture of accountability and continuous improvement. - Experience managing 24/7 operational support models, service delivery, resources, priorities, and stakeholder expectations in demanding operational environments. - Ability to lead teams during major incidents, manage complex cross-functional issues, and drive operational improvements through metrics, insights, and performance monitoring. - Strong understanding of OT system architectures, infrastructure, databases, applications, system integrations, and IT/OT convergence. - Strong knowledge of IT Service Management (ITSM) principles and best practices, including Incident, Problem, Change, and Configuration Management. - Experience managing interfaces and integrations between OT systems, enterprise applications, vendors, and third-party platforms, including knowledge of APIs, middleware technologies, and data exchange solutions. - Experience in identifying, assessing, and mitigating operational, technology, and cyber security risks within critical infrastructure environments. - Understanding of enterprise architecture principles, technology governance frameworks, and the alignment of technology solutions with business objectives, operational requirements, and security standards. - Experience working with vendors, suppliers, and external delivery partner - Experience delivering technology projects, upgrades, and enhancement programmes, including transitioning solutions into operational support while maintaining service stability. - Experience managing the transition of projects into operational support. - Experience developing and maintaining technical documentation, operational procedures, support models, and knowledge repositories. - Experience supporting the upskilling of resources within operational or technology environments. - Excellent planning, organisational, communication, collaboration, influencing, and problem-solving skills, with the ability to manage multiple priorities, meet deadlines, develop technical capability across IT and OT disciplines, and work effectively in a structured, risk-aware manner. Desirable Knowledge, Skills And Experience - Experience working with SCADA and NMS or similar OT systems - Experience working with Electrical Utility Network Data Models - Experience in software development, programming and scripting Reporting to Operations Systems Support Manager Location ESB Networks, Leopardstown Road, Dublin 18 Smart Working at ESB is designed to make ‘in-person’ time together as purposeful as possible while also enabling the effective use of digital tools and hybrid arrangements to preserve our commitment to flexibility. The successful candidate may work flexibly within the jurisdiction where they have been employed, with attendance at the workplace for in-person collaboration at least two days per week. All Smart Working arrangements are subject to regular review based on the operational requirements of the role, the team, and the business. Why Work with Us? - Opportunity to lead Ireland’s transition to net zero carbon future - Career development through mentoring and training - Corporate Social Responsibility Opportunities - Sports and Social Clubs - Networking opportunities - Credit Union - Generous Pension - Access to staff well-being programmes - Generous parental leave entitlements - Strong values-based and inclusive culture - Strong commitment to diversity, equity and inclusion - Great team environment working to our Core Values: Courageous, Caring, Driven and Trusted Salary €71,000 to €84,000 per annum Closing Date 22nd October 2026 Interview Candidates who are shortlisted for interview will complete a Behavioural Interview based on each of the following Behaviours, which underpin how we work at ESB and are critical to delivering our strategy: - Accountable and Ethical - Collaborative - Growing and Adaptive - Proactive - Respectful and Supportive More information available on Our People Promise Notes - Your application will be held in reserve for 6 months should you be suitable for the role. - The successful candidate will be required to evidence their right to work in the Republic of Ireland prior to commencement of employment.