Wholesale Products Strategy Manager

ComReg Overview

We are the statutory body responsible for regulating electronic communications, postal and premium rate services in Ireland. We are a professional, multi-disciplinary organisation, operating in a dynamic telecommunications environment that is constantly evolving. Our Mission – at the heart of everything we do – is to facilitate the development of a competitive communications sector in Ireland that attracts investment, encourages innovation and empowers consumers to choose and use communications services with confidence.

Division overview 

Wholesale 

ComReg’s Wholesale Division is responsible for the regulation of certain wholesale electronic communications markets (fixed/mobile telecommunications, broadcasting transmission) in Ireland. ComReg is required to conduct periodic market reviews of such markets in order to assess the extent of competition within them and to decide whether regulatory intervention is required. The Division will impose obligations on any operator with market power obligations to provide access to its network to other operators. It also oversees the implementation of these obligations including using ComReg’s legal powers to enforce them. Additionally, ComReg has responsibility for ensuring compliance with competition law in the electronic communications sector basis.

Team Overview 

Wholesale Products

One of the Wholesale Products team’s key responsibilities is the oversight of the development and maintenance of Wholesale Regulated Access Products (‘RAP’) in regulated markets. The team engages with the telecommunications industry on issues arising from the development, supply and maintenance of Fixed Networks products and services. The scope of the Wholesale Products team responsibilities is continuously developing in alignment with the ongoing evolution of telecommunications regulation.

The role and responsibilities 

The primary role of the Manager in the Wholesale Products team is to help ensure effective access to regulated networks (principally Eircom’s). This includes identifying potential competition problems and design appropriate regulatory obligations including from a technical/engineering perspective; manage a team of subject matter experts with process and technical expertise in providing advice and support to ComReg and lead ComReg’s involvement in inter operator matters generally.

The role involves detailed analysis of wholesale telecoms products and processes from a range of perspectives including process, regulatory compliance, systems, technical and market impact perspectives, all in support of the Wholesale Division’s objectives. The successful candidate will support the analysis of regulated markets, including the preparation of ComReg consultations and provides support for ComReg’s regulatory compliance and governance.

Central to the role will be expertise in active fixed network products and related process specification. The successful candidate’s analysis will be key inputs to ComReg Wholesale Division’s decision making at both an Operational and Strategic levels.

Responsibilities include: 

• Monitoring the day to day interactions between SMP operators and access seekers to ensure wholesale access products are delivered effectively and on a non-discriminatory basis.

• Identifying potential competition problems and designing and drafting wholesale access regulatory obligations as part of ComReg’s market analyses process.

• Overseeing adherence to SMP obligations as they apply to the development and operation of regulated wholesale access products.

• Leading ComReg oversight of regulated new technology or service roll out or legacy service withdrawal from a technical /engineering perspective.

• Leading the Wholesale Products analysis of and strategy and actions in implementing key elements relevant European Regulations.

• Providing advice on technical engineering matters relating to Wholesale access and other relevant matters, and procuring and managing the provision of external advice, where required.

• Reviewing issues arising in the Irish telecommunications market and making recommendations supported by detailed analysis.

• Liaising with relevant stakeholders including industry, other National Regulatory Authorities (‘NRAs’) and the European Commission.

• Co-ordinating a wide group of ComReg specialists including legal, economic, financial and engineering staff to achieve objectives.

• Monitoring technology evolution as it pertains to regulated markets.

• Leading, managing and motivating the Wholesale Products team.

• Drafting and publishing consultations and decisions.

Qualifications and Experience required 

Essential 

• A degree in a telecommunications related area or similar. However, candidates with demonstrably strong analytical skills, preferably in an engineering area, will also be considered.

• Work experience in a telecommunications operator, telco networks vendor, cloud service provider or consultancy environment in a technical engineering role.

• Practical knowledge of fixed telecommunications networks and fixed network access products.

• Demonstrable analytical skills.

• Ability to use initiative and work pro-actively, balanced with an understanding of when and how to communicate and keep managers and stakeholders informed.

• Demonstrable experience of working in a process-based environment.

• Experience in participating in and leading multi-disciplinary teams.

• Excellent written communications skills, with experience of preparing accurate and persuasive documents for external and/or internal audiences.

Desirable 

• Experience in a regulatory role.

• Insight into and understanding of emerging telecommunications network technologies.

• Practical project management experience.

• Experience in a drafting technical and/or process documentation.

• Practical knowledge of cloud and data architectures.

Core Competencies & Skills for the Role 

In addition to your technical qualifications and experience, you will bring professional competencies and skills in the following core areas:

• Analytical & Critical Thinking Objectively analyses and evaluates information in order to identify patterns between situations that are not obviously related. Develops and clearly articulates solutions to complex problems.

• Communicating & Influencing Communicates clearly, confidently and respectfully. Engages, persuades and convinces others to follow a particular course of action. Ensures all relevant parties are appropriately updated and notified.

• Decision Making & Judgement Effectively builds evidence base to support the decision-making process. Assesses alternative options. Uses judgement to adapt to specific and challenging requirements of the organisation.

• Strategy & Leadership Creates a climate of cooperation where people strive to achieve common organisational goals. Takes a broad view. Anticipates future developments and applies this to operational situations.

• Contextual Understanding Understands the regulatory, legislative, political, industrial, economic, societal and cultural environment within which ComReg operates. Uses this understanding to interact effectively. Considers the wider impact of actions and decisions.

• People Skills Uses interpersonal skills to create engagement and clarity. Manages conflict and implements practical solutions. Recognises the impact of own behaviour and adjusts as required. Actively develops others.

Our Package

We are offering an attractive package:

• Salary €84,531.22 – €105,680.24 * (Pay increases will be awarded annually subject to satisfactory performance)

• Dublin city centre location – IFSC

• Blended working environment – 2 days in the office (flexibility for more days may be required depending on business needs)

• 28 days Annual Leave per year increases with service

• Fully paid Maternity, Paternity and Parent’s leave

• Income protection scheme

• Education assistance and Training Opportunities

• Professional membership fee pay

• Attractive pension scheme

• ComWell Wellbeing Programme

• Travel tax saver scheme, Access to Cycle to Work Scheme

• Access to Employee Assistance Programme

• Access to a members run sports and social club

*(entry will be at the minimum point and the rate of remuneration may be adjusted from time to time in line with Government pay policy.)

Please Note (1)

We hope that our recruitment process supports applications from candidates with diverse backgrounds, experiences and perspectives. We understand that having a diverse workforce contributes to making us stronger as an organisation. We are committed to positively supporting candidates with disabilities.

Please let us know if there is any reasonable accommodations we can make to enable you to take part in the process by creating the environment to give you the best opportunity to show your strengths and competencies. Rest assured that whatever information you disclose will only be used to enable us to provide the necessary support and will never have a bearing on the outcome of the process.

Please Note (2)

ComReg assesses all applicants fairly based on the requirements for the role. Due to the high volume of applications we receive for positions, we are unable to provide feedback to candidates who are not shortlisted for interview. If you are short-listed for interview, and are subsequently unsuccessful, you can request verbal feedback from your recruitment contact – if you are represented by an agency.