Job Description

ESB Networks (ESBN) is responsible for building, operating, and maintaining Ireland’s electricity distribution system, enabling the transition to a low-carbon energy future.

As part of Price Review 6 (PR6), ESB Networks is delivering the largest investment programme in the history of the Irish electricity network, with a strong emphasis on digital and data-enabled transformation. This transformation requires the integration of data across business functions to support improved customer experience, enhanced network performance, and more efficient operations and more generally help create a Digital DSO of the future.

Over recent years, ESB Networks has significantly advanced its data capabilities — establishing governance, developing data platforms, and embedding data-driven use cases. As we move into PR6, data is now central to enabling value across the organisation, with a growing focus on treating data as a strategic asset.

To support this continued evolution, we are seeking a Senior Data Architect to play a key role in shaping and delivering and formalising our data architecture. The Senior Data Architect will lead the development and evolution of ESB Networks’ data architecture, ensuring alignment with our strategic objectives and PR6 commitments. This role will operate across both technical and business domains, engaging with a wide range of stakeholders to define scalable, interoperable, and value-driven data solutions.

Key Responsibilities

• Define and maintain the ESB Networks wide data architecture, aligned to PR6 objectives and transformation programmes.
• Develop and evolve data models, standards, and reference architectures to support integration across business functions.
• Working with the data governance manager, ensure data is managed as a strategic asset, including clear definitions for data ownership, quality, lifecycle, and governance.
• Work closely with business stakeholders to translate business needs into data architecture solutions.
• Collaborate with technical teams to guide implementation of data platforms, integration patterns, and analytics capabilities.
• Promote reuse, scalability, and consistency across data solutions, reducing duplication and improving data accessibility.
• Contribute to the development of data products and enterprise-wide data capabilities.
• Be the guardian of ESB Networks data to maximise the reuse of existing data in a structured but controlled and governed way. 
• Engage with external parties such as other utilities and industry bodies as required.
• Act as a thought leader in data modelling and keep up to speed on the evolving trends and approaches in this area.
• Ensure alignment with the Enterprise Services data management and data governance principles.
• Report on progress of data architecture implementation (as part of Data Strategy) on an on-going basis.
• Facilitate future data analytics use cases through standardisation of data structures, allowing maximum reuse and ultimately minimising /removing ‘local data silos’.
• Co-ordinate data architecture direction and decision across multiple projects. Each project will have a dedicated data architect to work on day-to-day implementation, but overall direction must come centrally
• Standardise data modelling in Networks data hub(s) and all future use cases within it.

Experience and Qualifications

Essential

• Degree or Masters in IT, Data or relevant discipline.
• Minimum of seven years working experience, ideally in a utility.
• Previous experience as a Data Architect or equivalent.
• Technical background in the use of data for solving business problem solving.
• Excellent communications skills.
• Stakeholder management is a key to the role. Successful candidate will be required to deal with stakeholders at all levels up to and including director.
• Ability to work as part of a team and be a self-starter with the ability to establish/drive the data architecture agenda across ESB Networks.
• Practical experience of data modelling from concept to physical design.
• Proven knowledge of data warehousing and data warehouse design process.
• In-depth knowledge of ETL design and build techniques.
• Experience with business intelligence, machine learning, and AI use cases.

Desirable

• Technical background in a data related field.
• Some working experience of SAP and GIS system.
• Some utilities knowledge particularly on the electricity Network side.
• Hands on experience writing SQL and/or database administration.
• ETL development experience for relational and multi-dimensional databases.
• Data Architecture on Microsoft Azure platform.

Location

This position will be based in ESB Networks, St Margaret’s Road, Finglas, Dublin 11.

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.

Reporting To

ESB Networks, Data & Analytics Manager

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 - €84,000 per annum

Closing Date

14th of July, 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 provide evidence of their right to work in the Republic of Ireland / UK prior to commencement of employment.