Chief Executive Officer – Freight Transport Association (FTA) Ireland

Purpose of the Position

The Freight Transport Association Ireland (FTAI), established in 2010, is a not-for-profit trade association focused on the freight distribution, logistics, and passenger transport sectors in Ireland. It was founded on the principle to provide expert guidance on fleet compliance and to represent industry interests. FTAI aims to promote a professional, compliant, and sustainable transport sector by collaborating with government agencies and stakeholders.

 

The association covers the movement of goods and people across road, rail, sea, and air. Its CEO leads initiatives like TruckSafe, VanSafe, and PassengerSafe, which emphasize safety, employee wellbeing, and operational excellence. FTAI also tackles major issues such as Brexit and post-Brexit trade, decarbonisation, sustainability, and workforce development. Additionally, the CEO oversees various services that enhance professionalism and compliance within the industry.

 

Leading the association with strategic vision, the CEO drives FTAI’s growth, ensuring it remains influential and responsive to the changing needs of its members.

 

Principal Accountabilities

• Report to the FTAI Board Chairman, Board Members, and FTAI Members.
• Communicate to the FTAI Board on business strategy implementation on a quarterly basis.
• Manage the FTAI team to ensure delivery of services and objectives.
• Develop positive relationships with key stakeholders to ensure the Association is best placed to represent member interests.
• Work with members and stakeholders to develop informative and relevant policy and service needs aligned with the Association’s strategy and update FTAI Council at quarterly meetings.

Principal Responsibilities

• Strategic Leadership & Business Development
• Vision, Strategy, and Planning
• Act as a strategic partner by developing and implementing high-quality business strategies and plans, ensuring their alignment with short-, medium- and long-term objectives.
• Provide strategic input and leadership in developing opportunities and investments to advance the business.
• Analyze business challenges and trends and provide effective solutions to ensure the company’s resilience.
• Maintain a deep knowledge of the competitive market landscape, opportunities for growth, and industry developments.

Organizational Growth and Innovation

• Work with the management team to introduce services that reflect membership and industry needs.
• Ensure the FTAI maintains high standards of social responsibility and adheres to legal guidelines and in-house policies to maintain the company’s legality and business ethics.
• Operational and Financial Management.

Oversight of Operations

Oversee all operations and business activities to ensure they produce the desired results and are consistent with the overall strategy and mission.
Responsible for the overall performance, management, and day-to-day running of the FTAI.

 

Financial Leadership

• Plan, develop, implement, and direct FTAI’s operational and financial functions and performance.
• Provide expert financial guidance and advice within the FTAI team and improve the planning and budgeting process on a continual basis.
• Review financial and non-financial reports to devise solutions or improvements.
• Organisational Culture and Team Leadership

Team Development

• Lead and motivate the FTAI team to advance employee engagement and develop a high-performing managerial team.
• Stakeholder Engagement and Communications.

External Relations

Network and engage with all relevant stakeholders, including government departments, politicians, policymakers, regulators, representative groups, and the media.

 

Public Representation and Advocacy

Communicate effectively and credibly to promote the FTAI and members’ interests, including in national and trade press and broadcast media.

 

Required Critical Skills / Behaviours

• Business Acumen
• Strategic Thinking & Delivery
• Influencing
• Performance through people
• Growth drive
• Adaptable and Resilient
• Visible leadership
• Communication & Collaboration
• Decision Making & Execution
• Change Leadership
• Excellent Communicator
• High Integrity

Professional Competencies

• Member-Focused Mindset – Deep understanding of transport, logistics, and supply chain issues; committed to delivering value for members.
• Political and Commercial Acumen – Navigates the political and regulatory landscape while ensuring financial sustainability.
• Strategic and Analytical – Comfortable making data-driven decisions and translating complexity into clear, actionable plans.
• Advocacy and Influence – Confident public spokesperson and policy influencer with demonstrated lobbying experience.
• Leadership skills – provide clear direction, motivation, commitment and enthusiasm to the team in order to create a culture of high team performance.
• Business Acumen – Demonstrated sound judgement with the ability to identify with the underlying sector challenges and set appropriate priorities.

Interpersonal & Organisational Strengths

• Relationship Builder – Collaborative and diplomatic, with strong networking skills across public, private, and member sectors.
• Team Developer – Proven ability to build, inspire, and retain talented teams.
• Inclusive Leader – Embraces cultural competence and promotes diversity, equity, and inclusion in all organisational activities.
• Excellent communication skills – both verbal and written, with strong public speaking skills, evidenced through engagements, including the media.
• Corporate Governance – In-depth knowledge and experience of corporate governance and general management best practices.

Required Qualifications/Experience

• Degree qualified in a business or engineering discipline (chartered status desirable).
• MBA qualification or equivalent experience preferred.
• Extensive experience in senior leadership positions with at least 10 years in a commercial and/or public enterprise or membership-based organisation, i.e., 10+ yrs.
• Broad commercial & sales awareness and customer facing experience.
• Demonstrated leadership and influencing skills.
• Experience of developing and implementing national/regional strategy.
• In-depth knowledge of legal & regulatory standards across all areas of the business.
• Experience of project management in both contracting and operating company environments.
• A member of a professional body.
• An understanding of the transport and logistics sector at a commercial and technical level will be beneficial.
• Experienced background in leading and developing a diversified team.
• In-depth knowledge of business and engineering principles and practices.
• Experience in preparing and managing operational budgets including P&L analysis and responsibility.
• Experience of setting and managing supplier contract agreements – third-party contractors.

A thorough understanding of the transport market on the island of Ireland and the role of the EU in that market would be beneficial, with a demonstrated ability to win the confidence of political and business leaders respecting distinctive national identities.

 

The role holder should have a flexible attitude with regards to their working hours and may be required to perform other duties commensurate with the role/level. This role is hybrid plus requirements for field-based duties including travel and overnight stays.

 

The role holder may be required to perform other duties commensurate with the role/level.

 

Health & Safety

FTAI expects all staff to maintain a positive attitude to health and safety in carrying out all responsibilities and to cooperate with the Health & Safety Policy and Codes of Practice relating to Health & Safety.

 

Equal Opportunities

FTAI is committed to providing a non-discriminatory and harassment-free working environment for all its employees.

 

Customer Care

It is essential to provide the highest standard of service at all times when dealing with members, colleagues, and stakeholders.

 

Candidate applications (CV and cover letter) to be forwarded to the following email address executivesearch@ftai.ie