Head of Unit - Antitrust

Our client the Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (CCPC) is seeking a Head of Unit – Antitrust.

Division Overview

The Antitrust Division delivers the CCPC’s administrative competition enforcement function as it relates to vertical and unilateral conduct. The Division investigates suspected breaches of competition law relating to anticompetitive agreements and concerted practices between firms at different levels of the supply chain (i.e. vertical conduct) and abusive conduct by firms with a dominant position in the market (i.e. unilateral conduct).

These investigations are undertaken under the new administrative competition enforcement regime introduced by the Competition (Amendment) Act . As a result of new powers conferred by that Act, the CCPC – through independent adjudication officers – can impose administrative financial sanctions (fines) on businesses found to have breached competition law.

The Division operates a screening and case pipeline function to identify and review potential problems in markets which may require further action or investigation.

The Division is also responsible for the CCPC’s functions arising from the EU Digital Markets Act (Regulation (EU) / ) (“DMA”) and the European Union (Contestable and Fair Markets in the Digital Sector) Regulations (S.I. No. / ).

The Antitrust Division represents the CCPC at European Commission Advisory Committee meetings and participates in European Competition Network (ECN) working groups.

The Role :

As Head of Unit, you will be responsible for leading and managing a team with different experiences and skillsets and ensuring the successful delivery of competition investigations. Your role will be to lead the team of Senior Analysts and Analysts, driving cases forward, gathering evidence and leading on the identification, articulation, and interrogation of theories of harm.

You will also work with others in divisional management to supervise the development of potential investigations by managing Senior Analysts and Analysts working on complaint files or ex-officio scoping.

As a member of the divisional Senior Management Team, you will provide leadership and support to the team, contributing to building capacity and capability and continuously ensuring a positive, proactive, and collegial Division. You will work closely with both the Deputy Directors and the Director, to ensure the successful functioning of the Division and provide support where needed, as well as working closely with colleagues across the CCPC to deliver on the organisation’s objectives.

In addition to the immediate appointment from this campaign, an order of merit may be established. This may be used to fill any future vacancies at the same level within this or other Divisions of the CCPC where roles have similar responsibilities and / or similar skills are required.

The Successful Candidate :

The successful candidate will possess strong analytical skills and critical thinking skills, and a proven ability in leading teams to assess evidence and information, drawing robust conclusions and making well-reasoned recommendations / decisions. They will lead the team in devising and applying appropriate frameworks / tests to effectively assess issues based on precedent, and sound legal and economic principles. They will be able to express analysis to CCPC senior management, parties under investigation, and adjudication officers in a way that is coherent, compelling, and convincing.

They will have experience of their analysis being subject to, and withstanding, legal and economic scrutiny. They will be able to see the full picture in their cases and understand which issues in a case should be prioritised or emphasised.

The successful candidate will be proactive, inquisitive, and resourceful – they will lead the team in developing cases, identifying evidential gaps and devising an approach to address these gaps, including identifying sources of information, evidence, and data to progress the case.

As the successful candidate may have multiple cases ongoing at any one point in time, they will need to be experienced in managing and prioritising not only their own work but also the work of their team(s). The successful candidate will have a strong grasp of the principles behind case and project management, ensuring that investigations are progressed in accordance with agreed timelines and fair procedures.

The successful candidate will be enthusiastic, ambitious, and proactive – driven to deliver for the CCPC and consumers. They will have the ability to motivate and support their team to achieve the objectives and priorities of the Division.

In addition to the immediate appointment from this campaign, an order of merit may be established. This may be used to fill any future vacancies at the same level within this or other Divisions of the CCPC where roles have similar responsibilities and / or similar skills are required.

Key Responsibilities :

• Lead on assigned investigations into breaches of competition law, including leading team(s) of Senior Analysts and Analysts.
• Lead on developing of theories of harm, delivery of investigative approaches in gathering evidence, the assessment of evidence in relation to potential breaches of competition law.
• Lead on the drafting and reviewing of documents prepared by the team by providing substantive input where appropriate.
• Manage and progress competition investigations in line with project management processes and fair procedures.
• Manage continuous skills development of yourself and your team.
• Provide Divisional and organisation management with relevant, comprehensive and regular reports on competition enforcement cases and related issues as required.
• Contribute to, or lead, cross-divisional projects or work, as required.
• Represent the CCPC at international events and conferences.
• Other ad hoc duties as may be reasonably requested by the Director based on organisational need.

Essential :

A minimum of 2 years of relevant professional experience in at least one of :

conducting or responding to regulatory, compliance, criminal / civil or administrative investigations or similar enforcement actions;

economic analysis, consultancy, advice, research, or studies;

providing legal advice, analysis, or research; or,

public policy / regulatory analysis.

Knowledge of at least one of :

Irish / European competition law and policy;

competition economics / industrial organisation;

economic regulation / enforcement; or

other relevant regulatory / supervisory / enforcement frameworks.

Excellent verbal and written communication skills, including the ability to :

confidently present complex information, clearly, logically and persuasively;

encourage open and constructive discussions, both in case teams and cross-divisionally;

communicate effectively and confidently with a range of stakeholders; and,

draft robust, evidenced based decisions, and consider the wider implications of decisions.

Desirable :

Application Process :

To apply for this role using the link on the CCPC careers page, please submit an up-to-date CV and a cover letter, addressing your experience in gathering and assessing evidence and information, drawing a robust conclusion, and making a well-reasoned recommendation / decision (no more than words). Applicants should note that

canvassing will result in your exclusion from the process.

Role closes on Friday 11th July at 3pm.