Eibhlin O Connor
Grand Canal Dock, Dublin
Summary
Dynamic Chief Commercial Officer at Clúid Housing, recognised for exceptional strategic leadership and stakeholder engagement. Successfully leading a €450 million capital development investment programme annually, resulting in the delivery of over 1,500 homes last year. Proficient in risk management and sustainable design, with extensive experience in policy advocacy and implementing lean methodologies. Aiming to further drive impactful housing solutions and enhance community development initiatives.
Overview
27
27
years of professional experience
Work History
Chief Commercial Officer
Clúid Housing
Dublin
08.2023 - Current
- Executive member overseeing the operational performance of the business, contributing to the budget, business planning, risk management, and strategic direction.
- Spearheading the development of Clúid’s commercial growth strategy for 2026-2030, along with key stakeholder consultation, market insights, and demand analytics, is due to be completed in June.
- Leading on key stakeholder management and advocacy of Cluid's mission and growth ambition.
- Managing a team of 40 staff, leading Cluid's housing delivery of over 1,200 new homes a year. Overseeing the capital development expenditure of more than €450 million annually.
- Leading innovative procurement strategies for accelerated, high-quality housing delivery. Spearheaded Cluid's successful Developer Design and Build process with staged payments, increasing cost certainty, reducing risk, and ensuring guaranteed delivery. Now used sector wide.
- Led cross-sector partnerships to support Clúid’s mission of delivering high-quality, social, affordable and age-friendly housing.
- Champion of ESG principles, and long-term asset sustainability.
- Key spokesperson representing Cluid at conferences, contributor to the Department of Housing's strategic working group, and other organsations on housing policy.
Director
Lean Construction Ireland (LCi)
Ireland
01.2021 - Current
- Board member of a not-for-profit , thought leadership organisation promoting lean practices in construction.
- Led the development of the communication strategy for LCi to engage with the construction sector and key government policy decision-makers.
- Cultivated strong relationships with members, in particular, the residential development and construction sectors.
- Represented the organisation at industry events, conferences, public meetings, and facilitated webinars.
- Contributed to the continued growth and strategic direction of the business.
Head of Commercial Development
Clúid Housing
Dublin
05.2021 - 08.2023
- Deputised for the Chief Commercial Officer.
- Led the planning, procurement, and delivery of Clúid’s construction program.
- Managed commercial development risk, contract negotiations, and supplier performance.
- Oversaw capital expenditure budgets, team budgeting and project financial assessments.
- Held the role of Company Secretary, working with the Chair and members of the Board to ensure good governance, regulatory, and statutory compliance. Completed the first regulatory return for Cluid under the voluntary system.
- Pioneered commercial governance processes and procurement frameworks.
- Created Cluid's development procedural guide to ensure compliance with policy, procedure, statutory obligations, regulations, and best practice.
- Led cross-departmental teams to achieve company goals.
- Promoted continuous improvement methodologies within the team. Led the program for L&D for Commercial Development, ensuring that training was tailored to the needs of the team.
Head of New Business
Clúid Housing
Dublin
05.2019 - 05.2021
- Identified and secured new development opportunities across Ireland.
- Led feasibility assessments, site appraisals, and risk analyses.
- Built partnerships with local authorities, developers, and government agencies.
- Lead the delivery of large-scale regeneration projects.
- Managed complex construction claims on behalf of Cluid.
- Supported a team of architects, engineers, and quantity surveyors in the implementation of the construction program.
Senior Architect & Development Manager
Clúid Housing
Dublin
05.2011 - 01.2021
- Key stakeholder management with developers and local authorities to secure new opportunities.
- Provided guidance on best practices when it comes to architecture planning and execution.
- Delivered on-time, under-budget project design completion from conception through construction by overseeing programming, schematic and design development phases.
- Managed multidisciplinary design teams to deliver large-scale mixed-tenure schemes. Acted as the client representative to administer contracts.
- Awards: Building and Design Woman of the Year (2017), Retrofitting Project of the Year (2015).
Architect (Sole Trader)
EOC Architects
Dublin
01.2009 - 01.2011
- Delivered private, residential, civic design, and BER services.
- Offered Passive House design services.
- Collaborated with Redscape Ireland Ltd. and JDS Architects (Copenhagen) to win the Marina Park project competition in Cork City. Lead the tender submission and partnered directly with Redscape (Amsterdam office) in the design proposal.
- Various project works featured in architectural design publications.
Senior Architect Project Manager
Castlethorn Construction Ltd.
Dublin
01.2007 - 01.2009
- Managed the design and planning approval of large-scale residential and mixed-use schemes for the Hansfield strategic development zone and Pelletstown.
- Part of the senior management team at Castlethorn.
- Attended meetings with stakeholders throughout the duration of a project.
- Monitored design processes from conceptual phase through construction.
- Created oral and written presentations for project designs and proposals.
- Developed marketing materials and presentations to cultivate new opportunities.
Architect & Project Manager
Dublin Docklands Development Authority
Dublin
01.2002 - 01.2007
- Lead design architect for the Grand Canal Dock redevelopment, Northwall Quay urban design project, and DDDA HQ fit-out.
- Created oral and written presentations for project design proposals for DDDA Executive and Board.
- Developed plans and specifications for building and urban design projects to meet the needs of clients.
- Collaborated with engineers, surveyors and contractors on various aspects of construction projects.
- Key presenter of the DDDA mission to visiting international groups.
Architect
Horan Keoghan Ryan Architects
Dublin
01.1998 - 01.2002
- Project Architect for various commercial and residential projects, from feasibility design stage to construction completion.
- Project coordination led to the efficient completion of client objectives.
Education
MSc - Construction Law and Dispute Resolution
King’s College London
England 01.2018
Postgraduate Diploma - Construction Law & Contract Administration
Trinity College Dublin
Dublin City01.2013
BArchSc & Diploma - Architecture
Technological University Dublin
Dublin City01.1998
Skills
- Strategic Leadership
- Stakeholder management
- Governance and regulatory compliance
- Public procurement
- Construction law and dispute resolution
- Risk management
- Sustainable design standards, architecture, planning, and urban design
- Stakeholder engagement
- Lean and continuous improvement
- Project management
- Market insights and demand analysis
- Policy advocacy
- Financial acumen
- Analytical thinking
- Green belt, Lean Six Sigma
- Public speaking
Affiliations
- Chartered Member, Royal Institute of the Architects of Ireland (RIAI)
- Director, Lean Construction Ireland (LCi)
- Director, OMC at Gallery Quay, Grand Canal Dock
Timeline
Chief Commercial Officer
Clúid Housing
08.2023 - Current
Head of Commercial Development
Clúid Housing
05.2021 - 08.2023
Director
Lean Construction Ireland (LCi)
01.2021 - Current
Head of New Business
Clúid Housing
05.2019 - 05.2021
Senior Architect & Development Manager
Clúid Housing
05.2011 - 01.2021
Architect (Sole Trader)
EOC Architects
01.2009 - 01.2011
Senior Architect Project Manager
Castlethorn Construction Ltd.
01.2007 - 01.2009
Architect & Project Manager
Dublin Docklands Development Authority
01.2002 - 01.2007
Architect
Horan Keoghan Ryan Architects
01.1998 - 01.2002
MSc - Construction Law and Dispute Resolution
King’s College London
Postgraduate Diploma - Construction Law & Contract Administration
Trinity College Dublin
BArchSc & Diploma - Architecture
Technological University Dublin
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