Strategy Manager

Cairn has a unique and exciting opportunity for an experienced Strategy Manager to work with and support Cairn's Strategic Management Team.

The successful person will be an experienced, motivated team player who thrives in a fast-paced dynamic environment.

Role Overview

The Strategy Manager reports to the Chief Strategy & Sustainability Officer and plays a central role in shaping, coordinating, and delivering the annual corporate strategy process. This includes defining the strategy timetable and governance, establishing templates and outputs, and working closely with senior leaders across the organisation to ensure high‑quality, timely inputs. The role involves significant engagement with the Leadership Team (LT), category leads, and functional heads.

Key Responsibilities

Annual Strategy Process

Lead the end‑to‑end coordination of the annual strategy cycle, including:

• Designing templates, deliverables, and governance documentation

• Managing timelines and stakeholder expectations

• Consolidating and synthesising all inputs into a cohesive corporate strategy pack

• Identify and manage organisational and strategic interdependencies across business units and functions.

• Ensure alignment between business unit strategies, functional strategies, and the overarching corporate strategy.

Stakeholder Engagement & Alignment

• Partner with category and functional leaders to gather, validate, and integrate strategy inputs.

• Highlight areas that:

• Require further development or clarification

• Present misalignment or conflict between business units

• Represent new commercial opportunities

Strategic Analysis & Insight Generation

• Conduct strategic research and analysis (market, competitor, financial, stakeholder) to inform senior decision‑making.
• Benchmark corporate performance and identify emerging trends relevant to category strategies and cross‑functional initiatives.
• Develop clear, insight‑driven recommendations to support strategic reviews and planning sessions.

Board & Executive Deliverables

• Prepare high‑quality materials for LT and Board review, ensuring clarity, accuracy, and strategic coherence.

Strategy Execution & Progress Monitoring

• Track and report on the progress of strategic initiatives, ensuring accountability and visibility across the organisation.
• Identify risks, issues, and opportunities within the strategic programme of work.

Candidate Profile

Experience & Background

• Prior experience in real estate, construction, management consulting, or corporate strategy.
• Proven ability to lead or coordinate complex, cross‑functional strategic processes.

Core Skills & Capabilities

• Strong project planning and programme management capability.
• Ability to build and maintain relationships across all levels of the organisation, including C‑suite.
• Exceptional analytical and conceptual thinking — able to distil large volumes of information into actionable insights.
• Skilled in financial, commercial, and competitive analysis.
• Excellent communication skills — able to deliver concise, impactful presentations and written outputs.
• Evidence of evaluating strategic options and making data‑driven recommendations. 

Working with Cairn Homes:

At Cairn, we believe it is essential that our employees feel valued and appreciated. We therefore offer above industry average remuneration packages with a comprehensive benefits portfolio that’s ready to support you for whatever life brings.

We are delighted to offer a suite of benefits when you join Cairn which include;

• Competitive salary
• Performance related bonus
• Pension scheme with matching contributions
• Full health insurance with Irish Life health
• Annual salary review
• Continuous Professional development (CPD) programme & funding
• Paid maternity & paternity leave
• Free Cairn annual leave days
• Life assurance
• Income protection
• Employee Assistance Programme with VHI
• Tax saver - travel and bike to work
• Culture Committee
• Talent Development Programmes
• Approved Profit Sharing Scheme (APSS)

The Cairn purpose is to build sustainable communities where people can thrive.

At Cairn, it’s not what we build, it’s why we build. It’s about putting down a marker that will stand for generations to come. Creating new communities of connection and belonging for an Ireland where people can thrive. Reshaping, redefining, reinvigorating our place in the world.

Building for people, progress, and potential. Because when Cairn build, it’s Built For Good.