Graduate Development Lead

Graduate Development Lead

Are you passionate about shaping the next generation of talent?

We are seeking an experienced and talented Graduate Development Lead to join our HR team and lead the development of ifac’s graduates, trainees and interns across the business.

The Role

Reporting to the Head of HR and L&D Manager, the Graduate Development Lead will work closely with Partners, People Managers, the wider HR team, and our learning and development colleagues to deliver a consistent, high-quality graduate experience across ifac.

This role is an excellent opportunity to lead graduate development in one of Ireland’s fastest-growing professional services firms. The Graduate Development Lead will support the end-to-end graduate journey – from career fair engagement and recruitment through onboarding, training and rotation, to full professional qualification.

About Ifac

Founded in 1975, Ifac is Ireland’s specialist professional services firm for the farming, food, agri, and family business sectors. We are an award-winning employer and one of Ireland’s Top Ten Accountancy firms. Ifac is also one of Ireland’s Top 200 Employers 2025 as listed by the Irish Independent in partnership with Statista, and a PrimeGlobal member firm.

Our Purpose

Ifac’s purpose is to help clients build profitable, sustainable futures so that people and communities across Ireland can thrive.

Our Ambition

With a strong focus on global best practice, Ifac has set its ambition to be a global leader in agrifood advisory, while also driving growth and excellence in Ireland’s dynamic SME sector.

Why Join Ifac?

At Ifac, we are more than just a workplace – we are a community of professionals committed to growth, innovation, and sector leadership. When you join our team, you’ll have the opportunity to:

• Work with industry-leading experts and clients in Ireland’s farming, food, agribusiness, and SME sectors.

• Be part of a values-driven culture emphasising collaboration, commitment, energy, respect, and foresight.

• Build a great career, help us achieve our ambitions and help shape the future of Ireland’s business landscape.

• Enjoy a competitive compensation package, including performance-based bonuses and significant opportunities for professional growth.

Making an Impact

We invest heavily in developing future talent. Graduates, trainees and interns are central to ifac’s long-term success, and many of our senior team members began their careers through early-career pathways. The Graduate Development Lead will play a critical role in shaping how graduates experience their early careers at ifac.

Key Responsibilities:

• Own the end-to-end graduate journey – from career fair engagement and recruitment through onboarding, training, rotation and qualification.

• Continuously develop the Graduate Development Programme, ensuring it meets emerging business requirements and long-term strategic goals.

• Plan and deliver graduate induction and training pathways in partnership with the wider L&D team.

• Manage relationships with universities and colleges, including career fair allocations, campus engagement and placement/internship pipelines.

• Collaborate with internal teams to identify graduate development needs, design appropriate training solutions and support managers in guiding graduate performance and progression.  

• Act as the main point of contact and mentor for graduates, monitoring progress against performance milestones, providing guidance and supporting integration into the firm.  

• Monitor graduate engagement, retention and satisfaction, using feedback to shape ongoing programme improvements.

• Oversee the Summer Intern and College Placement programmes, including offer decisions, scheduling and performance feedback. 

Our new Graduate Development Lead will be a key member of the HR team, playing a central role in shaping ifac’s future talent pipeline.

You will be:

• A degree-qualified professional with at least 3 years' relevant experience.

• Proven experience supporting early-career or graduate development programmes.

• Strong relationship-building skills, with the ability to influence Partners, People Managers and external university contacts.

• Excellent organisational and project management skills, with the ability to manage multiple cohorts and deadlines simultaneously.

• Confident communicator and presenter, comfortable engaging both graduates and senior stakeholders.

• A genuine interest in coaching, mentoring and supporting early-career development.

• Experience within accountancy, financial services, or another professional qualification-driven environment (desirable).

• CIPD qualification or equivalent HR/L&D qualification (desirable).

• Familiarity with applicant tracking systems and Learning Management Systems (LMS) (desirable).

• A willingness to learn and grow professionally.

Rewards

Our Graduate Development Lead will receive:

• Market-leading compensation and benefits package.

• Substantial employer pension contribution.

• Generous annual leave allowance.

• Supportive, family-friendly workplace policies.

• Blended WFH.

• Opportunities for internal growth and development.

• Access to a bike to work scheme.

• Access to an employee assistance programme.

• Well-being benefits, including the Digital Doctor programme.

• Regular wellness, social, and charity activities throughout the year.

• Christmas voucher.

Next Steps

Apply in confidence with a full CV, quoting reference: Graduate Development Lead to careers@ifac.ie or one our website at www.ifac.ie 

Tel. 056 7761048.