Headline

The Q1 2026 data point is the most meaningful single quarter move on the curve since 2022, and the first clear signal that Ireland’s private/professional labour market has shifted out of the post-COVID “tight but cooling” phase and into something genuinely looser. Unemployment ticked up to 4.2% (from 3.6% in Q4 2025) while vacancies dipped to 1.01% – the lowest level since the 2020/2021 COVID period and below where vacancies have sat throughout 2024–25.

One quarter doesn’t make a trend, and CSO data this quarter is unusually noisy (more on that below). But the direction is clear and consistent with what we’re seeing across the market.

Period covered: 2008Q1 – 2026Q1. Private/professional sector (excludes public sector and related entities such as universities).

What the Curve is Telling us

A Beveridge curve plots unemployment against vacancies. It moves along itself with the business cycle (recession pushes points bottom-right, recovery pulls them top-left) and shifts when the matching efficiency of the labour market changes.

Three phases are visible in the Barden Beveridge curve:

• 2008–2019 — the long walk back. The curve traces a textbook recovery from the financial crisis trough (14% unemployment, 0.35% vacancies in 2009Q3) back to a tight market by late 2018 (~5% unemployment, ~1.5% vacancies).
• 2020–2022 — the post-COVID surge. After the COVID dislocation, the curve jumped to its tightest position on record. Vacancies peaked at ~1.95% in 2022 Q2 with unemployment at ~4%. This was the period of explosive hiring across tech, financial services, and professional services, when counter-offers, salary inflation, and 6-week placement cycles were the norm.
• 2022–2025 — the gradual cooling. Vacancies steadily declined from the 2022 peak, while unemployment remained in the 3.5–4.3% range. The points cluster in the top-left of the chart – still a tight market by historical standards, but normalising.
• 2026 Q1 — a step away from the cluster. This is where the new quarter stands out. Rather than continuing to drift gently along the curve, the point sits notably to the right and slightly below the 2024–2025 cluster. The unemployment move (3.6% → 4.2%, a 60bps jump in one quarter) is the largest single-quarter rise we’ve seen outside of the COVID period. Vacancies also stepped down from 1.04% to 1.01%, continuing a four-quarter decline.

Reading the Move

A few things are worth being precise about.

The headline CSO number is higher. The official Q1 2026 Labour Force Survey put unemployment at 4.9%, with employment down 0.6% over the quarter. The Barden curve uses 4.2% because we filter out the public sector and related entities to focus on the private/professional market we recruit into. The gap is informative; it suggests the softening is broader than just our segment.

The sectoral story matters. The CSO release flagged that the Information & Communication sector lost 20,300 roles in Q1 2026, a 10.7% drop, driven mainly by a 16,200 fall in computer programming and consultancy. That single sectoral move is having a big impact on the unemployment numbers. Pharma, medtech and financial services aren’t showing the same pattern, and construction employment is actually up 11.7% over the year. This indicates that the market isn’t softening uniformly; it’s softening in tech-adjacent professional roles specifically.

Volatility is genuinely at play. Bank of Ireland and others have noted that the LFS data this quarter looks noisy: full-time employment is up 1.5% YoY while part-time fell 5%, and the CSO’s payroll-based measure shows employees up 2.5% YoY. Q1 income tax receipts are up 6.1% to €8.7bn – not the kind of figure you’d expect alongside a genuine employment collapse. So the right reading is that something is moving, but the magnitude on the Labour Force Survey may be overstated.

That said, the Purchasing Manager’s Index (PMI) do echo some softness. The AIB Services PMI fell to a 7-month low of 50.7 in March 2026, with services employment falling marginally for only the third time in five years. Manufacturing PMI is still in expansion. So the broader picture is one of cooling rather than contraction, but the cooling is real, and it’s showing up in services.

What it Means Commercially

For the private/professional market we operate in, the practical implications are:

1. The talent-led market is fading. For most of 2022–24, well-credentialled professionals in finance, tax, legal and analytics had multiple offers and significant leverage. The decline in vacancies (now a sub-1.05% trend) suggests that leverage is declining. Counter-offer rates and offer-acceptance dynamics will follow.
2. Tech is the leading edge and is leading down. The Information & Communication contraction in Q1 is the same signal we saw first in 2008. When professional hiring softens, tech tends to move first because it’s the most discretionary and the most multinational-driven. Watch this segment closely; what happens here usually precedes the rest of the professional market by a quarter or two.
3. Wage pressure should ease (but slowly). Historically, vacancy rates above ~1.2% coincide with strong wage growth. We’re now at ~1.01% and trending down. Newly-qualified professional salary inflation should cool first, with mid-level moves to follow. Top-of-market (experienced hires in scarce specialisms – tax directors, FP&A leads, in-house counsel) will likely remain tight.
4. The Beveridge shift hasn’t happened. The curve has moved down and to the right along the cycle, but it hasn’t shifted outward (which would mean a structural mismatch – high vacancies and high unemployment). That’s a positive read: the market is loosening, not breaking. Matching efficiency looks intact.

What to Watch for in Q2 2026

• Whether the unemployment move sticks. A revised or revisited 4.2% (rather than a further rise) would suggest Q1 was a volatility blip on a softening trend, not the start of something sharper.
• Vacancy rate movement. A drop below 0.9% would be the first move into clearly “loose” territory by post-2018 standards.
• Sector spread. Whether the Information & Communication weakness pulls in adjacent sectors (consulting, financial services tech, fintech) or stays contained.
• NQ flow this autumn. With trainee accountants and solicitors qualifying in September, watch whether the destination mix shifts — fewer industry moves, more retention in practice, would be a real-time signal of a tighter hiring environment in industry.

Source: Barden quarterly Beveridge curve, private/professional sector (excludes public sector and related entities). Cross-referenced with CSO Labour Force Survey Q1 2026 (released 21 May 2026), AIB / S&P Global Ireland PMI releases, and commentary from Bank of Ireland and Deloitte Ireland.

If you have a request and would like real-time information to inform your hiring decisions, contact Ed Heffernan at ed.heffernan@barden.ie or Elaine Brady at elaine.brady@barden.ie

Barden is pleased to be partnering exclusively with a high-performing Irish organisation to appoint a strategic and commercially focused Financial Controller. The business has experienced significant growth in recent years and is well positioned to continue this upward trajectory.

The successful candidate will play a central role in both the day-to-day running of the finance function and the ongoing enhancement of systems, controls, and processes. In addition, they will provide meaningful commercial insight to support decision-making and help shape the future direction of the business.

This opportunity will suit an ambitious, entrepreneurial individual who brings energy, initiative, and a strong commercial mindset to their work. To explore this opportunity further, please contact caroline.frawley@barden.ie or denis.galvin@barden.ie.

ABOUT THE ROLE

• Leading and managing the overall finance function of an integral business unit within a large group.
• Ensuring the accuracy and integrity of financial reporting, with a focus on best-in-class standards.
• Ownership of cashflow management and working capital forecasting.
• Driving system enhancements and automation across the finance function.
• Regularly interact with senior leadership on commercial and strategic aspects of the business.
• Leading and contributing to key projects across both finance and the wider business.
• Ensuring full compliance with all regulatory and statutory requirements.
• Providing leadership, guidance, and development support to the finance team.

ABOUT THE PERSON

• Qualified Accountant with 5–10 years’ post-qualification experience.
• Strong analytical ability, with excellent communication and presentation skills.
• Proven track record of influencing stakeholders across an organisation.
• Commercially astute with a strong understanding of business drivers.
• Highly organised, with the ability to manage competing priorities and deadlines.
• Positive, proactive mindset with a focus on continuous improvement.

Barden are delighted to be appointed as the exclusive Talent Advisor on a key senior finance opportunity in Cork. Our client has a long standing reputable history in their field. The business is continuously expanding through organic growth and engaged in acquisitions. This is a superb opportunity to genuinely make a positive impact on an Irish business that is going from strength to strength.

The role will suit a high performing person who is currently at a senior finance level, looking for a fresh challenge. This is a hands on role where you will also form part of the Senior Leadership team, contributing to the strategic direction and general management of the company. The company has a well established and loyal client base, where they work collaboratively to deliver high quality products in a dynamic landscape.

The Executive team are seeking someone who is commercially savvy, solution orientated, hands on, trustworthy and someone who demonstrates a high level of integrity.

For a confidential discussion on this opportunity, please contact me directly (denis.galvin@barden.ie)

ABOUT THE ROLE

Financial Control and Leadership

• Oversee all aspects of financial reporting, month-end and year-end processes, taxation and statutory compliance.
• Manage cash flow, working capital, and treasury functions to optimize financial performance, allowing for best practice capital allocation.
• Ensure systems, processes, and controls are fit for purpose, continuously identifying opportunities for improvement.
• Lead and mentor a small finance team, fostering a culture of high performance and professional development.

Commercial Finance & Business Partnering

• Act as a trusted advisor to the senior leadership team, providing financial insight to support strategic decision-making.
• Drive the budgeting, forecasting, and financial planning process, ensuring alignment with business objectives.
• Conduct detailed margin analysis, cost control, and pricing strategies to optimize profitability and growth.
• Partner with operational and commercial teams to improve business performance and identify new opportunities.

Strategic Growth Initiatives

• Support the evaluation and execution of acquisitions, leading financial due diligence and risk assessment.
• Develop integration plans to ensure seamless transition post-acquisition, optimizing synergies and efficiencies.
• Work closely with leadership to ensure newly acquired businesses align with the company’s financial and operational strategy.

ABOUT THE PERSON

• Qualified Finance professional with 10+ years post qualification and a demonstrated history at a leadership level.
• Excellent stakeholder management and business partnering skills, with a commercial mindset.
• A proactive, hands-on leader who thrives in a fast-paced, dynamic environment.

Here at Barden, we are excited to be partnering our valued client to identify a Director of Finance. In this role you will play a pivotal role in ensuring the finance function is ‘best in class’ to support global growth.

This business is going from strength to strength and is experiencing significant growth and global expansion. Headquartered in Ireland, you will report to the newly appointed Group Finance Director who is incredibly impressive. They bring innovate thinking and you will have both the support from them and also the freedom to adopt new technologies and ways of working to bring further improvements to Finance.

The ideal candidate will be a strong communicator, be passionate about partnering with business stakeholders both internal and external, and have the initiative to drive processes forward.

If you are interested in learning more about this truly exciting opportunity, please get in contact with me directly (denis.galvin@barden.ie) or reach out to my colleague Caroline Frawley (caroline.frawley@barden.ie)

ABOUT THE ROLE

• Lead and develop a high-performing team of leaders, across multiple functions and disciplines.
• Oversee all close and reporting processes (R2R), ensuring timely, accurate financial statements and strong balance sheet governance.
• Partner closely with FP&A and regional teams to ensure consistent accounting policies, accurate P&Ls, and robust project margin reporting.
• Own tax, statutory reporting, and audit coordination, ensuring full compliance across jurisdictions.
• Lead and optimise the full Procure-to-Pay function, driving efficiency, controls, and data quality across shared services.
• Take full ownership of payroll operations across multiple geographies, ensuring compliance, accuracy, and strong internal controls.
• Drive automation, digitalisation, and process improvement initiatives across finance operations, reducing manual effort and enhancing scalability.
• Strengthen operational excellence, including KPI/SLA frameworks, internal controls, and risk management to support improved financial performance.

ABOUT THE PERSON

• Senior finance leader with extensive experience operating in complex, multi-country environments, including leadership of multi-disciplinary teams.
• Strong technical expertise across shared services, AP, payroll, payments, and core accounting, underpinned by a professional accounting qualification (ACA/ACCA/CIMA).
• Deep understanding of compliance, statutory reporting, tax, and internal controls, ensuring robust governance frameworks.
• Proven track record in driving process improvement, automation, and operational transformation across finance functions.
• Delivers efficient, scalable, and well-controlled finance operations, with high-performing teams, reduced manual effort, and strong cross-functional alignment.

We’re looking for a commercially minded finance professional to join a high-performing Finance team supporting international operations across multiple entities.

This is an excellent opportunity to join a collaborative finance environment where transformation, innovation, and process excellence are genuinely valued, offering strong exposure to global stakeholders and projects

ABOUT THE ROLE:

As Contract Management Senior Analyst, you’ll act as a Subject Matter Expert responsible for the end-to-end management of rebate and commission processes. You’ll manage a portfolio of entities/business units, ensuring:

• Accurate setup and management of rebate and commission agreements
• Integrity of accruals and financial reporting
• Timely and compliant settlements and payments
• Strong process controls and governance
• Continuous improvement and standardisation across processes

You’ll also partner closely with Finance and Sales teams globally to ensure commercial agreements are accurately reflected within systems and aligned to company policies and controls

ABOUT THE PERSON

• Part-qualified or qualified accountant (or equivalent)
• At least 3-4 years’ experience within Finance or Accounting
• Experience managing rebate or commission processes an advantage
• Strong systems experience
• Excellent analytical and problem-solving skills
• Strong stakeholder management and communication skills
• A proactive mindset with a focus on ownership and continuous improvement

If you’re hiring a Chief Financial Officer in Leinster this quarter, here are some things you need to know…

#1 Continuum of Activity

Job titles mean nothing without context. The role of the CFO varies widely depending on a myriad of variables. Below, we detail a number of lenses through which the role of a CFO, in a given organisation, can be viewed.

From left to right, the activity becomes increasingly commercial, strategic and impactful. The % of time (or balance of activity) a CFO spends in each area of the continuum is very defining of the role a CFO plays in an organisation. True CFOs are active participants in funding relationships, are members of the Board of Directors and are heavily involved in decisions concerning the allocation of capital.

#2 Variables that overlay on the continuum of activity

Size Of Organisation: Larger companies typically have larger finance teams. The number of people led, the nature of the activity those people are involved in, and the experience and qualifications these people have, all have an impact.

Organisational Structure: Group Function, Strategic Business Unit, SME/SMB – the structure in which a CFO sits is also very defining. In particular, when it comes to smaller business entities, are they a subsidiary of a multinational, are they privately owned but professionally run (have a Board) or are they privately owned and family run.

Geographical Coverage: If a company trades in ROI, UK&I, EMEA or Globally has a significant impact on the complexity of the supply chain, the risks the company is exposed to and consequently the nature of the role of a CFO.

Nature Of Funding: The source of funding and the level of engagement/interaction with investors/lenders are other important variables. A CFO role that involves active participation in investor calls (and the nature of those investors) and fund-raising activity is very different to a CFO role in a medium-sized, self-funded organisation. In addition, the nature of the funding (debt v equity) can be an important differentiator given the differences in terms of the role of the CFO in each instance.

The above are just some of the variables that can differentiate one CFO role from another. When designing your role description, and when going to market for CFO talent, it is important to ensure that all relevant variables are factored into the definition of a CFO in your organisation.

#3 Reward 

Salary surveys that provide wide salary bands for CFO roles without context are highly misleading. Without the context of the variables cited before, salary ranges have no value or meaning. In Barden, we can provide salary data tailored to your exact context. In the absence of that, we can share the following information:

• Sampling 100 CFO appointments in Dublin over the past 2 years, we can share that the Average Base Salary for CFOs in this period was €215,950.
• Higher base salaries (tending to €300,000+) were typically found within certain industries such as leasing, financial services, fintech and software, that operated globally.
• Lower base salaries (typically ranging from €150,000 – €200,000) were commonly found in smaller, privately owned, and professionally run Irish businesses that operated within the ROI/UK&I region only.
• Group CFO and CFO roles with listed companies were excluded from this data set, given the limited number of roles of this nature in Ireland and the fact that salaries for individuals in these roles would typically be significantly higher than those in other companies.
• Base salary is also heavily influenced by where a company is in their lifecycle. Start up/early-stage companies will often offer lower base salaries and compensate with equity options over time. More mature companies will typically offer higher base salaries and LTIPs linked to growth.

If you are looking to accurately benchmark base salaries for CFO or equivalent C-Level appointments, contact your relevant Partner in Barden, and we can conduct research relevant to your exact needs.

#4 Talent Pool Data

Here’s what we’ve noticed this quarter in the CFO talent pool in Leinster:

In Barden, we understand that each team, role, and requirement is unique. If you would like to discuss what tactics and approaches would suit you, please feel free to contact Ed Heffernan or Elaine Brady our Chief Financial Officer Advisors here in Barden (ed.heffernan@barden.ie; elaine.brady@barden.ie); we’re where leaders go before they start looking for Chief Financial Officer talent.

This information is accurate as per June 2026 and will be updated periodically. Data sources include Barden Proprietary Data, LinkedIn Analytics and other 3rd party data sources. If you have a request and would like real-time information to inform your hiring decisions, contact Ed Heffernan at ed.heffernan@barden.ie or Elaine Brady at elaine.brady@barden.ie.

Barden are proud to be partnering with a leading global organisation to appoint an Operations Finance Lead to their team in Dublin (hybrid working).

About the Role

Help a global manufacturing network improve cost, performance and decision-making — with real visibility and influence. This is a high-impact operational finance partnering role supporting senior manufacturing leadership across a global footprint. You will play a key role in driving financial performance, bringing consistency to reporting across sites, and delivering clear, actionable insight to support decision-making and cost efficiency. This is an opportunity to step into a visible position where you can shape how operational performance is understood and managed across a multi-site environment.

Key Responsibilities

• Partner with senior operational leaders, providing insight to support performance and cost optimisation
• Develop and embed consistent KPIs and reporting across a number of sites and business areas
• Identify and drive improvements in finance processes and performance tracking
• Support decision-making through clear analysis, insight and challenge
• Lead budgeting, forecasting and ongoing performance review processes
• Deliver regular reporting, variance analysis and performance insights to key stakeholders
• Play a role in ongoing improvements to how performance is measured and managed across the organisation

Who they are looking for

• Qualified accountant (ACA / ACCA / CIMA) with at least 8 years PQE relevant industry experience
• Background in a complex, operational or multi-site environment (e.g. FMCG, manufacturing, pharma, distribution)
• Strong understanding of cost drivers and business performance
• Proven ability to partner with and influence stakeholders
• Strong analytical capability, with the ability to turn data into meaningful insight
• Experience working in a changing environment is highly advantageous
• Strong Excel skills, with experience in data visualisation tools an advantage such as Power BI

Barden are proud to be exclusively partnering with a leading well known Group to introduce a high calibre Senior Finance Manager to join their high performing team.

This is a key role within the finance team, focused on strengthening balance sheet integrity, financial control and oversight across a complex operating environment. The position will play an important part in ensuring robust reporting, strong governance and a consistent approach to risk across the business.

Working closely with senior finance stakeholders, this role offers the opportunity to lead across core controllership activities, support ongoing transformation, and bring greater structure and visibility to financial processes and decision‑making.

Key Responsibilities

• Take the lead on driving confidence and clarity across core financial controls in a complex, multi‑entity environment
• Own key areas of the balance sheet, bringing fresh perspective to how risk, accuracy and oversight are managed
• Play a central role in shaping a high‑quality, well‑controlled month‑end process that stands up to external scrutiny
• Partner closely with teams across the business to identify risks early and influence better, more informed decision‑making
• Act as a trusted contact point across assurance processes, confidently navigating audit and governance requirements
• Lead and elevate a geographically dispersed team, building capability and embedding a strong culture of ownership
• Champion smarter ways of working through simplification, standardisation and continuous improvement initiatives

About You

• Qualified accountant with at least 8 years PQE with strong experience in a complex, fast‑moving organisation
• Plc experience beneficial
• Brings a natural curiosity around how things work — and how they can be improved
• Comfortable navigating complexity, ambiguity and change, with a solutions‑focused mindset
• A confident communicator who can influence and build trust across different teams
• Enjoys leading others and creating an environment where people can perform at their best
• Detail‑oriented, commercially aware and motivated by making a tangible impact

Barden are delighted to be partnering with a leading Irish business to hire a Commercial Finance Manager on an initial 12‑month contract. There’s strong visibility and a real opportunity for the role to evolve into a permanent position as the business scales. This is an excellent opportunity for someone who thrives in a fast‑paced setting and wants to make a meaningful impact from day one.

If you enjoy being close to the action, influencing decisions and turning data into real insight, this one is worth a look.

What you’ll be doing

• Partnering with commercial and operational teams to drive performance and profitability
• Analysing sales, margin and cost trends, highlighting risks and opportunities
• Leading budgeting, forecasting and reforecasting cycles
• Supporting weekly and monthly performance reviews with senior stakeholders
• Delivering clear, insightful reporting and helping shape commercial decisions
• Driving improvements across reporting and planning processes

About you

• Qualified accountant (ACA / ACCA / CIMA)
• 6+ years’ experience in commercial finance / business partnering
• Strong analytical mindset with the ability to turn data into insight
• Confident working with senior stakeholders and influencing decisions
• Experience in retail, FMCG or manufacturing environments is a plus

Are you an experienced finance professional looking for a flexible part-time opportunity with a growing and progressive business?

We are extremely excited to be working exclusively with a scaling SME to identity a Financial Controller. Roles of this nature don’t come to the Cork market every day. This is an excellent opportunity for a commercially minded finance professional looking for senior Finance role with the option for great flexibility.

The Financial Controller will be involved in the day-to-day Finance activities, implement best practice systems and controls as well as provide value-add information to make a real impact on the decision making and direction of the business. You will get exposure to all areas of Finance as the business grows.

If you would like to work with a business where collaboration and flexibility is at the core of what they do, please get in touch – (caroline.frawely@barden.ie) or my colleague Denis Galvin (denis.galvin@barden.ie).

ABOUT THE ROLE

Responsibilities will include:

• Responsibility for monthly and year end reporting, investigation of variances and overall results to assist business performance
• Responsible for regular commercial reporting to Executive management providing insights that are accurate and timely to support strategic planning and decision making
• Maintain a strong control environment during a period of growth and expansion
• Take a lead role in all areas of operational finance including AP, AR and Payroll
• Contribute towards the strategies for driving revenue growth and cost efficiencies
• Provide strong balance sheet and working capital management
• Responsibility for the preparation and coordination of the budgeting and forecasting process

ABOUT THE PERSON:

The successful candidate will have:

• Qualified Accountant with 5+ years PQE.
• Strong analytical, presentation and communication skills
• Proven ability to influence at all levels in the organization
• Excellent commercial acumen
• Ability to prioritize workload to meet deadlines
• Organized and efficient personality, positive attitude