By Business & Finance 
Christopher Paye is Country Director of The Stepstone Group Ireland. As Country Director, he leads commercial strategy for the Group’s brands across the island of Ireland, which include IrishJobs, Jobs.ie and NIJobs.
By Emma Montalbani
What was your first job?
It was in Centra Ballinteer. I was 15 and allowed to work 8 hours a week.
I still remember the phone call from the owner, Breda Cahill, on a house phone, asking my mum if it was OK and that she loved the effort I’d done on my CV.
I used to help sweep the yard, unpack the boxes coming in from the lorry, but at 15, it was great to have a few quid in my pocket, and it gave me an early sense of independence and made me appreciate the value of work.
What are your main priorities and goals in your current role?
My priority is ensuring that IrishJobs remains the most trusted and effective platform in Ireland for connecting employers with high-calibre talent.
That means deepening our insights into the labour market, supporting employers with smarter recruitment tools, and helping jobseekers navigate a rapidly changing world of work.
What pushed you to pursue a career in this field?
Honestly, I probably fell into it. I was in my final year at UCD and applying for jobs, mostly in sales.
I was delighted to be offered IrishJobs as a graduate Account Manager and really enjoyed the business-to-business sales environment.
It’s almost 20 years later though and in the recruitment industry, you really get to see the positive impact of your work every day, whether it’s helping someone take the next step in their career or helping a business find the talent that will drive it forward so I suppose I may not have chosen it from the outset but this is a strong reason I’ve stayed in it.
How do you motivate yourself and your team?
For me, motivation is all about clarity and connection.
When people understand the “why” behind what we’re doing, and can see the impact of their work, they naturally bring their best.
At the Stepstone Group, we try to create an environment where our people feel trusted, supported, and encouraged to challenge themselves.
Celebrating wins, learning from setbacks, and keeping communication open all play a big part in that.
In one sentence, how would you define success?
Success is creating lasting, positive impact for people – whether they’re colleagues, employers, or jobseekers.
How do you relax?
Definitely family first. I’ve the privilege of being a dad to an 8 year old girl and husband to my amazing wife.
We spend a lot of time in Marlay Park, outdoors in general, together.
I also love gardening, a hobby inherited from my mum, and I find that really relaxing, and lastly, I try to keep somewhat fit with running mostly.
All of these things help me relax and recuperate.
What is your favourite (non-business) book?
I do read a lot but, on a Kindle, and I think sometimes it has spoiled me remembering books, so my memories tend to go back to books I read when I was younger.
One that I read in school was “The Agony of Ecstasy” by Julian Madigan. It’s his own story on how drugs really impacted him and his family, and how he turned his life around.
It made me realise how easy it can be to take that wrong turn and how it can impact those who you love and love you, and that support rather than judgement is key.
What’s the best piece of advice you’ve ever been given?
“Listen more than you speak.” It’s simple, but it’s shaped how I lead. You learn far more by paying attention to the people around you and empowering them to achieve more.
How do you handle adversity?
I try to approach challenges with perspective and calm. Breaking problems down, seeking input from the right people, and staying focused on solutions rather than setbacks makes every challenge manageable.
What are the aspirations for the future of the business?
Our ambition is to continue strengthening IrishJobs’ position as the most trusted recruitment partner to businesses in Ireland.
By continuing to invest in and innovate our leading recruitment platform, we are empowering employers with better insights, supporting jobseekers with more personalised tools, and continuing to source the best talent to help Irish businesses grow and unlock new opportunities.
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