Oonagh Buckley is to replace Kieran Mulvey as director-general of the Workplace Relations Commission (WRC) following his retirement last month.
The appointment of the assistant secretary on pay and pensions policy at the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform was announced by Minister for Jobs Mary Mitchell O'Connor.
Separately, Kevin Foley, currently a deputy chairman in the Labour Court, has been appointed chairman of the court.
The appointments were made following two “competitive” Public Appointments Service selection processes conducted over recent months.
Ms Mitchell O’Connor said both individuals would “make an invaluable contribution in the years ahead to ensuring our industrial relations machinery operates effectively, and that employment rights of workers are fully respected”.
Reforms in the sector last year saw the creation of the WRC as the single point of access in the first instance for industrial relations and employment rights issues. The Labour Court was expanded and positioned as the single appeals body.
Junior Minister for Business and Employment Pat Breen said the WRC has "a broad expanse of functions that are critical to ensuring harmonious industrial relations and the protection of workers' rights".
“I believe Ms Buckley will provide the leadership and vision to ensure the WRC, as a new body, successfully delivers on its very challenging mandate,” he added.
