Immediate Start Director of Operations

Horizons - Cope Foundation in Cork Communities one of the top 200 Employers in Ireland supports over 2,800 children and adults of every ability to live ‘Your Life, Your Way’. Since 1957, Horizons has played a vital role in communities right across Cork city and county. We work to enhance the lives of people with an intellectual disability and/or autism; working in partnership with them, their families and local communities to provide a broad range of person centred services and supports. We pr

Horizons - Cope Foundation in Cork Communities one of the top 200 Employers in Ireland supports over 2,800 children and adults of every ability to live ‘Your Life, Your Way’. Since 1957, Horizons has played a vital role in communities right across Cork city and county. We work to enhance the lives of people with an intellectual disability and/or autism; working in partnership with them, their families and local communities to provide a broad range of person centred services and supports. We pr Show more

Skills and attributes

- Change Management
- Management Skills

Description

Director of Operations

Horizons work to enhance the lives of people with an intellectual disability and/or autism; working in partnership with them, their families and local communities to provide a broad range of person-centred services and supports. We provide services in Cork city and county throughout a network of over 70 locations.

We believe everyone should be ambitious. Everyone should dream about their future. Everyone should reach their horizons.

Director of Operations

Horizons is seeking to appoint a Director of Operations. The Director of Operations is a key leadership role in Horizons and will work alongside the Chief Operations Officer and Director of Nursing to lead the organisation in progressing a number of key priorities including de-congregating large centres, developing new and existing service models, and advancing the development of the governance framework.

The postholder will be operating in a challenging environment, steering the operational and strategic development of the organisation and implementing its progressive vision for individualised, rights-based service delivery.

The Director of Operations offers an exciting opportunity to be part of a dynamic Executive Management Team (EMT) of one of the largest health and social care services for people with disabilities in Ireland and the largest organisation across Cork city and county. The EMT comprises highly challenging and demanding posts requiring exceptional strategic vision and outstanding leadership and management abilities.

The successful applicant will have a proven record of success at senior level and must demonstrate that they have achieved organisational change in complex environments, and led innovation and service improvement initiatives within budget in a diverse organisation.

Salary: Aligned to the General Manager salary scale. The 7-point salary scale, as per the HSE pay scales for the is post as of 01/08/2025:

New appointees to any grade start at the minimum point of the scale. Incremental credit will be applied for recognised relevant service in Ireland and abroad (Department of Health Circular 2/2011). Incremental credit is normally granted on appointment, in respect of previous experience in the Civil Service, Local Authorities, Health Service and other Public Service Bodies and Statutory Agencies.

Applicants must possess the following:

Qualification requirement

- Minimum Honours Degree (Level 8) and/or Postgraduate qualification (Level 9/10) in a relevant professional or health management discipline
- Qualification in Project Management and/or Lean Management
- Evidence of ongoing professional development

Experience requirement

- At least four years of experience managing a substantial service within the health or social care fields, at a senior grade
- Experience managing a large team
- Experienced at managing and maintaining budgets
- Experienced in implementing change management
- Experience working within regulatory frameworks
- Experienced in successfully developing and delivery large scale projects in the health and/or social care field
- Experience at both practitioner and management levels of work
- Experience in delivering change management programmes

Knowledge requirement

- Sector strategic issues and trends
- Public Sector macro-economic environment and implications for the organisation
- Governance and standards – Legal, Regulatory, Statutory and Governance Management Procedures, systems, and processes
- Resource Management
- Knowledge of Organisation Structure, Systems Roles, Processes
- Service planning and development
- Sector structures, representational systems, and key stakeholders
- Change Management
- Best practice models in delivering services and supports in the sector
- Knowledge and experience in implementing the ‘Time to Move On from Congregated Settings’ policy, including transitioning people to community-based living arrangements
- Full Drivers License and acess to own vehichle is essential

What we offer:

- Salary in line with the HSE consolidated pay scales
- Supervision appropriate to experience levels
- Opportunities for professional development and career growth
- CPD is actively encouraged and regular training and supervision provided
- A flexible and supportive work environment
- Membership of the Single Public Service Pension Scheme
- Subsidised canteen
- Onsite parking
- An opportunity to make a real difference in people's lives

Informal enquiries can be made to Lorraine Egan, Chief Executive Officer at ceo@horizonscork.ie .

Completed application forms must be returned no later than 12 noon October 28th 2025.

Please also attach a high level CV.

Applicant’s key achievements will be short listed against the job description.

Horizons is an Equal Opportunity Employer

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