Location:
On site / Galway, Ireland
job type:
Permanent / Full-time
Sector and subsector:
Medical & Healthcare | General
Salary:
Competitive Salary
About Us!
Ability West is embarking on an exciting journey of transformational change -focused on enhancing the lives of the people we support and fostering a culture of continuous improvement and strong leadership across our organisation.
We operate a leading non-profit organisation, providing person-centred disability services for people with complex intellectual, and physical disabilities.
In partnership with the Health Service Executive, we empower each person we support to live a meaningful and self-directed life.
Founded 64 years ago by families advocating for better supports, Ability West now serves more than 600 adults and children across Galway City and County through a network of over 70 centres.
Our services include day services, residential and respite support (adults and children), community support, therapeutic interventions, training centres, living my life project, best buddies and community inclusion programmes.
In addition, we are patron to four schools which support over 170 children.
Ability West continues to evolve to meet community needs, champion inclusion, and deliver high-quality, person-led supports.
Our Mission:
Ability West's mission is to empower people with disabilities to live self-directed lives in an equal and inclusive society.
Each person is supported and valued within an environment which promotes their overall autonomy, health and wellbeing and enables them to reach their potential.
Our Vision:
We are dedicated to enabling people we support to realise their goals and ambitions.
Role Description:
Full-time, permanent.
We believe everyone should have meaningful opportunities to learn, develop, and reach their potential.
We create environments where people can participate fully in their communities and live self-directed lives—and we seek leaders who are energised by supporting that ambition.
As Director of Operations, you will provide senior leadership and coordination of all operational services across Ability West.
Working through an established line-management structure, you will ensure the consistent, safe, and high-quality delivery of services across all centres.
You will lead operational planning, performance, and service development, ensuring alignment with organisational strategy and compliance with regulatory and contractual standards.
The initial appointment is responsible for Galway East.
You will play a key role in organisational decision-making as a member of the Senior Management Team and will contribute to corporate, governance, and policy forums as required by the Chief Executive, reporting directly to Chief Executive Officer.
Purpose of Role:
The Director of Operations ensures Ability West's services are designed, governed, and delivered in a way that supports safe, person-centred, compliant, and high-quality care.
The role provides strategic oversight of operational performance and leads the planning, coordination, and continual improvement of service delivery across the organisation.
This position plays a central role in safeguarding standards, enabling teams, and ensuring services reflect Ability West's values and commitments.
Reporting To:
The Director of Operations reports to the Chief Executive.
Key Working Relationships:
The Director of Operations works closely with the Chief Executive and collaborates across the senior leadership team, including the Directors of Finance, Human Resources, Estates and Transportation, Quality, Compliance & Nursing, Technology and Transformation, the four Clinical Leads and MDT functions.
The role also provides leadership to Area Service Managers and works in partnership with the Multi-Disciplinary teams, Volunteer Programme Manager, Respite and Community Services Manager, Operational Support Officer, Designated Officer, and Unit Directors/Persons in Charge, ensuring cohesive, high-quality service delivery across the organisation.
Location
Ability West has two key administrative hubs in Tuam and Blackrock.
The post is required to base in both areas, covering East of the County.
Qualification Requirements:
Experience:
10 years' experience in the disability, healthcare, or social care sector, particularly in residential settings.
5 years in senior leadership managing multiple sites with large clinical and non-clinical teams.
Significant senior-level management experience (minimum of 10 years).
Excellent analytical and problem-solving skills with budget oversight and financial planning.
People Management:
Significant experience in managing teams, HR processes, resolving conflict and change management.
Evidence of staff development and workforce planning, and ability to drive change and innovation.
Dynamic and passionate to deliver an inclusive service delivery.
Education:
Minimum Level 8 Degree in Health, Social Care, or a relevant management discipline; Postgraduate qualification is preferred.
Knowledge:
Strong understanding and experience of regulatory frameworks (HIQA), disability legislation, safeguarding and duty of care requirements, person centred service delivery, risk management processes.
Competencies:
Proven leadership, strategic planning, financial acumen, staff development and workforce planning, and ability to drive change and innovation.
Minimum Honours Degree (Level 8) and/or Postgraduate qualification (Level 9/10) in a relevant professional or health management discipline.
Evidence of ongoing professional development.
Qualification in management or related discipline, ideally Level 9 or working towards.
Proven leadership, strategic planning, financial acumen, staff development and workforce planning, and ability to drive change and innovation.
Excellent analytical and problem-solving skills.
Dynamic and passionate to deliver an inclusive service delivery.
Track record in developing and delivering large-scale operational or service-delivery projects within health and/or social care.
Experience at both practitioner and management levels of work.
Demonstrated capability in leading organisational and service transformation initiatives.
Knowledge Requirements:
Sector & Strategic Understanding
Deep understanding of sector-wide strategic issues, trends, and best-practice models in disability and social care service delivery.
Strong awareness of the broader public-sector macro-economic environment and its implications for organisational planning and priorities.
Knowledge of national policy developments, sector structures, representational systems, and key stakeholders.
Governance, Compliance & Regulatory Environment
Comprehensive knowledge of legal, regulatory, statutory, and governance frameworks.
Experience operating within robust governance and quality systems, procedures, and processes.
Operational & Organisational Knowledge
Strong understanding of organisational structures, systems, roles, and operational processes.
Expertise in resource planning and management, including workforce, financial, and infrastructural resources.
Proven capability in service planning, development, and delivery.
Significant experience leading change management initiatives in complex environments.
Knowledge and practical experience implementing the Time to Move On from Congregated Settings policy, including transitioning individuals to community-based living arrangements.
Other Requirements:
Full clean driver's licence and access to own vehicle.
Be eligible to work in Ireland and possess all necessary permits/visas if applicable.
What we offer!
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.
10% corporate discount from choice of three LAYA Corporate Plans.
Closing date for applications will be March 19th ****, with interviews to be held on March 26th ****.
Full job description is available to request on application.
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