Job Title: Chief Operations Officer
Reference No: 04.009(2025)
Department / Directorate: Office of the CEO / CEO Directorate
Reports to: Chief Executive Officer or Deputy CEO
Tallaght University Hospital (TUH) is a model 4, voluntary, academic teaching hospital partnered with Trinity College and situated in south west Dublin. With a staff of over 4,000 people from 63 different countries, it provides both acute and tertiary care to an increasing population of circa 800,000 people and is a provider of local, regional and national specialties. It is also a National Urology Centre, the second largest provider of dialysis services in the country, Pelvic and Acetabulum National Centre and a designated Trauma Unit.
The Hospital is part of the newly established HSE Dublin & Midlands Region, which serves a population of over 1.2 million across seven counties, and operates under the governance of an independent Board of Directors who give their time on a voluntary basis. TUH is also supported by the Adelaide Health Foundation, the Meath Foundation and Tallaght University Hospital Foundation.
TUH recognises the role it plays in our community both as an employer and provider of healthcare and is committed to building a sustainable future for our region both now and into the future with a focus on patient outcomes.
The Hospital is ambitious, recognising that healthcare delivery is undergoing seismic change and will be different now and into the future, largely due to digital and technological advances along with research continuing to discover and test new treatment options. TUH wants to be a leader in determining that future.
It is a “Hospital without Walls” always looking to optimise care both within and beyond in line with the Sláintecare vision of providing the right care, in the right place, at the right time whilst empowering our patients and staff.
TUH Vision and Values
The vision of the Hospital is “ Caring for People to Live Better Lives” through excellent health outcomes supported by evidenced based practice, positive patient and staff experience in an empowering and caring environment. A culture of innovation and quality improvement in everything we do.
Our TUH CARE values – for patients, their families, our community and staff are:
* Collaborate – together and with our academic and care partners
* Achieve – our goals, positive outcomes and wellbeing
* Respect – for patients, each other and our environment
* Equity – for patients and staff
At TUH we view our staff as our most valuable asset and every member of the Team is valued equally. We recognise that a skilled, satisfied and motivated workforce is a prerequisite to high quality care.
A full overview of TUH is available on www.tuh.ie/about us
Purpose of the Role:
The role of the Chief Operations Officer (COO) is to hold full corporate responsibility and accountability for the core health and health related services / operations of the Hospital, with specific responsibility for scheduled and unscheduled care performance targets/ KPI’s. The COO will represent the Chief Executive in areas of assigned responsibility and accountability as determined by the Chief Executive.
Overview of Role:
Key Duties and Responsibilities
* To build and maintain appropriate relationships with all external stakeholders and promote Tallaght University Hospital’s future service opportunities
* To act as a key member of the Executive Management Team
* To implement Hospital strategy in areas applicable to the responsibility / accountability of the post
* To develop, secure agreement on and implement / assure implementation and achievement of the Hospital’s annual service plan
* To prepare and agree Service Level Agreements with the HSE and other pertinent stakeholders in areas applicable to the Operations Function
* To represent the Chief Executive / Hospital in all areas pertinent to the realm of the responsibility and accountability of the post
* To develop and reinforce the reputation of Tallaght University Hospital as a provider of excellent services
* To hold full corporate responsibility and accountability for the core health and health related services / operations of the Hospital
* To continuously improve the clinical business unit (Clinical Directorates) model of organisation, management, delivery and operation for core clinical services at the Hospital
* To devolve authority and commensurate responsibility and accountability to Clinical Directors in respect of clinical services / operations at the Hospital to include budgets (finance, HR & resources), facilities, QSRM (Quality, Safety and Risk Management), developments etc. as determined corporately
* To develop and implement robust and effective planning and control systems to monitor and assure performance of Clinical Directorates in areas of devolved authority, responsibility and accountability in line with Hospital and funder (currently HSE) targets and criteria
* To generally oversee and co-ordinate functions and activities of Clinical Directorates
* To hold prime responsibility and accountability for Clinical Support Services:
* Health & Social Care Professionals
* Pharmacy
* Community Intervention
* Other Divisions, as appropriate and assigned by the Chief Executive Officer
* To develop and implement appropriate devolution and responsibility / accountability structures and commensurate planning and control systems for Clinical Support Services at the Hospital
* To develop, implement and maintain direct responsibility for the delivery of compliance to the National Service Plan targets for Scheduled and Unscheduled care in addition to internal KPIs
* To hold prime and direct responsibility and accountability for the Patient Flow and Bed Management at the Hospital
* To develop, implement and continuously review comprehensive bed management policies and procedures for the Hospital which assure balanced access by scheduled and un-scheduled patients to the Hospital
* To ensure that services / operations and facilities at the Hospital meet all clinical and other needs and are fully fit for purpose at all times
* To assure achievement of all performance activities and targets pertinent to clinical services / operations at the Hospital
* This job description describes the roles and responsibilities as currently envisaged. These may change over time in the light of Hospital’s corporate objectives and the national health sector reform program
* The post-holder is expected to undertake other duties commensurate with the post
* To participate in the Corporate Management Team on call roster
Qualifications & Experience required
Must Have:
* A minimum of 5 years’ operations experience in a senior role in a comparable health or social care organisation.
* Degree in healthcare management or equivalent 3rd level qualification.
* Professional qualification in a healthcare profession (Medicine, Nursing or Health and Social Care Professional).
* Master’s Degree.
* Track record of successfully leading and delivering change in acute operations in a model 4, or equivalent sized Hospital.
Reward & Recognition
* Remuneration is in accordance with the Department of Health Consolidated Salary Scales, grade code 0508 - Effective from 1st March 2025 - 6 increments from €119,983 to €146,287
* The appointment is fulltime, permanent and pensionable.
* The annual leave entitlement is 30 working days per year. The leave year runs from 1st April to the 31st of March each year.
* Normal working hours are 35 worked over 5 days. Your contracted hours of work are liable to change between the hours of 8 am to 8 pm over 7 days to meet the requirements for extended day services in accordance with the terms of the Framework Agreement.
Application Process
Applications can be submitted ‘on-line’ at www.tuh.ie/careers by completing the application form and attaching your CV. Candidates should be aware that, when applying for a post through the 'On-Line' Application System (Candidate Manager) they will receive an automated replying acknowledging receipt of their application. Should you for any reason, not receive this automated acknowledgement, you should notify the Human Resources Department, before the closing date, otherwise your application will not be considered.
All candidates should note that, in order to maintain a timely process, the closing date and time for receipt of applications will be strictly adhered to.
Informal Enquiries to: Mr. John Kelly, Interim CEO - Telephone (01) 4142845 or email CEO@tuh.ie
Closing Date: Before close of business on 2nd May 2025
**Please note it is expected that interviews will be held the week of the 12th May 2025
TUH Core Competencies: #J-18808-Ljbffr