Interim Chief Operations Officer

Post: Interim Chief Operations Officer

Accountable to: Chief Executive Officer

Contract: Specified Purpose Contract

Hours: 35 hours

Salary: Grade VIII- Health Sector Consolidated Salary Scale, 1st August 2025

Closing Date: 16/02/2026

Organisational Context

Clontarf Hospital is a 160-bed Voluntary Hospital providing rehabilitation services under Section 38 of the Health Act 2004 for Adults and Older Persons. At Clontarf Hospital, our committed, expert and compassionate staff provide excellent care to patients on their rehabilitation journey. Our goal is to work in partnership with patients, providing care that is tailored to their unique needs, empowering them to achieve their optimum level of independence at home and in their communities.

The patient pathways include:

• Older Persons Rehabilitation
• Step-up beds and hospital avoidance pathways with the ICPOP Team
• Specialist Rehabilitation Services, including neuro-rehabilitation and rehabilitation after trauma, for adults and older persons
• Orthopaedic Rehabilitation

The Hospital has close links with the Mater Hospital, Beaumont Hospital, The National Orthopaedic Hospital, HSE Services and our Community Partners.

Purpose of Post

• The Chief Operations Officer (COO) is a Senior Executive Management post at Clontarf Hospital with a pivotal role which includes leadership, planning, co-ordinating and managing services and resources to ensure the delivery of a safe and quality driven rehabilitation service for patients.
• The COO is a key member of the Senior Executive Team that will support the Hospital to deliver on its statutory, regulatory and accountability requirements.
• The COO will work extensively with members of the Senior Management Team in Clontarf Hospital and represent the Hospital on Board Committees and externally as required.
• The role will encompass a significant focus on transformation initiatives that will enable the Hospital to best meet the challenges presented by a growing and ageing population. These initiatives include:

1. Service Development and Expansion

2. Infrastructural Developments and Enhancements

3. Sustainable Projects

4. Digital/E-Health/Cyber Security Development and Implementation

5. Strategic Workforce Planning

6. Hospital Accreditation

• The COO is responsible for the management of the day-to-day operations of the Estates, ICT, Patient Administration Services and General Services functions in the Hospital.
• The COO will assist and work closely with the Chief Executive Officer and deputise in their absence as and when required.

Essential Skills

• Minimum of 5 years’ senior management experience in a complex healthcare environment which includes operational and staff management.
• Experience of managing and working collaboratively cross functionally with multiple internal and external stakeholders in pursuing the objectives of the Hospital, as relevant to this role.
• A QQI Level 8 qualification in a healthcare, clinical or relevant area.
• Understanding and experience of Operations including Administration, Information Management Systems, Healthcare Record Management, Estates Management including Environment, Social and Governance (ESG), Information and Communications Technology (ICT) and Support Services within a healthcare environment.
• Understanding and experience of governance and compliance requirements relevant to the role.
• A track record of delivering significant change in a complex multi-stakeholder environment, as relevant to this role.
• A proven ability to develop, manage and deliver effective programmes of work, both through themselves and through others.
• Have the requisite knowledge and ability (including a high standard of suitability and management ability) for the proper discharge of the duties of the role.

Desirable Skills

• Working knowledge of HSE ICT operational structures, funding streams and governance arrangements, with a view to identifying and optimising funding opportunities.
• Working knowledge of HSE Capital Estates and Sustainability operational structures, funding streams and governance arrangements, with a view to identifying and optimising funding opportunities.
• A management qualification

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

Leadership and Accountability:

• Lead and develop a strong and dynamic team, providing vision and direction to the operational services, ensuring that organisational strategic objectives are achieved.
• Oversee and coordinate functions and activities in Hospital departments, continuously assessing, streamlining and improving service delivery and staff engagement as well as staff commitment to our patients and to the Hospital.
• Develop effective planning and control systems to ensure resources are secured, deployed and managed effectively within their area of responsibility and provide leadership for operational service delivery.
• Have strong communication, negotiation, influencing and diplomacy skills.
• Ensuring value for money in respect of their role

Operations and Performance Management:

• Delivery of safe, efficient and effective services to patients.
• Monitor and track performance targets and develop internal and external comparative performance monitoring information to support and inform decision- making and service efficiencies and improvement.
• Development of Hospital business processes with a strong emphasis on patient mapping, capacity management, cost efficiency and effectiveness, digitise business processes, etc.
• Interrogation of data, providing comprehensive comparative analysis, develop a range of performance management reports to support reporting and decision making within Clontarf Hospital.
• Re-organise and re-designate physical and process infrastructure to meet demands in a timely manner.
• Enabling line management to analyse data and make informed choices to support Senior Executive Management decision-making.
• Develop robust business cases underpinned by sound financial planning to ensure efficiencies and effectiveness of the service delivered and monitor implementation.
• Lead and work collaboratively with staff and members of the Senior Management Team in meeting the National Standards for Safer Better Healthcare
• Identify cost improvements, service developments and income generation opportunities within designated areas.
• Manage service arrangements as required.

Strategic Direction, Service Planning & Development:

• Contribute to and deliver on the key strategic objectives of the Hospital and ensure the effective development and operation of services within their remit
• Preparation of business cases and other proposals, to secure additional staffing, equipment and financial resources for existing and new service developments.
• Development of effective partnerships with external organisations and other stakeholders, agencies and regulators.
• Engage with external stakeholders to ensure that the Hospital is participating fully in the local area.
• Promote a corporate approach to the Hospital’s overall strategy objectives, mission and values.
• Ensure that there is a balance between the many competing demands for available resources while bearing in mind statutory financial duties.
• Establish good professional working relationships with the internal and external agencies, regulators and inspectors.
• Ensure that staff understand the importance of probity, regularity and value for money and that accountability for the use of public money is demonstrated at all times.

People Management

• Day to day line management for assigned staff
• Promote an environment that is conducive to the development of best practice, enhances staff retention and promotes good employee relations.
• Maintain a high level of staff morale, promoting good communication, team spirit and job satisfaction among members of the multidisciplinary team. Strive to ensure that staff are accountable, responsible and have authority to practice and manage within their roles.
• Play a role in the recruitment and selection of staff for the service.
• Ensure that staff are effectively supported with development of personal development plans.
• Ensure continuous professional and practice development initiatives in line with the strategic aims of the Hospital.
• Comply with all HR system and policy requirements including recording of relevant data
• Develop training and education plans encompassing mandatory, corporate and personal development objectives to realise the capabilities and contribution of all staff.

Communications and Information:

• Demonstrate excellent communication skills. As a key member of the Senior Executive Management Team, the successful candidate will work collaboratively with the Chief Executive Officer, Chief Financial Officer, Consultants, Director of Nursing, Quality and Patient Safety Officer, Nursing Management and Heads of Departments to ensure smooth and effective operations in the delivery of the Hospital’s service
• Provide reports for the Board as required.
• Establish and maintain effective communication networks within service groups, wards and departments within the Hospital.
• Maintain effective liaison with relevant HSE personnel to identify, progress and optimise ICT, Capital Estates and Sustainability operational funding opportunities.
• Maintain accurate and concise records that provide the necessary data for the purpose of evaluating and developing the service.

Risk Management, Quality and Patient Safety:

• Ensure compliance with all relevant HSE/ HIQA guidelines, policies, procedures and relevant legislation and regulatory requirements.
• Participate in the continuous review and evaluation of policies, guidelines and existing practices through regular audit programmes and review engaging with the multi-disciplinary team where required
• Continuously evaluate the effectiveness of the services and introduce related changes where appropriate.
• Assist in promoting a culture of continuous quality improvement across the Hospital.
• Be aware of the core objectives, standards and key performance indicators for the services and contribute to the monitoring of performance against these standards.
• Participate in the requirements of the Hospital’s risk management programme.
• Promote the delivery of a high standard of care to all patients.
• Work with members of the team in devising Standard Operating Procedures for the development of the Departments/Hospital.
• Ensure compliance with the obligations required by the Data Protection Acts and Freedom of Information (FOI) Acts, within area of responsibility.

Learning and Education:

• Promote a learning and continuous improvement culture across the Hospital
• Attend and participate in relevant staff development programmes on an ongoing basis and sharing knowledge with other staff members
• Assist in the training of colleagues where required.
• Identify training and professional development requirements within your area of responsibility.
• Attend all mandatory training days and ensure that all mandatary training is in date.
• Comply with all HR system and policy requirements.
• Engage in the Hospital’s performance achievement process in conjunction with your staff as appropriate.

The above duties and responsibilities are not intended to be a comprehensive list of all duties involved and consequently, the post holder may be required to perform other duties as appropriate to the post which may be assigned to him/her from time to time and to contribute to the development of the post while in office.

Garda Vetting:

• Arrangements have been introduced, on a national level, for the provision of Garda Vetting Checks in respect of candidates for employment in areas of the Health Service, where it is envisaged that potential employees would have substantial access to children or vulnerable individuals. A Garda Vetting Check will be sought for the appointee before employment. This is done for the protection of these vulnerable groups.

Health and Safety:

It is the responsibility of line managers to ensure that the management of safety, health and welfare is successfully integrated into all activities undertaken within their area of responsibility, so far as is reasonably practicable. Line managers are named and roles and responsibilities detailed in the relevant Site-Specific Safety Statement (SSSS).

Key responsibilities include:

• Developing a SSSS for the department/service1, as applicable, based on the identification of hazards and the assessment of risks, and reviewing/updating same regularly (at least annually) and in the event of any significant change in the work activity or place of work.
• Ensuring that Occupational Safety and Health (OSH) is integrated into day-to- day business, providing Systems Of Work (SOW) that are planned, organised, performed, maintained, and revised as appropriate, and ensuring that all safety related records are maintained and available for inspection.
• Consulting and communicating with staff and safety representatives on OSH matters.
• Ensuring a training needs assessment (TNA) is undertaken for employees, facilitating their attendance at statutory OSH training, and ensuring records are maintained for each employee.
• Ensuring that all incidents occurring within the relevant department/service are appropriately managed and investigated in accordance with Hospital Policy.

Infection Control:

Have a working knowledge of Health Information and Quality Authority (HIQA) Standards as they apply to the role, for example, Standards for Healthcare, National Standards for the Prevention and Control of Healthcare Associated Infections, Hygiene Standards etc. and comply with associated HSE and Hospital protocols for implementing and maintaining these standards as appropriate to the role.

Ethics in Public Office 1995 and 2001:

Positions remunerated at or above the minimum point of the Grade VIII salary scale are designated positions under Section 18 of the Ethics in Public Office Act 1995. Any person appointed to a designated position must comply with the requirements of the Ethics in Public Office Acts 1995 and 2001 as outlined below:

In accordance with Section 18 of the Ethics in Public Office Act 1995, a person holding such a post is required to prepare and furnish an annual statement of any interests which could materially influence the performance of the official functions of the post. This annual statement of interest should be submitted to the Chief Executive Officer not later than 31st January in the following year.

In addition to the annual statement, a person holding such a post is required, whenever they are performing a function as an employee of the HSE and have actual knowledge, or a connected person, has a material interest in a matter to which the function relates, provide at the time a statement of the facts of that interest. A person holding such a post should provide such statement to the Chief Executive Officer. The function in question cannot be performed unless there are compelling reasons to do so and, if this is the case, those compelling reasons must be stated in writing and must be provided to the Chief Executive Officer.

A person holding such a post is required under the Ethics in Public Office Acts 1995 and 2001 to act in accordance with any guidelines or advice published or given by the Standards in Public Office Commission. Guidelines for public servants on compliance with the provisions of the Ethics in Public Office Acts 1995 and 2001 are available on the Standards Commission’s website.

Benefits and Opportunities:

• Supportive, inclusive and collegial working environment that values staff wellbeing and mutual respect
• Opportunity to gain broad and meaningful clinical experience across a diverse range of rehabilitation cases, supporting both professional confidence and career development
• Strong collaborative working within a multidisciplinary team, promoting shared learning and best practice
• Active support for Post-Graduate Education and Continuous Professional Development, with a strong emphasis on ongoing learning and professional growth
• Flexible working arrangements, where possible, to support work–life balance
• Access to free on-site car parking
• Subsidised staff canteen
• Membership of a public sector pension scheme
• Access to Occupational Health Services
• Staff support and counselling services, reflecting our commitment to employee wellbeing and psychological safety