Programmes Director

Programmes Director (Social Care Management and Online programmes)

Grade VII, Permanent Full-Time (35 hours per week)

St. Michael’s House (SMH) provides services and support to people with disabilities, primarily with intellectual disabilities (ID) and/or Autistic Spectrum Disorder (ASD), and their families and supporters in the greater Dublin area. Currently, we provide a range of services and supports to over 2300 service users, including 1366 children with complex needs. We employ over 2000 staff across a range of roles and grades; direct support workers, social care workers and leaders, persons in charge, nurses, doctors, managers, clinical staff, administration, ICT, transport, education, training, and maintenance. (See www.smh.ie).

The Open Training College (OTC), Goatstown, D.14 isa commercial third-level institution established by St. Michael’s House in 1992. The College delivers a range of accredited (QQI) and non-accredited courses (blended/online) for the disability, health related and human service sector. (see www.opentrainingcollege.com). The Open Training College is wholly owned by St. Michael's House, Dublin.

We are seeking applications from enthusiastic, career-focused, and suitably qualified candidates to work in an exciting and challenging role:

Programmes Director (Social Care Management and Online programmes)

The Programmes Director has responsibility for the effective day-to-day running, management, and on-going development of all aspects of his/her assigned area in compliance with QA requirements. We would welcome hearing from you if you are a self-starter with a career interest in the delivery of higher and/or further education provision in disability and health related areas and if you meet the following criteria:

Essential Requirements for this post are:

• A L7/L8 degree in social care or ‘sufficiently relevant area’ (must be CORU registered or eligible for registration & complete registration with 3 months of appointment)
• A postgraduate qualification in management or other relevant area OR currently studying for a relevant post graduate qualification (L9/10)
• A minimum of five years’ experience in a management role in a relevant area of social care
• Excellent people management skills and competencies
• Excellent organisational, team-working, and people skills
• Excellent online learning development and implementation skills (including the ability to work with Articulate and Moodle)
• Competence in information/data analysis, synthesis, summarising, and presentation including report writing
• Must be able to drive and have access to a car for work purposes.

HighlyDesirable:

• Qualification/experience in the areas of Educational Technology/Instructional Design
• Understanding /experience of accreditation system(s) and programmes particularly under Quality Qualifications Ireland (QQI)
• Understanding of education and training within a large organisation as a way to support staff development and attain organisational objectives and strategy
• An in-depth understanding of the Irish framework of qualifications (NFQ) and its linkage to other educational frameworks internationally
• Relevant experience of working in Quality Assurance in an academic setting
• Competence in the management and operation of Information Management

What we can offer:

• Specialist mentoring and coaching for the right applicant with evident potential and who is building their skill and expertise in this area.
• Opportunity to work in a modern, inclusive, and friendly environment.
• Continuous education and career pathway development.
• Pension and Sick Pay Scheme.
• Work/Life balance (homeworking in line with HSE policy).
• Free on-site parking.
• Employee wellbeing supports.
• Cycle to Work Scheme.

Please refer to the Job Specification booklet attached for more details.

Informal enquiries to Raymond Watson, Assistant College Director at the Open Training College, at raymond.watson@opentrainingcollege.com

Salary Scale: Successful candidates will be in line with June 2026 HSE revised consolidated Grade VII: point 1 €61,219 – point 11 €79,583 per annumbased on workinga 35-hour week.

Applicants without public sector experience will be placed on point 1 of the pay scale.

Closing date forreceiptof completed applications 23rd October 2026 at 5pm

To Apply:

• Please provide us with an up to date CV with no gaps and a cover letter.
• A comprehensive CV, detailing education, skills, career history, experience.
• A short cover letter/personal statement (i.e., no more than 2 pages) outlining why you wish to be considered for the post and where you believe your skills, experience and values meet the requirements of the position with St. Michael’s House.
• Only candidates shortlisted for interview will be contacted.

Shortlisting will happen shortly thereafter, and candidates who meet the criteria will then be notified of an interview date likely to be scheduled the week of 2nd November 2026

Please note that a six-month panel from this competition will form from which future vacancies may be filled.

St. Michael’s House is an equal opportunities employer

Candidates should note that canvassing will disqualify them.