RQIA Director of Independent Healthcare and Responsible Officer (Medical)

The Regulation and Quality Improvement Authority; Belfast; Hybrid; GBP 106,000 - 140,000; Full time

Job summary

A health regulatory body in Northern Ireland is seeking a Director of Independent Healthcare and Responsible Officer to provide corporate medical leadership. The successful candidate will oversee reviews, investigations, and registrations of independent health care providers while promoting quality improvement. This permanent position offers flexible and hybrid working options within the salary range of £106,424 - £139,920. Applications are open until 16th January 2026.

Qualifications

• Experience in a senior medical leadership role.
• Ability to work effectively within regulatory frameworks.
• Proven track record of conducting reviews and inspections.

Responsibilities

• Provide corporate medical leadership to the Executive Team.
• Conduct reviews, investigations, and inspections.
• Register independent health care providers regulated by RQIA.

Skills

Diplomacy

Assertiveness

Ability to undertake challenging conversations

Job description

RQIA Director of Independent Healthcare and Responsible Officer (Medical)

Are you passionate about improving health and social care across Northern Ireland?

The Regulation and Quality Improvement Authority (RQIA) is the independent regulator of health and social care in Northern Ireland. Through our inspections and reviews we encourage improvement, and make sure people receive high quality, safe, effective, compassionate care in well managed services.

We are offering a unique opportunity to a medical leader to work in a senior leadership role across RQIA, in its role as the regulator of health and social care, particularly the growing independent healthcare sector; in promoting the use of quality improvement, and in informing the wider transformation of health and social care systems in Northern Ireland.

The individual will be a member of the RQIA Executive Team, providing corporate medical leadership and responsible for conducting reviews, investigations and inspections, and for the registration of the range of independent health care providers which RQIA regulates in accordance with the Health and Personal Social Services (Quality, Improvement and Regulation) Order (NI) 2003. They will also be the responsible Officer (RO) for those ROs working in the independent sector; and for any medical staff employed by RQIA.

The successful applicant will demonstrate the highest levels of diplomacy, assertiveness, and ability to undertake challenging conversations.

Permanent Position: 10 PAs (Programmed Activity) (consideration of 8 PA’s; flexible and hybrid working available)

Salary: Commensurate with Consultant Grade (M400 £106,424 - £139,920) 2025

For further information, and to make an application, please click the Apply button.

The closing date for applications: Friday, 16th January 2026 at 5.00 pm
Interviews will take place on Week Commencing Monday 2 February 2026.

THE RQIA IS AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITIES EMPLOYER.