Assistant Principal: Talent & Capability

Health and Safety Authority; Dublin; On-site; EUR 80,000 - 110,000; Full time

Job summary

Health and Safety Authority seeks an Assistant Principal – Talent and Capability to lead the Learning and Development function and drive talent, capability and leadership initiatives across the organisation. The postholder will partner with managers to enhance skills, confidence and capacity to deliver the Authority’s strategic objectives.

The role requires practical problem-solving, collaboration and a track record in developing people, with strong governance and public sector awareness.

Qualifications

• 5 years+ of experience in learning and development, organisational development, or HR functions.
• Ability to work collaboratively and exercise sound judgement.
• Competencies include prioritising competing demands and delivering high-quality outcomes.

Responsibilities

• Develop, implement and review talent, learning and capability strategies and workplans.
• Lead identification of learning needs via skills gap analysis and workforce planning.
• Translate needs into practical L&D plans and interventions.
• Manage day-to-day delivery of L&D activities and leadership development initiatives.
• Oversee PMDS process from a learning perspective and coordinate timelines.
• Provide practical, solutions-focused advice to people managers.
• Support culture, engagement, equality, diversity and inclusion initiatives.
• Oversee annual L&D budget and procurement of initiatives.
• Lead LMS procurement, development and implementation for learning administration.

Skills

Collaboration

Sound judgement

Prioritisation

Deliver high-quality outcomes

Education

Level 8 qualification in HR / Organisational Development

Tools

Learning Management System

Job description

Booklet Assistant Principal Talent and Capability.pdf

HSA Assistant Principal Talent and Capability - Application Form Sept 2026.docx

The Assistant Principal – Talent and Capability is an important management role within the wider People and Organisational Development Team.

The postholder will lead the Learning and Development function, support talent and capability initiatives, and work closely with managers across the Authority to help build the skills, confidence and capacity needed to deliver the HSA’s strategic objectives. This role will suit a practical, collaborative and solutions-focused person who can think on their feet, bring fresh ideas and support a positive culture of continuous improvement, professional development and high performance.

This is an opportunity for a proactive and curious Learning and Development professional to make a visible contribution to how the Authority builds

capability, supports managers and develops its people. The successful candidate will bring sound judgement, practical problem-solving skills and the confidence to contribute constructive ideas in a busy public sector environment.

Roles and responsibilities

• Develop, implement and review practical talent, learning and capability strategies, policies and workplans that support the Authority’s strategic objectives, workforce needs and wider People and Organisational Development priorities.
• Lead the identification of organisational, team and individual learning and capability needs, using skills gap analysis, engagement with managers, workforce planning priorities and sound judgement to identify where learning interventions can have the greatest impact.
• Translate identified learning needs into practical Learning and Development plans, programmes and interventions that support current and future business requirements.
• Manage the day-to-day delivery and continuous improvement of the Authority’s Learning and Development function, including the annual programme of learning activities, leadership development initiatives, professional development supports and related evaluation processes.
• Oversee the implementation of employee development, leadership and talent initiatives, ensuring that programmes are well planned, appropriately procured, effectively delivered and evaluated for impact against agreed objectives.
• Manage the Authority’s PMDS process from a learning, development and performance-support perspective, including coordinating timelines, monitoring returns, following up with managers and identifying development themes that can inform future learning priorities.
• Provide practical, solutions-focused advice and support to people managers on learning, development, performance management and related people matters, working collaboratively with colleagues across the People and Organisational Development Team to respond to business needs.
• Contribute to the development of the People and Organisational Development Team as a trusted, responsive and credible business partner to the organisation, supporting consistent, professional and people-centred service delivery to managers and staff.
• Work with senior managers and colleagues to support organisational culture, engagement, equality, diversity and inclusion priorities, including the development and delivery of relevant training, awareness initiatives and practical supports that encourage positive behaviours across the Authority.
• Oversee the annual Learning and Development budget, ensuring that expenditure is planned, monitored and aligned with organisational priorities, public sector governance requirements and value-for-money principles.
• Manage the Authority’s Learning and Development Committee, including planning meetings, preparing agendas and papers, recording decisions and actions, and following up with relevant managers to support delivery.
• Lead the procurement, development and implementation of a Learning Management System, working with relevant stakeholders to deliver a user-friendly platform that supports effective learning administration, reporting, evaluation and staff experience.
• Participate in relevant cross-organisational groups, including the Authority’s Wellbeing Committee, and coordinate agreed learning, wellbeing or engagement activities that support staff development, participation and organisational priorities.
• Manage assigned projects and programmes within the annual People and Organisational Development work programme, bringing structure, energy and follow-through to ensure that activities are delivered on time, to the required standard and in support of the HSA Strategy.
• Carry out other appropriate duties within the remit of the People and Organisational Development Unit as assigned by management

The ideal candidate must be able to demonstrate:

• A relevant Level 8 qualification or higher in human resources, organisational development, learning and development, talent management, business, management, or another discipline relevant to the role.
• A minimum of five years’ relevant experience in learning and development, organisational development, human resources, talent management, performance development or a related people-focused function.
• The competencies required for the role, as set out in Appendix 4 of the Candidate Booklet, including the ability to work collaboratively, exercise sound judgement, manage competing priorities and deliver high-quality outcomes.

In addition to the above essential requirements, it would be a decided advantage for candidates to have:

• A further qualification or professional development in training, learning and development, organisational development, human resources management or a related discipline.
• Membership of CIPD or eligibility for membership.
• Experience in developing, implementing or supporting capability, learning or talent development strategies, programmes or initiatives.
• Previous public sector experience, or experience working within a governed, regulated or policy-led environment, together with an understanding of governance requirements and central policies applicable to public sector bodies.

Further details can be found in the Candidate Booklet.

Booklet Assistant Principal Talent and Capability.pdf

HSA Assistant Principal Talent and Capability - Application Form Sept 2026.docx