Head of Human Resources - Galway

Bon Secours Health System Company Limited By Guarantee; Galway; Hybrid; EUR 110,000 - 115,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

None

Job summary

Bon Secours Hospital Galway, part of Bon Secours Health System in Ireland, seeks a Head of Human Resources on a specified purpose contract (up to 6 months) for 18.5 hours per week. The role leads HR initiatives and manages core HR operations across the Galway site, acting as a change leader and strategic advisor.

You will oversee workforce planning, IR/ER matters, and compliance with Irish employment law, with responsibility for budgets, talent development, and patient‑facing culture.

Qualifications

• Extensive HR Management experience.
• Experience in implementing change management initiatives.
• Strong knowledge and experience of employment law and employee relations in Ireland.
• Excellent interpersonal, leadership, people management with a solution focused approach, accountability and communication skills.
• Excellent computer literacy with extensive experience using computer systems and applications.
• A flexible approach to work patterns to meet service needs.
• Promotes a culture of Care, Compassion and Commitment aligned with Bon Secours values.

Responsibilities

• Lead strategic HR initiatives across Galway Hospital to align workforce planning, talent development and culture with system goals.
• Manage HR operations ensuring compliance with Irish employment law and healthcare regulations.
• Advise local management on IR/ER matters with HRBP and Employee Relations teams.
• Serve as strategic advisor to hospital leadership on change management and workforce transformation.
• Develop local workforce strategies in partnership with hospital leaders.
• Deliver HR function plans and budgets and drive performance and development programs.
• Participate as a member of Hospital Management Team and HR Management Team.

Skills

HR management

Change management

Irish employment law

Employee relations

Leadership

Communication

Education

HR degree

CIPD (Desirable)

Job description

Head of Human Resources Specified Purpose up to 6 months - Part-Time (18.5 hours per week) Remuneration: €110 - 115k (Pro rata for part-time hours) dependent on relevant experience An opportunity has arisen for Head of Human Resources (Specified Purpose Contract) to join the Bon Secours Hospital in Galway part of the Bon Secours Health System Ireland’s Largest Private Healthcare provider.

Job Purpose: The Head of HR will lead Human Resources initiatives and manage core HR operations across Bon Secours Hospital Galway. It is the leader for change management and driver of human resource strategies and practices to achieve strategic goals.

Responsibilities and Experience:

• Lead strategic Human Resource initiatives across the Galway Hospital to ensure workforce planning, talent development, and culture align with hospital and system goals.
• Manage HR operations ensuring compliance with Irish employment law, healthcare regulations, and best practice.
• Provide advice and support to local management teams on IR/ER matters, working closely with the HR Business Partner and Employee Relations team to ensure issues are managed effectively, consistently and appropriately.
• Act as a strategic advisor to hospital leadership and clinical teams on change management, engagement, and workforce transformation.
• Partner with hospital leaders to develop local workforce strategies that support the objectives of the Hospital.
• Provide strategic direction, leadership, and planning to the local HR function to deliver results and solve complex organisational challenges.
• Participate fully as a member of the Hospital Management Team.
• Actively work as a member of the HR Management Team (HRMT) to ensure cohesion and consistency across the Group.
• Responsible for ensuring HR compliance and accreditation such as JCI and HIQA standards across designated hospital sites, supporting audit readiness and continuous quality improvement.
• Work in partnership with Finance to ensure headcount and lead on budgetary compliance.
• Promote health and wellbeing strategies that foster employee engagement and organisational success.
• Lead local implementation of organisational change aligned with the BSHS strategic Plan and BSMH Integration Road Map.
• Drive positive employee relations, focusing on innovative engagement models.
• Manage HR function plans and budgets, ensuring delivery of outcomes.
• Shape and execute workforce plans to attract and retain key talent.
• Partner with Head of Talent Acquisition to enhance Talent Acquisition strategies and delivery models.
• Implement integrated talent management, career development, and succession planning.
• Embed a high-performance culture through alignment of performance, reward, and development practices.
• Act as a leader and ambassador for the Health System’s Mission, Vision, and Values.
• Contribute to the BSMH Integration Road Map, enhancing HR service offerings in Ireland.

Essential Experience:

• Extensive HR Management experience
• Experience in implementing change management initiatives.
• Strong knowledge and experience of employment law and employee relations in Ireland
• Excellent interpersonal, leadership, people management with a solution focused approach, accountability, and communication skills
• Excellent computer literacy skills with extensive experience in using computer systems and applications
• A flexible approach to work patterns is required to meet service needs
• The ability to promote and foster a culture of Care, Compassion and Commitment honouring the core values of Bon Secours Hospital System

Essential Qualifications:

• Third level qualification in Human Resource Management or related field.
• CIPD Qualified (Desirable)

Panel: A panel may be formed from which future vacancies will be filled.

Informal Inquiries: Ms Tara Lougheed (Chief People Officer) [e-mail]

Bon Secours Health System is an equal opportunities employer. Our values of Human Dignity, Compassion, Stewardship, Service and Integrity guide everything we do. We are committed to fostering an inclusive and supportive workplace where all employees have the opportunity to thrive. We welcome applications from individuals of all backgrounds, abilities and perspectives, and provide reasonable accommodations throughout the recruitment process.

As Ireland’s largest independent hospital group, Bon Secours Health System is renowned for the quality of its service provision coupled with a rich tradition in healthcare. Bon Secours Health System CLG is a not-for-profit organisation with its mission centred on providing compassionate, world class medical treatment to all those it serves. With more than 4,000 staff, 500 leading consultants, Bon Secours treats more than 400,000 patients annually in its five modern acute hospitals in Cork, Galway, Limerick, Tralee and Dublin as well as a Care Village in Cork. Bon Secours Health System is internationally accredited by the Joint Commission International Accreditation Standards for Hospital (JCI), the leading organisation in the international accreditation of hospitals for quality and patient safety.