Operations Manager

highr; Mallow; On-site; EUR 85,000 - 110,000; Full time

Job summary

Highr Recruitment is seeking an experienced Operations Manager for a leading Irish home-care provider. The role focuses on the leadership and management of home-care operations across designated regions, with emphasis on service delivery, workforce planning and regulatory compliance.

You will work closely with senior leadership to drive quality, safety and growth, overseeing care teams, budgets and stakeholder relationships while supporting expansion into new areas.

Qualifications

• Minimum 3 years' management experience within home care, community care, disability services or related healthcare environment.
• QQI Level 6 qualification in Healthcare or Social Care, or equivalent.
• Proven experience directly managing healthcare or social-care operational teams, staff performance and care service delivery.
• Full, valid driving licence and willingness to travel across service regions.

Responsibilities

• Oversee day-to-day management and performance of home-care services across designated regions.
• Lead, manage and support Care Coordinators, Regional Care Managers and wider healthcare operational teams.
• Ensure safe, effective, person-centred care in line with individual care plans.
• Manage workforce scheduling, staffing capacity and continuity of care.
• Oversee mobilisation and delivery of new care packages and services.
• Develop and implement operational policies, procedures and performance standards.
• Identify operational challenges and implement practical solutions to improve quality and efficiency.
• Monitor staff performance, retention and training compliance.

Skills

Operations management

People management

Strategic leadership

Budgeting

Stakeholder management

Education

QQI Level 6 in Healthcare or Social Care

Job description

Location: Mallow, Cork– Office-Based with Regional Travel

Employment Type: Permanent | Full-Time

Sector: Healthcare | Home Care | Community Care

Reporting To: Chief Executive Officer

Highr Recruitment is currently recruiting an experienced Operations Manager with a strong background in home care, community healthcare, disability services or social care management on behalf of a growing Irish home-care provider.

This is an excellent opportunity for an established healthcare professional with proven operational management experience to take on a senior leadership position within an ambitious organisation at an exciting stage of its development.

We are particularly interested in speaking with experienced Home Care Operations Managers, Regional Care Managers, Community Care Managers, Disability Services Managers and senior healthcare service leaders who have successfully managed care delivery, operational teams and service performance.

Previous management experience within healthcare, home care or social care services is essential for this appointment.

Our client is committed to delivering high-quality, compassionate and person-centred care, enabling individuals to live safely, independently and with dignity in their own homes.

Working directly with the CEO, the successful candidate will take responsibility for operational performance, care delivery, workforce management, healthcare compliance, financial performance and business growth.

This is a hands-on senior leadership opportunity where the successful candidate will play a central role in building, developing and expanding the company's home-care operations.

Key Responsibilities

Healthcare Operations & Service Delivery

• Oversee the day-to-day management and performance of home-care services across designated regions.
• Lead, manage and support Care Coordinators, Regional Care Managers and wider healthcare operational teams.
• Ensure the safe, effective and consistent delivery of person-centred care in accordance with individual care plans.
• Manage workforce scheduling, care-hour allocation, staffing capacity and continuity of care.
• Oversee the mobilisation and delivery of new care packages and services.
• Develop and implement operational policies, procedures and service performance standards.
• Identify operational challenges and introduce practical solutions to improve care quality and efficiency.
• Manage service disruptions, staffing shortages, emergency cover and operational escalation procedures.

Quality Assurance, Safeguarding & Compliance

• Ensure care services operate in accordance with HSE requirements, safeguarding obligations, relevant Irish legislation and applicable healthcare standards.
• Work closely with clinical leadership to maintain high standards of client care, dignity and safety.
• Oversee incident management, complaints procedures, risk assessments and safeguarding processes.
• Develop and maintain quality assurance systems, operational audits and continuous improvement programmes.
• Ensure accurate and timely care documentation, reporting and compliance records.
• Support operational preparedness for evolving home-support regulations and applicable inspection requirements.
• Promote a culture of accountability, client safety and high-quality care delivery.
• Provide strong leadership and operational support to care management teams.
• Oversee staff recruitment, interviewing, induction, training and onboarding.
• Work closely with recruitment and HR teams to maintain appropriate staffing levels across service areas.
• Monitor staff performance, retention, absence, workforce capacity and training compliance.
• Conduct performance reviews, provide management supervision and support staff development.
• Build a positive and supportive working environment with clear expectations and accountability.
• Develop management structures and procedures to support future organisational growth.

HSE Contracts & Stakeholder Relationships

• Oversee the effective delivery of HSE-funded home support services.
• Maintain professional working relationships with HSE representatives, healthcare professionals, clients and families.
• Manage new referrals, care packages and changing service requirements.
• Ensure compliance with HSE contractual obligations, performance measures and reporting requirements.
• Support the mobilisation of new HSE contracts and service opportunities.
• Resolve operational issues raised by clients, families, care teams and external stakeholders.
• Manage operational budgets and monitor financial performance against agreed targets.
• Review care hours delivered, staffing costs, overtime, travel expenses and workforce utilisation.
• Identify opportunities to improve operational efficiency while protecting care standards.
• Monitor service profitability and contribute to sustainable financial performance.
• Prepare regular operational and management reports for the CEO.
• Support financial planning, forecasting and resource allocation.

Business Growth & Service Development

• Work closely with the CEO to support the organisation's strategic growth plans.
• Develop scalable operational procedures, systems and management structures.
• Support the introduction of new healthcare services and expansion into additional geographical areas.
• Identify opportunities to improve service delivery, client satisfaction and operational performance.
• Help establish a high-performing healthcare organisation recognised for quality, reliability and compassionate care.

Candidate Requirements

Essential Healthcare Experience & Qualifications

To be considered for this position, applicants must demonstrate:

• A minimum of 3 years' management experience within home care, community care, disability services, supported living or a closely related healthcare or social-care environment.
• QQI Level 6 qualification in Healthcare or Social Care, or an equivalent relevant qualification.
• Proven experience directly managing healthcare or social-care operational teams, staff performance and care service delivery.
• Strong understanding of HSE-funded home support services and the Irish healthcare environment.
• Practical experience overseeing care scheduling, workforce planning, staffing capacity and continuity of care.
• Knowledge and practical experience of safeguarding procedures, incident management, quality assurance and healthcare compliance.
• Experience developing or implementing operational policies, service procedures and performance standards.
• Demonstrated ability to manage service delivery challenges while maintaining high standards of client care and safety.
• Strong people-management, communication, organisational and problem-solving skills.
• Commercial and financial awareness, including operational budgets, workforce costs and management reporting.
• Ability to take initiative, work independently and manage competing operational priorities.
• Full, valid driving licence and willingness to travel across service regions.

Candidates must have relevant operational management experience within a healthcare or social-care setting. Experience solely in general business operations, without direct care-service management responsibility, will not meet the essential criteria.

Particularly Relevant Professional Backgrounds

We welcome applications from experienced professionals currently working in positions such as:

• Home Care Operations Manager
• Regional Care Manager / Area Care Manager
• Home Support Manager
• Community Care Manager
• Disability Services Manager
• Senior Care Services Manager
• Person in Charge / Residential Services Manager with relevant transferable operational experience
• Senior healthcare or social-care managers with responsibility for care teams and service delivery

Applicants from other healthcare management backgrounds may also be considered where they demonstrate directly transferable experience in managing care services, workforce operations and service quality.

• Experience managing multiple home-care services, regional teams or community-based healthcare operations.
• Previous involvement in HSE-funded services, contract management or care package mobilisation.
• Relevant third-level qualification in Healthcare, Social Care, Healthcare Management or Business Management.
• Experience implementing care scheduling or workforce management systems.
• Demonstrated success in improving operational performance, staff retention or service quality.
• Experience establishing new care services or supporting the expansion of a healthcare organisation.
• Knowledge of operational budgets, workforce utilisation, financial reporting and service profitability.

The Ideal Candidate

We are seeking an experienced healthcare or social-care leader who combines strong knowledge of care delivery with excellent operational leadership and commercial management skills.

The successful candidate will:

• Have a proven track record of successfully managing healthcare teams and care services.
• Understand the operational challenges of delivering safe, reliable and person-centred home care.
• Demonstrate strong knowledge of HSE requirements, safeguarding and care quality standards.
• Be confident managing staff, budgets, performance targets and stakeholder relationships.
• Take ownership of operational challenges and implement effective solutions.
• Be proactive, adaptable and comfortable working in a developing organisation.
• Have the ability to establish effective systems and processes rather than relying solely on existing structures.
• Be commercially aware while maintaining an unwavering commitment to the quality and safety of care.
• Demonstrate the leadership and initiative required to help develop and grow a healthcare business.

Why Consider This Opportunity?

Work directly with the CEO and play an important role in shaping the organisation's operational strategy and performance.

Join a growing healthcare provider with the opportunity to develop your career alongside the organisation.

Operational Ownership

Take responsibility for building and improving care operations, systems and management structures.

Business Growth & Development

Play a significant role in expanding services, strengthening operational performance and supporting long-term growth.

Meaningful Work

Help deliver high-quality home-care services that make a positive difference to individuals and families.

All offers of employment are subject to satisfactory references, applicable Garda vetting and verification of relevant qualifications. Our client is an equal opportunities employer.