We’re hiring a Director Quality and Nursing - Think you might be Interested?
Who are we?
Ability West is embarking on an exciting journey of transformational change and growth - focused on enhancing the lives of the people we support and fostering a culture of continuous improvement and strong leadership across our organisation. We operate a leading non‑profit organisation, providing person‑centred disability services for people with complex intellectual, and physical disabilities. In partnership with the Health Service Executive, we empower each person we support to live a meaningful and self‑directed life.
Founded 64 years ago by families advocating for better supports, Ability West now serves more than 600 adults and children across Galway City and County through a network of over 70 centres. Our services include day services, residential and respite support (adults and children), community support, therapeutic interventions, training centres, living my life project, best buddies and community inclusion programmes. In addition, we are patron to four schools which support over 170 children. Ability West continues to evolve to meet community needs, champion inclusion, and deliver high‑quality, person‑led supports.
We are seeking a dynamic and experienced Director of Quality and Nursing with exceptional people skills and a passion for inclusive service delivery. This is a pivotal role for someone who wants to make a meaningful impact—supporting both the people we support and the Quality and Nursing Team through a period of strategic growth and cultural reform. The successful candidate will lead the organisation in a challenging environment, steering its strategic development and implementing its progressive vision for individualised, rights-based, integrated service delivery in the community.
What DOES this role encompass?
As Director of Quality and Nursing, you will provide strategic leadership and oversight of quality, compliance, risk, and nursing services across Ability West.
You will contribute to organisational strategy, ensuring quality, safety, and regulatory compliance are central to service delivery while fostering a culture of continuous improvement.
Key responsibilities include:
Leading and supporting governance structures for quality, compliance, and nursing care, including relevant committees
Ensuring robust systems for the safe and effective delivery of nursing care
Managing and maintaining a centralised repository of policies and procedures, ensuring compliance with organisational standards
Developing and overseeing a comprehensive audit programme covering clinical and non-clinical services, and ensuring audits are completed, findings addressed, and improvements implemented
Supporting managers to identify and deliver quality improvement initiatives arising from audits, inspections, incidents, and other reviews, using standard improvement methodologies
Embedding a culture of learning by communicating quality initiatives and sharing best practice across the organisation
Overseeing the development, review, and approval of policies in line with governance processes
Managing the complaints process, ensuring accessibility, accurate recording, regulatory reporting, and analysis to inform service improvements
Establishing effective systems for document control and organisational governance
Coordinating internal quality audits to ensure compliance with standards and processes
As a member of the Senior Management Team, you will play a key role in organisational decision-making, corporate governance and policy development, reporting directly to the Chief Executive Officer.
What ARE THE REQUIREMENTS FOR THIS ROLE?
To be considered for this role, you will have:
A professional qualification in a relevant health or related discipline
Current registration on the live Register of Nurses maintained by the Nursing and Midwifery Board of Ireland (NMBI)
In addition, you will have:
Registration in one of the following NMBI divisions:
Intellectual Disability (RNID)
Mental Health (RMHN)
(RGN also considered; ID or Mental Health experience desirable)
A postgraduate qualification in Quality and Compliance (or equivalent)
Demonstrated clinical and administrative capacity to effectively deliver on the responsibilities of the role
A commitment to maintaining annual NMBI registration
Full clean driver’s licence and access to own vehicle.
Be eligible to work in Ireland and possess all necessary permits/visas if applicable.
Key Competencies:
Management experience at a senior level in a healthcare setting for a minimum of five years’
Excellent understanding of clinical governance, service planning, service provision and resource management.
Robust understanding Regulation and HIQA framework.
Experience of working in a post that has involved safety, risk management, quality improvement and regulatory compliance.
Experience of working in a senior managerial nursing position
Experience of leading change at a senior organisational level.
What do we offer?
Salary Grade 8 - 7 point scale starting at € 78 945
35 hours per week
Full time – permanent contract
Pension
10% corporate discount from choice of three LAYA Corporate Plans.eed more information?
Go to Join Our Team — Ability West for additional details and for informal queries, please email Cristina.Mendes@Abilitywest.ie
Thinking about it?
Don’t take too long! The closing date for applications will be 10.00 am on 15th June 2026.