Head of Health Promotion, Information & Training

Role overview

The Irish Heart Foundation is seeking a permanent, full-time Head of Health Promotion, Information & Training to lead its Empower strategic pillar from the Dublin 6 office in Rathmines, with a hybrid working arrangement. Reporting to the Deputy CEO & Director of Services, the postholder will guide nationwide work in health promotion, cardiovascular prevention and CPR training.

The organisation is Ireland’s national charity focused on reducing the impact of heart disease and stroke. Its services support people living with cardiovascular conditions, help prevent illness, and aim to improve health outcomes for communities across the country. The Foundation has around 130 employees and up to 140 volunteers.

What the role involves

This senior leadership position is responsible for turning strategy into practical plans, measurable targets and service improvements. The successful candidate will strengthen programmes, improve quality, track outcomes, and help secure funding for continued growth. The role also contributes to digital transformation, evidence-based service development and broader sector leadership.

Strategic leadership

You will convert the Empower pillar’s priorities and the organisation’s wider goals into operational plans, KPIs and measurable impact indicators. The role requires close alignment with national health policy and the development of new interventions informed by evidence and technology.

Programme leadership

The postholder will oversee health checks, health information, children and young people services, and resuscitation training. A key part of the role is ensuring that services are delivered effectively, meet targets, support disadvantaged communities, and help reduce health inequalities. You will also support business development and revenue growth in CPR and training services.

Quality, governance and risk

You will be expected to maintain high standards across data protection, health and safety, clinical guidance, safeguarding and funding compliance. The role includes developing risk controls, monitoring performance against benchmarks, managing delegated budget responsibilities, and ensuring all health, safety and welfare duties are understood and followed within the department.

Monitoring, impact and reporting

The role requires the creation of evaluation and reporting frameworks across all Empower services. You will ensure timely and accurate CRM data entry, use data to improve planning and reporting, provide updates to senior leadership, and work on research ideas, presentations and business cases where suitable.

People leadership

You will lead multidisciplinary teams across four functional areas: children and young people, health checks, health information and resuscitation. The role involves supporting direct reports, strengthening team capability, encouraging innovation and collaboration, and promoting the Foundation’s values in day-to-day leadership.

Partnerships and external influence

The postholder will develop and maintain strong working relationships with partners, represent the organisation in relevant regional and national settings, act as a media spokesperson on health promotion and prevention, and help secure funding for priority services and activities.

Digital innovation

The role includes expanding digital service delivery, supporting CRM adoption, improving programmes through data, and testing new tools that can enhance service reach and effectiveness.

Essential experience and qualifications

Applicants should hold a degree, or have equivalent demonstrable professional experience, in Public Health, Health Promotion, Health Sciences, Nursing, an Allied Health profession, Psychology with a behaviour change focus, Education, Training, Social Sciences, or a related field. At least 5 years of senior leadership experience in health promotion, public health, education, training or prevention is required.

You should have a strong record of delivering large-scale national programmes, understand cardiovascular risk, behaviour change and health inequalities, and bring experience in evaluation, quality improvement, performance monitoring, proposal writing and funding applications. Strong digital skills and a data-led approach are also important.

Desirable background

Helpful additional experience includes a qualification in public health, health promotion or education, registration as an IUHPE health promotion practitioner, familiarity with HSE structures or national clinical programmes, and knowledge of digital health, hybrid delivery, health literacy methods and community-based prevention.

Working pattern and conditions

This is a Monday to Friday position. The role is based in the Foundation’s Rathmines, Dublin office under a hybrid arrangement, with two required office days each week: Monday and Thursday. There is also an option to work from the office five days a week if preferred.

The job description is intended as a guide and may be revised depending on business needs.

Benefits

The organisation offers a pension scheme with up to 5% employee and employer contributions and employer contributions from day one. Additional benefits include life assurance at four times base salary from the start of employment, income continuance/disability cover at no cost from day one, paid maternity leave, paid paternity leave, company sick pay, company health checks, generous annual leave with extra company and service days, a Bike to Work Scheme, strong public transport access, an Employee Assistance Programme, office facilities including kitchen and changing areas, staff social and wellbeing activities, CPR training for all employees, and ongoing learning and development support.

How to apply

Applicants should send an up-to-date CV and a cover letter explaining their suitability for the role by email to hr@irishheart.ie. The closing date is COB 15 July 2026, and the role name should be included in the subject line.

Health, safety and workplace policy

The Foundation requires all staff to follow health and safety procedures and risk controls, and to take reasonable steps to protect their own safety and that of colleagues, volunteers and service users. The organisation also operates a no smoking and no vaping policy, and employees may not smoke while carrying out duties for the Foundation.

Privacy and recruitment data

Candidate information is retained for 12 months and then deleted. Anyone wishing to have their data removed sooner may contact HR directly. The organisation also asks candidates who need adjustments during recruitment to contact HR for accommodation support.

Equality statement

The Irish Heart Foundation is an equal opportunities employer.