Job Title:                              Director of Nursing (DON)

                                             Bon Secours Hospital Dublin (BSHD)

Reports to:                          Chief Executive Officer, (CEO) BSHD

Job Purpose

The Director of Nursing will be responsible to the CEO (BSHD) in influencing and shaping strategic developments within BSHD. In the context of an evolving Group Structure, the Director of Nursing will work collaboratively with the Chief Director of Nursing and Chief Quality & Patient Safety Officer (BSHS). The Director of Nursing will lead the development of a vision for the future, including transformational change which is aligned to the BSHS Strategic Plan, ensuring that high quality patient care is to the forefront of the BSHD. As a result, this will achieve improvement in the quality of care and the development of an organisational culture which is open to and empowers innovation, creativity and learning in a Clinical setting, consistent with BSHS’s mission and values. 

As an active member of the Hospital Management Team, the post holder is required to act as a professional and clinical leader in the development of Nursing practice and standards to ensure that patients, their relatives and carers have a positive experience when assessing and receiving care /services at the Hospital.

The Director of Nursing will play a key role in ensuring the delivery of BSHS 2030 Strategic Plan, currently in development. The post holder is expected to deputise for the CEO as requested.

Establishing and sustaining the BSHS Mission, Vision and Values, in a meaningful way for staff and patients will be a key deliverable in this key Leadership and Management role.

Key Internal Working Relationships

In the execution of the role of Director of Nursing, the post holder will have key working relationships with members of the BSHD Hospital Management Team (HMT), Chief Director of Nursing, Chief Quality & Patient Safety Officer (BSHS) and the BSHS’s Executive Management Team (EMT).

Key External Working Relationships

• Nursing Midwifery Board of Ireland (NMBI)
• HSE /Dept of Health
• Hospital Groups
• Universities and Academic Institutes
• General Practitioners
• Community Organisations
• Primary Care Providers
• Research Organisations
• JCI/JAG/HIQA / INAB
• Other Private Hospitals
• Trade Unions

Roles and Responsibilities

Professional Leadership, Education and Strategic Management:

• Work closely with the Hospital Management Team (HMT) and Clinical Director in the development of a nursing workforce planning strategy and implementing workforce changes and skill mix that will ensure the effective deployment of professional and support staff within BSHD.
• Provide advice, guidance and support to the HMT within the Hospital (BSHD) and across the BSHS on matters relating to nursing innovation, initiatives and professional standards.
• Work in conjunction with the Finance Manager (BSHD) and Head of HR (BSHD) to manage funding available for nurse education, training and research ensuring compliance with best practice and that resources are optimally utilised and remain within agreed budget allocation, representing best values for money.

• Work closely and collaboratively with the CEO (BSHD) and Chief Director of Nursing and Chief Quality & Patient Safety Officer (BSHS) to develop and successfully implement an integrated nursing strategy and high-quality service which is aligned to the BSHS Strategic Plan.
• Provide dynamic, professional clinical leadership and direction to Nursing staff to support the modernisation and improvement of services, ensuring the highest standards of care and full compliance with statutory requirements – e.g. Nursing & Midwifery Board of Ireland (NMBI /HIQA).

• Develop, maintain and review the Nursing organisational structure in the context of the alignment to the overall business objective and clinical direction within the Hospital (BSHD).

• To promote and maintain throughout the Hospital, the mission, vision and values of the BSHS, to ensure that patient focused services and activities are nurtured and developed.

• Ensure BSHD continues to develop and strengthen its reputation for excellence in front line care and positive patient experience based on sound principles of care and the mission and values of the BSHS.
• Develop an active programme of relevant research and liaise with educational providers to ensure the development of effective links between service, education and active programmes of research.
• Create and exploit developments and funding opportunities arising out of emerging professional and academic policies and initiatives.
• Identify and respond to opportunities for the use of innovative and established technologies in both Nursing practice and the management of Nurses and Nursing.

Operational Management:

• Provide professional and operational leadership to Nursing Staff to ensure the Nursing and Healthcare resource provision within the Hospital is ‘fit for purpose’, meeting the needs of BSHD, patients, carers and other stakeholders including regulatory and professional bodies.

• Work closely with Nurse Managers to provide advice, support and guidance which ensure effective and efficient patient focused service delivery.
• Lead a process of Workforce planning and development which positively positions the BSHD in a competitive marketplace and reinforces the Organisation as an ‘Employer of Choice’.

• Demonstrate effective leadership through exemplary people management and adherence to the Hospital’s HR policies and procedures.
• As designated by the CEO, lead the continuous improvement and transformation of clinical services.
• Ensure that an interdisciplinary and multidisciplinary approach to patient care is achieved and nurtured, while creating a culture of accountability and safety, openness to change and respect for both the individual and teams that supports the achievement of patient care.
• Proactively manage Pay and Non-Pay resources to ensure budgetary targets and requirements are adhered to and `value for money` is secured.
• Assist and support the establishment and implementation of a performance management culture and systems which encourages and supports personal development among Nursing and Healthcare Staff.
• Develop a series of key performance indicators (KPIs) and management reports for Nursing services which supports Group wide key performance targets.
• Monitor and evaluate the effective use of Nursing resources, alerting the CEO (BSHD) of trends and performances against agreed targets and ensuring adherence to the Hospitals financial budget and procedures.
• In partnership with the Head of HR (BSHD), develop strategies for the recruitment and retention of Nursing and healthcare staff.
• Compile Education, Training and Education plans encompassing mandatory, corporate and professional development objectives and to realise the capabilities and contribution of Nursing and Healthcare Staff within the Hospital.
• Work collaboratively with the HR Function to ensure proactive engagement and communication with the nursing workforce on the wider HR Agenda for change, which is conducive to positive Employee Relations.
• Provide regular reports to the CEO (BSHD) and Chief Nursing, Quality & Patient Safety Officer (BSHS) and others, as requested on all relevant Nursing activities.   
• Keep up to date with nursing literature, recent nursing research and new developments in nursing management and practice, participate in training programmes, attend relevant seminars and conferences relating to nursing management.
• Responsible for the bed management system, scheduling and patient flow and working closely with the Bed Utilisation and Scheduling Manager, Department Heads and individual Consultants to ensure bed occupancy is maximised.

• Liaise with the Nursing Management to oversee the plan and implementation of weekly, monthly and annual nursing and associated staffing allocations.
• Conduct regular ward rounds; meet with patients and to receive daily department reports from Clinical Nurse Managers.
• Ensure compliance with General Data Protection Regulations, through training, monitoring and audit

Resource:

• Efficient utilisation of pay and non-pay resources through effective deployment of approved budgetary allocation. Prepare annual estimates of all resource requirements within area of delegated authority. Review expenditure monthly and implement corrective measures as necessary.
• Co-ordinator of efficient and effective resource utilisation, i.e. skills mix, staffing, bed utilisation, theatre utilisation and supervision of the nursing staff.  Identify efficiencies through improved practices and innovation.

Quality, Safety and Clinical Governance:

• Work collaboratively with the Head of Quality, Risk & Safety (BSHD) and the Clinical Director to ensure high standards of clinical practice and performance and also ensuring the contribution of Nursing staff to the overall requirements of the Hospitals.
• Work collaboratively with the Head of Quality, Risk & Safety (BSHD) to identify areas for continuous quality improvement and work with various stakeholders to improve systems, processes and practices in line with the Hospital’s Risk Management program
• Perform a Lead role in governance of the following.

• Infection Prevention and Control
• Advanced Nursing Practice
• Nursing Professional regulation
• Hygiene
• Nurse Drug Prescribing
• Patient and public involvement

• Participate and play a leadership role in the Hospitals accreditation processes (e.g. JCI, JAG and HIQA) and other quality management systems in the BSHD to ensure compliance with quality and safety standards.
• Encourage, support and develop evidence-based practice. Promote and design innovative and creative approaches to clinical quality and quality performance, establishing targets and scope for continuous improvement.
• Support the implementation of best practice and disseminate learning from critical incidents, clinical risk management & complaints, taking action to prevent the recurrence of events.
• Ensure the delivery of high-quality patient care within areas of corporate and operational responsibility, in line with the governance structures and processes.
• In conjunction with Nursing management, continuously review operational policies, processes and guidelines in the Hospital with a view to ensuring efficiency and effectiveness with particular emphasis on bench marking against contemporary best practices to ensure a quality standard of patient care.
• Actively promote a Culture of Safety, participating in leadership walkabouts, encouraging teamwork and a robust reporting culture.

Building and Maintaining Relationships – Communications

• Play a pivotal role, through proactive communication and engagement, to ensure that the staff are fully integrated into the Bon Secours Community.
• Act as an ambassador for and lead Nursing staff in achieving the Hospital’s Mission, Vision, Values and BSHS Strategic Plan.
• Ensure good communication and inter-personal relationships with all staff and the multidisciplinary teams, promoting an environment that enhances staff retention and promotes good employee relations.
• Promote open communications throughout BSHD and the BSHS.
• Represent the Hospital and the BSHS, as appropriate, at Regional and National levels on professional Nursing issues, developing partnerships and sharing best practice.
• Develop and maintain partnerships with other healthcare organisations, Hospital Groups, HSE and other educational and academic institutions.
• Foster and grow effective working relationships between and across the BSHS and the relevant services in primary, community and continuing care settings at regional and local level.

ESSENTIAL QUALIFICATIONS

Be registered in the General Division of the Register of Nurses kept by Nursing and Midwifery Board of Ireland (NMBI)

A 3rd level qualification in Nursing and / or Health Care Management.

DESIRABLE QUALIFICATIONS

Master’s degree in leadership, Management or Business Administration

Post Graduate Clinical Qualification

ESSENTIAL EXPERIENCE

Have acute hospital nursing experience including not less than five years’ experience in a senior nursing management post or posts

Strong ‘people management’ and change management experience.

Experience of budgeting and financial management.

DESIRABLE EXPERIENCE

Senior leadership experience of implementing a quality management system in healthcare. 

CORE COMPETENCIES

The successful candidate will be strong in the following competencies:

Leadership & Direction

• Demonstrate a track record of service innovation and leading through influence.
• Have demonstrated effective leadership in a challenging environment.
• Demonstrate an aptitude for strategic thinking, coupled with leadership skills and the ability to motivate and lead specialist professionals.

Operational Excellence – Managing & Delivering Results

• Have a clear focus on operational performance, results and an understanding of the performance systems needed to manage a large hospital.
• Show a strong degree of self sufficiency, being capable of personally pushing proposals and recommending decisions on a proactive basis while actively suggesting improvements and adapting readily to change.
• Demonstrate evidence of effective planning and organising skills including awareness of resource management and importance of value for money.

Working with & through others – Influencing to Achieve

• Operate effectively in a matrix working environment.
• Be flexible, team orientated and a relationship builder and have a significant track record of achievement in the area.
• Demonstrate leadership and team management skills including the ability to work with multi-disciplinary team members.

Critical Analysis & Decision Making

• Have the ability to consider the range of options available, involve other parties at the appropriate time and level and to make balanced and timely decisions.
• Demonstrate knowledge and application of evidence-based decision-making practices and methodologies.

Building and Maintaining Relationships – Communications

• Have the capacity to lead, organise and motivate staff to function effectively.
• Have strong relationship building skills which facilitate collaborative working in a changing Organisation and evolving working and reporting relationships.
• Possess the interpersonal skills to facilitate working effectively in teams, while having the ability to give constructive feedback to encourage learning.
• Have excellent interpersonal and communications skills and be willing and able to act as a media spokesperson as required.

Personal Commitment & Motivation

• Be driven by a value system compatible with the aims and ethos of the BSHD.
• Demonstrate a patient/service user centred approach to provision of health and personal social services.
• Be capable of coping with competing demands without a diminution in performance.

CLOSING DATE FOR RECEIPT OF APPLICATIONS 30TH SEPTEMBER 2026

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. If you require any assistance, please contact [email protected]