The responsibilities & competencies required for the role of Head of Equine Welfare for Horse Racing Ireland are as follows:
Role Purpose
Reporting directly to the Equine Welfare and Bloodstock Director, the Head of Equine Welfare will drive the development and promotion of Ireland's Horse Racing and Breeding industries, through strict governance and the highest standards of integrity and welfare.
Reports to: Equine Welfare and Bloodstock Director
Key Responsibilities:
* Drive the equine welfare agenda within the thoroughbred racing industry.
* Develop and advocate for policies that promote equine welfare at local, national and international level.
* Develop and foster collaborative working relationships with key industry and external stakeholders to ensure that the equine welfare agenda is prominent.
* Lead and manage delivery of the Equine Welfare strategy within HRI, working with internal stakeholders, and promote the agenda within the wider industry.
* Manage budgets and resources effectively to support equine welfare initiatives.
* Be the key driver of change leading equine safety and care pillars - 'Standards', 'Traceability' and 'Safety Nets'.
* Develop insights for monitoring safety and core performance of industry.
* Provide expertise and knowledge on equine welfare as required and act as a spokesperson for the industry in this regard.
* Develop and execute the communications and marketing of the equine welfare portfolio.
* Lead and develop, in conjunction with equuip, an education, training and learning framework for equine welfare to support sustainable practices
* Lead sustainability initiatives to support HRI's sustainability goals.
* Lead and develop opportunities with relevant educational partners to ensure data-based research informs and supports policy development, formation and implementation.
* Support the Equine Welfare and Bloodstock Director with projects and research as directed by the strategic plan and the organisation's key priorities.
* Project manage specific interventions from concept to delivery.
Key Skills and Experience:
* Level 8 or equivalent qualification in Life Sciences
* Minimum 5 years + experience in comparable position
* Strong knowledge of equine health, behaviour and welfare standards.
* Proven experience collaborating with strategic partners/stakeholders to deliver best in practice solutions.
* A keen interest and strong understanding of thoroughbred racing and its stakeholders.
* Excellent written skills, with an ability to produce well documented reports for consideration at all levels
* Ability to work with pace driving forward multiple projects
* Excellent interpersonal and communication skills, with an ability to liaise with key internal and industry stakeholders
* Well organised, a multi-tasker who can work under pressure to meet key deliverables and thrives on new and diverse challenges
HRI places a strong emphasis on diversity, inclusion, and equality at all levels of the organisation. Any candidate who requires reasonable accommodations at any stage of the selection competition should indicate their requirements. Any queries in relation to any disability or other issue which may be addressed through making such reasonable accommodations can be addressed to careers@hri or telephone +353 (45) 455455. Appointment to this role is subject to the candidate's eligibility to work in Ireland. HRI is an equal opportunities employer.