Leadership Opportunity at Horizons
Horizons, formerly known as Cope Foundation, is a not-for-profit organisation that has been serving the Cork communities since 1957. Today, it supports over 2,800 children and adults of all abilities, helping them live 'Your Life, Your Way'. Horizons plays a vital role across Cork city and county, committed to enhancing the lives of people with intellectual disabilities and/or autism.
The organisation partners with individuals, their families, and local communities to provide a wide range of person-centred services and supports. A dedicated team of approximately 1,500 staff, working across 152 locations throughout the Cork region, delivers high-quality, community-centred care.
The Role of Chief Executive Officer
The Board of Horizons seeks to appoint a new CEO to lead the organisation into its next phase of growth and success. This dynamic leader will drive strategic development, translating high-level goals into actionable operational plans while ensuring delivery of high-quality services across the organisation.
Main Responsibilities
* Strategic Leadership:
o Work closely with the Board of Management to develop and execute strategic plans aimed at improving service quality, enhancing operational efficiency, and achieving key business objectives.
o Engage with internal and external stakeholders to align organisational goals, identify growth opportunities, and optimise resource allocation.
o Build and nurture strategic alliances with external partners to explore new business opportunities, strengthen market positioning, and enhance the organisation's reputation.
* Operational Management:
o Serve as primary management contact for all service-related issues, ensuring effective resolution and communication.
o Lead negotiations and oversee delivery of service agreements, including the annual HSE Service Level Agreement and other relevant contracts.
o Ensure services are person-centred, compliant with regulations, aligned with organisational values, and provide value for money.
o Monitor performance metrics, analyse data, and implement improvements to enhance operational efficiency and user satisfaction.
o Oversee safeguarding responsibilities, regulatory compliance, and provision of an effective emergency on-call system.
* Risk Management:
o Have a good understanding of Risk Management and approaches to identifying and mitigating risk in all areas of operational responsibility.
* Human Resource Management:
o Foster a positive, transparent, and equitable workplace culture while providing strong leadership and direct support to senior staff.
o Promote staff development through mentorship, training, and performance management while ensuring compliance with best practices and legislative requirements.
o Oversee recruitment, supervision, and policy development to maintain a skilled workforce and uphold transparency in employment practices.
* Financial Management:
o Develop and manage budgets, forecast financial needs, and monitor expenses to ensure organisational financial sustainability.
o Identify revenue opportunities and implement cost-saving measures while maintaining high-quality care standards.
o Ensure accurate, evidence-based financial reporting and compliance with audits and HSE Annual Financial Monitoring Returns (AMFR).
* Information Management:
o Ensure compliance with GDPR and provide accurate, evidence-based information to support decision-making across the organisation.
o Oversee timely production of clear, accessible reports, including Board Reports, Annual Reports, and other required documentation.
The Ideal Candidate
To succeed as the Chief Executive Officer, you must be an agile and strategic people leader with a proven track record of shaping an organisation's future direction. You should possess deep business and financial acumen, experience managing complex operations, ideally within a regulated environment in Ireland.
You will need to navigate regulatory frameworks, drive organisational success, and lead with vision to ensure continued growth and sustainability. Suitable candidates will be highly versatile and capable of dealing with diverse senior stakeholders and comfortable acting autonomously across all levels.
We are seeking high achievers with extensive management experience in financial oversight and staff management within the health, social care, not-for-profit, or disability sectors. The ideal candidate will have:
* Proven ability to plan, develop, and execute strategic initiatives aligned with organisational goals and objectives at a senior level.
* Demonstrated success in building and managing effective relationships with internal and external stakeholders, including statutory bodies and service partners.
* Strong expertise in risk assessment and risk management within both organisational and service delivery contexts.
* Experience in the development, review, and implementation of policies, protocols, and standards, ensuring compliance with regulations such as HIQA and GDPR.
* Familiarity with disability services, healthcare settings, and the use of databases to maintain compliance, with additional experience in social media and marketing being beneficial.
About the Opportunity
This is a high-profile opportunity to lead a highly regarded organisation and play an integral role in the successful delivery of services that transform lives within the community. As the prestige associated with this position enables the successful appointee to build their profile as a business leader, they may create senior opportunities in the HSE in the future.
For more information about this opportunity, please apply now for a confidential discussion.