Head of Monitoring (AP)

The Medical Council ("Council") seeks to recruit a Head of Compliance Monitoring (Assistant Principal Grade) within the Fitness to Practise Directorate, this appointment will be offered on a full-time fixed term contract basis for 12 months, reporting to the Director of Fitness to Practise (FTP).

The Medical Council's overall remit is to protect the public by promoting and better ensuring high standards of professional conduct and professional education, training and competence among doctors.

Following an investigation, inquiry, or at the point of registration, doctors may be required to comply with specific conditions or undertakings attached to their registration, or to undergo a performance assessment. In some cases, temporary restrictions may also be placed on a doctor's practice while an investigation is ongoing.

The core purpose of the Compliance Monitoring function is to co-ordinate, manage, and monitor all undertakings, conditions, and assessments applied to a doctor's practice arising from a regulatory decision. It ensures effective oversight, consistency, and compliance across the organisation. The function's remit spans multiple departments of the Council, including Registration, Fitness to Practise, & Complaints & Investigations.

The Fitness to Practise Directorate is currently undergoing a period of significant development and enhancement, with a strong focus on improving its processes, systems, and overall effectiveness. The Compliance Monitoring function is playing a key role in driving and influencing these improvements, helping to strengthen how the Directorate delivers its regulatory responsibilities. This is an exciting time to join the Medical Council, offering a unique opportunity for the successful candidate to lead a growing function, deliver meaningful change, and shape how the Directorate delivers effective monitoring and compliance in support of the Council's public protection remit.

Your key responsibilities will include:

Leading the development of the Compliance Monitoring function in line with a risk-based, outcomes focussed approach, ensuring compliance with all relevant legislative requirements.

Overseeing the compliance monitoring caseload, ensuring all cases are managed efficiently and transparently from referral through to completion.

Making operational decisions on case management, including prioritisation and allocation, and determining when escalation is required for non-compliance or serious concerns, in conjunction with the Director of Fitness to Practise.

Ensuring effective implementation of interface protocols with related functions, Committees, Council, external assessors and advisors.

Maintaining and enhancing banks of undertakings and conditions to provide clear, consistent templates forming the basis of proposed undertakings or conditions and ensuring that legal firms, Committees, and Council members are appropriately briefed on their use.

Evaluating and advising on proposed assessments, undertakings, and conditions prior to decisions, ensuring consistency, proportionality, and adherence to best practice.

Developing supporting protocols and guidance that clearly set out compliance requirements for doctors.

Building and maintaining strategic relationships with internal teams, Committees, external assessors, advisors, third parties, and national and international regulators to support the effective delivery of Compliance Monitoring activities and ensure alignment with global best practice.

Ensuring the Business Plan and Operational Plan objectives are met

Drafting reports for the CEO, Council and Executive Leadership Team and presenting same as required.

Analysing and reporting on key performance and risk indicators for all major datasets, enabling the Council to easily identify emerging trends and make evidence-based decisions.

Liaising closing with the Council's in-house Information Technology team and other technical specialists to ensure adherence to relevant technical and information security requirements and integration into the overall data and digital strategy for the organisation.

Driving continuous improvement, proactively identifying and implementing opportunities to enhance the efficiency, quality, and impact of the Compliance Monitoring function.

Take a leading role in the management of risk within the Medical Council - identifying, assessing, monitoring, and addressing risks.

Any other duties as may be assigned from time to time.

Essential Criteria:

Relevant third-level qualification (examples include, but are not limited to, legal, education, healthcare/ health-science).

Minimum 8-10 years' experience in a regulatory, health, or related public sector environment.

Experience leading teams, managing change, or delivering projects, demonstrating the ability to motivate others and drive results.

Proven ability to build and maintain effective relationships with internal and external stakeholders, including regulators, committees, and partner organisations.

Strong understanding of regulatory or compliance processes and the ability to apply this knowledge to improve systems and outcomes.

Desirable Criteria:

Project management or change management qualifications or equivalent experience.

Strong IT and data management skills, including experience with databases or case management systems

Good knowledge and understanding of the Medical Practitioners Act 2007 and the role of the Medical Council, its functions and the context in which it operates.

Essential Characteristics:

Highly organised approach with ability to be clear, comprehensive and concise in written communications.

A strategic thinker with the ability to lead by example demonstrating an ability to deliver on objectives and priorities.

Exceptional communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to build positive relationships with a variety of stakeholders across all levels both internally and externally.

Excellent capability in managing own workload / multiple requests.

Excellent organisational, analytical, and problem-solving skills, with high attention to detail.

Ability to deal calmly with unexpected challenges.

Knowledge of the broader healthcare regulatory environment.

Ability to provide leadership and development of a busy team:

Ability to make decisions based on a considered view of the situation and involving the right people in the process.

Promotes a culture of continuous improvement.

Experience of delivering complex change initiatives and achieving consensus on standardised approach often requiring compromise from competing stakeholders.

Details of Appointment

Position Type: This appointment will be offered on a full-time fixed term contract basis for 12 Months. A 6-Month probationary period applies to this appointment.

Salary: Starting salary will be at €83,113, which is the first point of the Assistant Principal Officer PayScale.

If you are currently a serving civil or public servant, your entry point to the PayScale may be higher based on your current salary.

There will be salary increment each year in line with the Assistant Principal Grade PayScale and subject to satisfactory performance, until the maximum point on the scale has been reached. The rate of remuneration will not be subject to negotiation and may be adjusted from time to time in line with Government pay policy

ASSISTANT PRINCIPAL - PPC Salary Scale €83,113, €86,173, €89,277, €92,390, €95,499, €97,292

€100,4271 (LS1 After 3 years satisfactory service at the maximum)

€103,5762 (After 6 years satisfactory service at the maximum)

Annual Leave: 30 working days plus public holidays

Hours: 35 hours per week, Mon-Fri.

Location: The Medical Council's offices are located at Kingram House, Kingram Place, Dublin 2. We operate a hybrid working model with both remote working and a current requirement for on-site attendance of two days per week.

Pension: The Medical Council offers a pension through the Public Sector Scheme. Contributions to the scheme will commence on joining the organisation. Candidates currently working in the Public or Civil Service may transfer their pension.

Rewards/ Benefits:

Dedicated Wellbeing Group and Wellbeing Initiatives, Employee Assistance Programme, Training and Development, Public Service Sick Leave Scheme, TaxSaver Travel Tickets, Bike to Work Scheme, Subsidised Flu Jabs, Paid Exam Leave & Study Leave, Income Continuance Scheme, Civil Service Credit Union, Annual Salary Increment.

Apply By: 30th September 2026

Expected Interview Date: 12th October 2026