Assistant Principal: Talent and Capability

Assistant Principal: Talent and Capability

Location: Dublin HQ or a regional office (by agreement), with a nationwide remit

Contract: Full-time, permanent (following a 9-month probation)

Salary: €83,113 - €97,292, plus long service increments to €103,576 (starting at the first point)

Closing date: Thursday 22 October 2026 at 5pm

About the HSA

The Health and Safety Authority is Ireland's national regulator for workplace safety, health and welfare. It also regulates the safe use and transport of chemicals and acts as Ireland's national accreditation body through INAB. Its vision: to deliver healthy and safe working lives and contribute to productive enterprises.

About the role

This is a chance for a proactive L&D professional to shape how a national regulator develops its people. Within the People and Organisational Development Team, you'll lead the Learning and Development function, drive talent and capability initiatives, and work with managers across the Authority to build the skills needed to deliver the HSA's strategy. It suits someone practical, collaborative and full of fresh ideas.

What you'll do

• Develop and deliver talent, learning and capability strategies, policies and workplans
• Identify learning needs through skills gap analysis, manager engagement and workforce planning, and turn them into practical programmes
• Manage the day-to-day L&D function, including the annual learning programme, leadership development and evaluation
• Run the PMDS process from a learning and performance perspective
• Advise people managers on learning, development and performance matters
• Support culture, engagement, wellbeing and EDI priorities through training and awareness initiatives
• Manage the L&D budget and the Learning and Development Committee
• Lead the procurement and rollout of a new Learning Management System

What you'll need

Essential:

• A Level 8 qualification or higher in HR, OD, L&D, talent management, business, management or a relevant discipline
• At least five years' experience in L&D, OD, HR, talent management, performance development or a related people function
• Strong collaboration, sound judgement and the ability to manage competing priorities

Desirable: a further qualification in L&D, OD or HRM, CIPD membership (or eligibility), experience building capability or talent programmes, and public sector or regulated-environment experience.

What's on offer

30 days' annual leave, blended working, a public service pension, a staff wellbeing programme with EAP and health screening, Cycle to Work and Tax Saver schemes, and support for further education through a Refund of Fees Scheme.

Different pay and conditions may apply to serving civil or public servants.

How to apply

Recruitment is managed by Conscia on behalf of the HSA.

For further information and an application form, click the apply icon.

No CVs or cover letters, please. Shortlisting is based on the application form only. If you don't get an acknowledgement within two working days, contact .

Selection may include interviews, online tests, work-sample exercises and a presentation.

The HSA is an equal opportunity employer and welcomes applications from people of all backgrounds. Canvassing will disqualify.