Booklet Assistant Principal Talent and Capability.pdf

HSA Assistant Principal Talent and Capability - Application Form Sept 2026.docx

The Assistant Principal – Talent and Capability is an important management role within the wider People and Organisational Development Team.

The postholder will lead the Learning and Development function, support talent and capability initiatives, and work closely with managers across the Authority to help build the skills, confidence and capacity needed to deliver the HSA’s strategic objectives. This role will suit a practical, collaborative and solutions-focused person who can think on their feet, bring fresh ideas and support a positive culture of continuous improvement, professional development and high performance.

This is an opportunity for a proactive and curious Learning and Development professional to make a visible contribution to how the Authority builds 

capability, supports managers and develops its people. The successful candidate will bring sound judgement, practical problem-solving skills and the confidence to contribute constructive ideas in a busy public sector environment.

Roles and responsibilities

• Develop, implement and review practical talent, learning and capability strategies, policies and workplans that support the Authority’s strategic objectives, workforce needs and wider People and Organisational Development priorities.
• Lead the identification of organisational, team and individual learning and capability needs, using skills gap analysis, engagement with managers, workforce planning priorities and sound judgement to identify where learning interventions can have the greatest impact.
• Translate identified learning needs into practical Learning and Development plans, programmes and interventions that support current and future business requirements.
• Manage the day-to-day delivery and continuous improvement of the Authority’s Learning and Development function, including the annual programme of learning activities, leadership development initiatives, professional development supports and related evaluation processes.
• Oversee the implementation of employee development, leadership and talent initiatives, ensuring that programmes are well planned, appropriately procured, effectively delivered and evaluated for impact against agreed objectives.
• Manage the Authority’s PMDS process from a learning, development and performance-support perspective, including coordinating timelines, monitoring returns, following up with managers and identifying development themes that can inform future learning priorities.
• Provide practical, solutions-focused advice and support to people managers on learning, development, performance management and related people matters, working collaboratively with colleagues across the People and Organisational Development Team to respond to business needs.
• Contribute to the development of the People and Organisational Development Team as a trusted, responsive and credible business partner to the organisation, supporting consistent, professional and people-centred service delivery to managers and staff.
• Work with senior managers and colleagues to support organisational culture, engagement, equality, diversity and inclusion priorities, including the development and delivery of relevant training, awareness initiatives and practical supports that encourage positive behaviours across the Authority.
• Oversee the annual Learning and Development budget, ensuring that expenditure is planned, monitored and aligned with organisational priorities, public sector governance requirements and value-for-money principles.
• Manage the Authority’s Learning and Development Committee, including planning meetings, preparing agendas and papers, recording decisions and actions, and following up with relevant managers to support delivery.
• Lead the procurement, development and implementation of a Learning Management System, working with relevant stakeholders to deliver a user-friendly platform that supports effective learning administration, reporting, evaluation and staff experience.
• Participate in relevant cross-organisational groups, including the Authority’s Wellbeing Committee, and coordinate agreed learning, wellbeing or engagement activities that support staff development, participation and organisational priorities.
• Manage assigned projects and programmes within the annual People and Organisational Development work programme, bringing structure, energy and follow-through to ensure that activities are delivered on time, to the required standard and in support of the HSA Strategy.
• Carry out other appropriate duties within the remit of the People and Organisational Development Unit as assigned by management

Essential Criteria:

The ideal candidate must be able to demonstrate:

• A relevant Level 8 qualification or higher in human resources, organisational development, learning and development, talent management, business, management, or another discipline relevant to the role.
• A minimum of five years’ relevant experience in learning and development, organisational development, human resources, talent management, performance development or a related people-focused function.
• The competencies required for the role, as set out in Appendix 4, including the ability to work collaboratively, exercise sound judgement, manage competing priorities and deliver high-quality outcomes.

Desirable Requirements:

In addition to the above essential requirements, it would be a decided advantage for candidates to have:

• A further qualification or professional development in training, learning and development, organisational development, human resources management or a related discipline.
• Membership of CIPD or eligibility for membership.
• Experience in developing, implementing or supporting capability, learning or talent development strategies, programmes or initiatives.
• Previous public sector experience, or experience working within a governed, regulated or policy-led environment, together with an understanding of governance requirements and central policies applicable to public sector bodies.

Further details can be found in the Candidate Booklet (linked below).

How to Apply

Conscia will be managing all aspects of the recruitment process on behalf of the Authority.

On this page, you can click on and download the Candidate Booklet and Application form.

Applications for this role are ONLY accepted on submission of a completed Application Form, available to download directly above.

You can also submit your completed Application Form by clicking "Apply for Job". Please note that CVs and Cover Letters should not be submitted. No enquiries or canvassing may be made to the Authority.

The closing date for completed applications is Thursday, 22 October 2026 at 5pm (Irish Time) . Applications will not be accepted after this deadline. Late applications will be ineligible for consideration. Therefore, it is your responsibility to ensure that you have allowed sufficient time for transmission of your application.

An acknowledgment email will be issued in respect of all applications received (this email will acknowledge receipt and it will not confirm eligibility or otherwise). If an applicant does not receive an acknowledgment email within two working days of the date of submission, the applicant should contact hsa@consciatalent.com to ensure the application has been received.

Booklet Assistant Principal Talent and Capability.pdf

HSA Assistant Principal Talent and Capability - Application Form Sept 2026.docx