Business Solutions Manager, ICT & Business Services

ROLE SUMMARY

The Business Solutions Manager leads the enhancement of the HPRA’s application systems, business processes and digital capability, enabling the organisation to fulfil its regulatory functions effectively.

The role requires a strong project delivery orientation, with clear accountability for translating business needs into prioritised, governed and measurable technology-enabled change. The role supports the HPRA’s organisational strategy, with particular responsibility for advancing digital transformation and ensuring that technology-enabled change delivers measurable business value.

The successful candidate will manage a varied portfolio of technology initiatives focused on developing transaction applications, enhancing digital integration, and improving the organisation’s data and analytics capability.

Working proactively with stakeholders across the organisation, they will develop an understanding of business processes, identify improvement opportunities and ensure that initiatives are prioritised, governed and delivered to improve regulatory operations and organisational capability.

They will bring a pragmatic, solution-focused approach and strong delivery discipline, working with stakeholders to evaluate competing demands, agree transparent priorities and trade-offs, set realistic delivery expectations, and maintain clear visibility of decisions, dependencies, capacity and progress.

They will also anticipate evolving regulatory and operational requirements, assess their impact on processes, applications, integrations and data, and ensure that future change is planned, prioritised and resourced in a structured way.

The HPRA is closely integrated with the European Medicines Agency and other agencies across the European regulatory network, and it builds, operates and develops critical solutions used across the network. The Business Solutions Manager will maintain active working relationships with European colleagues and stakeholders, support convergence and harmonisation initiatives, and contribute to the enhancement of shared regulatory solutions.

As a member of the ICT and Business Services leadership team, the Business Solutions Manager will lead and develop the Business Services team across technical, process and people-management dimensions. Working closely with the Director, the HPRA leadership team and colleagues across the organisation, they will set direction for the organisation’s approach to systems and process enhancement.

The role requires a strong understanding of information technology and business processes, sound judgement about how technology can improve organisational performance, and a proven ability to deliver process change and technology solutions.

It also requires effective people leadership and the ability to operate credibly at senior organisational level, influencing decisions and building alignment across functions.

The successful candidate will collaborate with leaders, operational teams, technical specialists and external partners to resolve complex or cross-cutting issues, navigate differing perspectives and secure clear, workable outcomes that support organisational priorities.

Reporting to the Director of ICT and Business Services (ICTBS), the role will be based in Dublin and may require some travel.

Success will be demonstrated through the delivery of agreed digital initiatives, stronger alignment between business needs and technology solutions; effective governance of demand, capacity and investment; measurable improvements in priority business processes; and the continued development of a capable, collaborative Business Services team.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

Strategic Management

• Drive and support the delivery of digital transformation initiatives and ensure alignment of activity with the HPRA's overall organisational strategy and service plans.

• Develop realistic plans and manage delivery of strategy components. Support the ICTBS department in delivering initiatives and projects that contribute to the achievement of the overall organisation strategic plan.

• Develop and maintain an integrated view of processes, applications, and change requirements across internal operational processes and common European platforms.

• Anticipate external trends and stakeholder needs, using expertise and engagement to embed HPRA’s vision, shape strategy and organisational direction while strengthening relationships for strategic impact.

• Maintain a forward view of evolving business process requirements, application development demand, and available resources and capacity. Determine and justify when additional capacity is required to support delivery schedules.

• Identify, plan and manage the integration of HPRA processes and applications with national systems and common European regulatory applications and platforms.

• Drive long-term strategic impact by promoting a forward-looking vision, leading change and innovation to deliver value and cross-functional impact.

• Identify opportunities for enhanced application functionality to provide operational efficiencies and improved process capabilities to the organisation.

• Maintain visibility of emerging information technology concepts and delivery models, and evaluate their applicability and value for the HPRA.

• Identify and implement improvements in business process analysis, application development and project delivery through process, technology, policy or operational change.

• Provide technical oversight across systems and applications.

• Represent the HPRA at information technology forums organised by the European Medicines Agency (EMA), European Commission and other organisations as required.

• Lead, manage and develop staff through change and development initiatives, providing a supportive environment to enable a motivated, impactful and adaptable team.

• Shape a values-led culture of sound and transparent decision-making by empowering others and providing organisational insight and strategic foresight.

• Support the ICTBS Director in the management and ongoing development of the ICTBS function.

Delivery and Technical Management

• Provide expertise, guidance and direction on all aspects of optimisation of business process and information technology solutions, and promote an effective quality and risk management culture.

• Translate organisational strategy into aligned team and service plans, delegate effectively, promote innovative and flexible delivery, track progress against long-term goals and adapt approaches to maximise impact and efficiency.

• Establish regular engagement with stakeholders at all levels to identify current and future process needs, maintain awareness of the evolving domestic and European regulatory landscape, and identify opportunities to improve processes and decision-making through the appropriate use of technology.

• Establish appropriate organisational sponsorship and engagement for change and technology initiatives, and ensure organisational change resources are engaged as required.

• Manage relationships with key stakeholders.

• Provide expertise, guidance and direction on all aspects of business analysis and project delivery, and promote an effective quality and risk management culture.

• Ensure that projects are delivered on schedule and within agreed scope, quality and cost parameters by applying appropriate delivery practices, tools, methodologies and controls.

• Oversee application development and manage external providers to ensure the quality and timeliness of their deliverables.

• Manage staff, internal and external, and third-party solution providers, ensuring coordination between parties contributing to the delivery of business solutions and effective communication with stakeholders.

• Continuously monitor current and future demand from projects and support requirements of production solutions, factoring these into capacity plans.

• Ensure effective management of investments in solutions and process change, and ensure value and expected benefits are achieved from initiatives undertaken.

• Support the ICTBS Director in managing budgets.

• Work with colleagues across the organisation to ensure effective implementation of the HPRA Quality Management System across the ICTBS department.

People Management / Team Development

• Foster a motivated, adaptable and high-impact team culture.

• Build a high-performing, inclusive team through open communication and shared purpose.

• Promote collaboration and accountability, and recognise contributions to progress.

• Build a culture of continuous learning aligned with organisational needs and long-term goals by setting development expectations and investing in capability.

• Use mentoring, coaching and feedback to drive performance, and allocate resources to ensure meaningful impact.

• Develop individual training plans, maintain records, and facilitate high-quality induction and ongoing training.

• Oversee training and development plans in line with budget allocations.

• Manage team members using performance data to drive improvement, set clear direction and accountability.

• Promote values-aligned behaviours and address underperformance.

• Guide staff through organisational change and development initiatives.

• Provide coaching, mentoring and performance feedback to team members.

• Support and participate in the HPRA’s Performance Development Programme (PDP).

• Recognise good performance and promote a culture of performance improvement.

• Promote a positive, open, friendly and professional working environment.

Communications / Customer Service

• Create transparent and collaborative communication channels, explain complex issues clearly, adapt communication strategically, and build trust, alignment and consensus through negotiation, influence, professionalism and diplomacy.

• Build productive relationships with internal departments, the European Medicines Agency and stakeholders across the European regulatory network so that cross-functional application development, deployment and shared-solution issues are addressed effectively.

General

• Perform such other duties as the HPRA may reasonably require.

QUALIFICATIONS AND EXPERIENCE

To be considered for this post, candidates must have:

• A 3rd level degree (NFQ Level 8) in a relevant discipline such as computing, engineering, science, or a business discipline with a significant information technology management component.

• A minimum of 5 years’ relevant experience at a senior level, including experience implementing business-transforming applications and technology, and contributing to organisational strategy.

• Demonstrable experience optimising organisational operations, identifying enhancement opportunities and leading technology-enabled process improvements.

• A successful track record delivering large and/or complex business change and technology projects/programmes across organisations.

• Strong knowledge and experience of project management methodologies.

• Demonstrable experience leading, managing and motivating teams in complex and challenging environments, fostering a constructive, collaborative and outcome-oriented work ethic.

• Extensive experience assessing and developing the skills and capabilities of business analysis, technology and project delivery professionals.

• Experience working as a member of a senior management team and interacting at senior levels within an organisation, with the ability to adapt to changing conditions and generate effective and pragmatic solutions to new situations and problems, both strategic and operational.

• Excellent communication and developed influencing skills, with a proven ability to relate well to people across a wide range of contexts and levels, as well as working collaboratively with a range of stakeholders in a solution-focused manner.

• Financial literacy, with experience managing operational and project budgets, including preparing and managing operational budgets, preparing business cases and assessing investment proposals.

• Demonstrable experience managing third-party suppliers, including procurement, contract development, supplier performance and contract adherence.

• Proficiency in the use of standard office software, such as Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, PowerPoint), cloud-based platforms (Microsoft Teams), and communication tools (Outlook, Teams).

In addition, the ideal candidate will have:

• An additional undergraduate or postgraduate qualification (NFQ Levels 7, 8, 9 or 10) in a relevant discipline.

• Experience working in a regulated, public sector, healthcare, scientific or European network environment.

• Public procurement experience.

REMUNERATION

Salary: €83,912 – €101,207 per annum (Incremental scale)

Candidates should note that entry will be at the minimum of the scale and the rate of remuneration may be adjusted from time to time in line with Government pay policy.

SUPERANNUATION

The new Single Public Service Pension Scheme (“Single Scheme”) commenced with effect from 1 January 2013. All new entrants to pensionable public service employment on or after 1 January 2013 are, in general, members of the Single Scheme.

LOCATION

The successful candidate will be working in the HPRA offices a minimum of two days per week (or 40% of available working days) and can avail of working remotely up to a maximum of three days per week, subject to the terms of the policy.

The specific days each week when you work at each location will be determined by your manager.

The HPRA reserves the right to cease, vary or change the office/home location split during or after the review period.

Notwithstanding any applicable remote working arrangement, you may be required to work at any specified location as may be reasonably required by the HPRA from time to time.

HOURS OF DUTY

The hours of duty are fixed by the HPRA from time to time.

The current arrangements are Monday-Friday (minimum 35 hours).

Appointees are eligible to participate in the flexitime arrangements after a period of six months.

DURATION OF POST

This is a 3-year contract post.

Note: The issuing of a 3-year contract is standard HPRA practice prior to moving to permanency for long-term roles, such as this.

ANNUAL LEAVE

Annual leave (exclusive of usual public holidays) is 27 days per annum.

DUTIES OF POST

The duties set out in the role profile above are indicative of responsibilities related to this role.

As with all posts, the nature of HPRA business is evolving and flexibility is required in order to adapt to changing business needs.

The appointee will be required to demonstrate flexibility and anticipate that the role, activities and responsibilities may change in line with business needs and organisational development.

HEALTH

A candidate must be fully competent and capable of undertaking the duties attached to the position and be in a state of health such as would indicate a reasonable prospect of ability to render regular and efficient service.

CONFIDENTIALITY AND CONFLICT OF INTEREST

Employees are prohibited from having any personal or financial interest in any industry that the HPRA regulates from the date of appointment with the HPRA.

All HPRA employees are required to declare any matter that could affect their impartiality or that could reasonably be perceived as affecting their impartiality.

All new entrants are required to complete a declaration of interests prior to commencing employment in the HPRA.

The HPRA’s Conflicts of Interest Policy provides guidance on the types of interests to be declared. Any interests declared will be evaluated and any potential conflicts will be addressed in line with that policy.

The HPRA deals with highly confidential matters including identifiable details pertaining to healthcare professionals, patients and commercially sensitive information. Employees are prohibited from disclosing any information in relation to such matters.

DATA PROTECTION

The General Data Protection Regulation and Data Protection Acts 1988-2018 apply to the processing of personal data and the HPRA is committed to complying with its legal obligations in this regard.

For information on how we process your information during recruitment, please see our privacy notice.

REFERENCES

The names and addresses of two referees to whom the applicant is well known but not related must be submitted with the application.

Reference may be made to current and former employers without further notification of the applicant.

Applicants having any reservations on this matter should so state at time of application.

CLOSING DATE

The closing date for applications for this post is 9th September 2026.

INTERVIEWS

Applicants attending for interview may be required to prepare a presentation/complete a practical test. Details will be notified to applicants who are shortlisted.

It is anticipated there will be two rounds of interviews for this post that will take place at the end of September/early October 2026.

Note: The HPRA is not in a position to reimburse expenses incurred by candidates attending for interview.

HOW TO APPLY

Applications should be submitted via the HPRA Recruitment Portal (Networx).

COLLECTIVE AGREEMENT: REDUNDANCY PAYMENTS TO PUBLIC SERVANTS

The Department of Public Expenditure and Reform introduced, with effect from 1st June 2012, a Collective Agreement which had been reached between the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform and the Public Services Committee of the ICTU in relation to ex-gratia Redundancy Payments to Public Servants.

It is a condition of the Collective Agreement that persons availing of the agreement will not be eligible for re-employment in the public service by any public service body (as defined by the Financial Emergency Measures in the Public Interest Acts 2009–2011) for a period of 2 years from termination of the employment.

Thereafter, the consent of the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform will be required prior to re-employment.

People who availed of this scheme and who may be successful in this competition will have to prove their eligibility (expiry of period of non-eligibility) and the Minister’s consent will have to be secured prior to employment by any public service body.

DECLARATION

Applicants will be required to declare whether they have previously availed of a public service scheme of incentivised early retirement and/or the collective agreement outlined above.

Applicants will also be required to declare any entitlements to a Public Service pension benefit (in payment or preserved) from any other Public Service employment and/or where they have received a payment-in-lieu in respect of service in any Public Service employment.

EQUAL OPPORTUNITIES

The HPRA is committed to fostering diversity and inclusivity in the recruitment process, ensuring that career opportunities are open and accessible to all, including individuals from diverse backgrounds.

As a regulator of health products for both humans and animals, we maintain the highest standards of integrity, equality and fairness in our recruitment practices.

If you have a disability or require specific accommodations at any stage during the application or selection process, we encourage you to inform us.

We are prepared to offer reasonable adjustments depending on individual needs to ensure that all candidates have an equal opportunity to participate fully in the application and selection process.

Please contact jobs@hpra.ie.