The Royal College of Physicians of Ireland is a postgraduate medical training college dedicated to ensuring that doctors have the skills to provide patients with the best possible care. Founded in 1654, the college supports doctors to enhance their skills, competencies, and professionalism throughout their working lives.
Through its Faculties and Institutes, The Royal College of Physicians of Ireland, offers medical training programmes, examinations, diplomas, and educational courses to equip doctors with the skills and knowledge they need to care for patients and run safe and efficient healthcare systems. It also offers a range of educational diplomas and courses for learners in the wider healthcare sector.
Role: Higher Specialist Training (HST) Team Lead
Department: Training Delivery
Contract: 18 Months Fixed Term
Salary: €42,500 + Benefits
Closing date: 6 July 2026 at 16:00
The HST Programme Team Lead is responsible for the leadership, strategic oversight, and continuous improvement of Higher Specialist Training programme delivery in conjunction with the Higher Specialist Training Manager. This role leads a team of Programme Coordinators and takes ownership of operational processes, systems management, and programme lifecycle planning.
The Team Lead ensures consistency, quality, and efficiency across all training programmes, proactively driving process improvements, managing system rollovers, maintaining SOPs, and leading key internal initiatives while acting as a senior stakeholder contact.
The Team Lead is responsible for the following but is not limited to:
Team Leadership & Management
- Lead, line manage, and develop team of HST Programme Coordinators
- Allocate workload effectively across specialties to meet internal and external deadlines
- Foster a high-performing and collaborative team culture
- Act as escalation point for complex issues to HST Postgraduate Training Manager, and deputise in their absence
Process Ownership & Continuous Improvement
- Lead process standardisation and optimisation in relation to training delivery related to internal process; allocations, evaluations, training intentions process etc.
- Identify inefficiencies and implement improvements to processes
- Own and maintain Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) related to training delivery
- Ensure consistency across all specialties as regards to process and data integrity
Strategic Planning & Programme Oversight
- Lead forward planning across training cycle
- Drive enhancements to improve delivery of training
- Align operations with organizational and strategic priorities
Systems & Data Management
- Oversee key systems including ePortfolio, MS Dynamics, Quercus, DIME etc
- Lead system rollover activities and ensure data integrity
- Drive system improvements and efficiencies in line with Connect projects
- Oversee reporting and data standards for NDTP, IMC and internal timelines
Programme Delivery Oversight
- Ensure coordination of programme activities in line with annual training cycle
- Monitor trainee progression and risks
- Oversee budgets and forward budget planning
- Support for Post-CSCSTand OCPE Fellowships, e.g. Aspire, Management fellowships, ICET and ICAT programmes
Stakeholder Management
- Build relationships with NSDs and stakeholders
- Attendance and engagement at STC, ETC and regular NSD meetings
- Act as senior liaison point between trainees and the college
- Provide insights to improve programme effectiveness
Projects & Initiatives
- Lead internal projects and transformation initiatives; related to connect projects and internal process improvements
- Collaborate cross-functionally with other areas of the college
- Drive change management activities within higher specialist training in collaboration with other HST Team Lead
- Relevant third level qualification with proven capability and 2-3 years’ experience in a comparable role.
- Excellent organisational and inter-personal skills with skilful attention to detail
- Effective communication and interpersonal skills combined with sound judgment are required to facilitate work with a wide range of individuals and groups.
- Demonstrated capability and sensitivity to manage key business relationships as the role involves a high degree of interaction and collaboration with key stakeholders.
- Self-starter with high motivation and the ability to work flexibly on own initiative and as part of a team to achieve goals within agreed timeframes.
- Strong writing skills with experience in drafting and preparing reports, letters, presentations etc.
- Ability to manage time and prioritise with an ability to be flexible in the approach to work.
- Proven organisational capability and high level of personal effectiveness. The person is expected to handle a varied and diverse workload to help team meet deadlines while ensuring accuracy, timeliness, and meticulous attention to detail.
- Strong intellectual, analytical, and thinking skills.
- Excellent ICT skills with the capacity to maximise digital technology to increase efficiencies in processes and procedures and as an effective communications and engagement tool. In particular, advanced MS Excel, Word & Outlook skills, and the ability to work efficiently with multiple systems of information.
- Experience in a medical administration environment and collaborating with clinical specialists desirable.
- Line management experience desirable
- Experience working with databases / website editing is desirable.
- Project Management experience desirable.
Competencies
- Leadership & Team Development
- Strategic Thinking & Planning
- Process Improvement & Operational Excellence
- Stakeholder Engagement
- Systems & Data Management
- Problem Solving & Decision Making
Leave: We offer 21 days annual leave with an additional 3-4 college days as well as long service leave to all employees. We also provide support for staff with Maternity, Sick, Parents, and Parental leave.
Wellbeing: An Employee Assistance Programme with Spectrum Life is available to all staff members as well as annual flu vaccine.
Flexible Hybrid working model: The RCPI offer a flexible 35-hour-a-week hybrid working model for all employees from their start date, giving staff the autonomy to work from home combined with time spent onsite.
Pension: A defined contribution pension scheme of 1.5% Employee contribution and RCPI contribution from commencement date with an increase after 18 months
Flexible Benefit: Pro-rata €1,500 annual flexible benefit upon completion of a successful probationary period.
Life Assurance: 4 times your annual salary.
Learning & Development: We offer CPD options including study leave and access to our internal LMS Training system.
Diversity and Inclusion: RCPI recognises the importance of equality, diversity, and inclusion. We were recently awarded a Silver accreditation from Investors in Diversity. We are an open and inclusive organisation that celebrates and welcomes diversity. We lead initiatives that support, promote and demonstrate a culture of mutual respect, inclusivity, and diversity, as outlined in our Diversity and Inclusion policy.
The Royal College of Physicians of Ireland is an inclusive employer and in line with our policies you are invited to disclose any reasonable accommodations you require for applying, interviewing or working with RCPI. Please be assured this information will be treated as confidential and not used for the purpose of selection. If you have any queries, please contact Suzann Donnelly at [email protected].
The Royal College of Physicians of Ireland is a postgraduate medical training college dedicated to ensuring that doctors have the skills to provide patients with the best possible care. Founded in 1654, the college supports doctors to enhance their skills, competencies, and professionalism throughout their working lives.
Through its Faculties and Institutes, The Royal College of Physicians of Ireland, offers medical training programmes, examinations, diplomas, and educational courses to equip doctors with the skills and knowledge they need to care for patients and run safe and efficient healthcare systems. It also offers a range of educational diplomas and courses for learners in the wider healthcare sector.
