Job Summary:

The General Services Manager is a key member of the Executive Management Team whose division provides key support services to Directorates, Clinical Services and Corporate service areas to ensure the delivery of an efficient and effective service to patients and staff across all sites. The post holder will develop and implement strategies to ensure all services deliver on the operational requirements of the Hospital, are in compliance with nationally set standards, and operates within headcount and budget.

The service areas which the post is responsible for includes:

• Admissions and Registration
• Catering, both Patient and Staff
• Contract Cleaning Services
• Healthcare Records, including libraries and off site contract
• Laundry Services
• Portering Services, including Postal Services
• Printing
• Reception and all transport Contracts e.g. Ambulance, Taxi and Courier
• Security Services including CCTV, Access Control and Parking
• Switchboard
• Waste Management
• Co-ordination, implementation and monitoring of Hygiene Standards
• Chaplaincy / Pastoral Care
• The maintenance of on call and staff changing facilities/ locker rooms
• Household Staff – Boardroom, Consultants room and Laundry
• Water coolers and Television Services
• Co –ordinate Hospitality for events as required
• Providing services to applicable non-Hospital entities (e.g. RCSI Smurfit building, Crèche, Irish Kidney Association) and invoicing accordingly
• Provide Operational Delivery/ Implementation to; Capital Projects, Management of Infection Outbreaks from a General Services and Hygiene

The responsibilities for these service areas includes all staff, contracts, and standards related to these services.

The post holder will be required to participate in the Senior Executive On-Call Roster providing out of hours management cover for the hospital as rostered.

Operational Management

• Responsible for the operational management of the services outlined above, ensuring the efficient and effective day to day running of the department, matching resources to need, with flexibility to respond to workload pressures.
• Develop and deliver effective operational plans following consultation with Clinical Directorate management teams and other service users linked to the Hospital strategy, ensuring that organisational and national targets are met.
• To be the key staff member with expert knowledge in the area of Hygiene and ensure a multidisciplinary approach is used to meet standards.
• Liaise with and assist Clinical Directorate Management teams and other Heads of Department in the development of business plans to attract new services and in the implementation of new service initiatives, formulating quality improvement plans where required.
• To provide frontline general management advice and support to the managers of services under the General Services remit, which includes human resource and workforce planning support, budgetary analysis, performance analysis, and the resolution of any issues which may
• To foster close co–operation and integration of services, with the development of good efficient working relationships with the Directorate Management teams through the relationship management structure, thereby effectively supporting the patients journey through the Hospital.
• As a member of the Executive Management Team, be a key resource in decision making and impact new service developments and initiatives to ensure support services can be delivered as the Hospital expands.

Service Planning

• To put in place strategies to support Beaumont Hospital’s objectives and the organisation’s strategic plan.
• To review best practice nationally and internationally, making recommendations for change in the delivery of support services, contracts, and in particular Hygiene related matters.
• To assist in the provision of information to facilitate the Business Managers to develop annual business plans which will contribute to the Hospital’s provider plan with the HSE.
• To work in close conjunction with Directorate Management Teams to deliver service level agreements stipulated by the HSE and to support and implement changes to achieve the required service provision.
• To produce performance reports for the Executive Management Team, Hygiene Reports for the Infection Prevention and Control Committee, various other reports including the JCI Governance Group, and report on Risk Assessments to the Risk Management Committee.
• To be responsible for the identification and implementation of cost improvements, efficiencies, service developments and income generation within the services managed.
• To lead projects which will improve services to patients and staff in terms of service provision, infrastructure and Hygiene/ Infection Prevention and Control.
• To ensure services are delivered using the latest technologies and are as efficient as possible.

Performance/ Financial/ Contracts Management

• To manage the budget for the services and to monitor, control and report on income and expenditure within the services managed, including providing financial information to Business Managers, and costing out services provided to Directorates, as per Service Level agreement.
• To manage the services provided to non-Hospital entities and ensure these are invoiced for all services provided.
• To be accountable for the effective use of resources, alerting the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of any imminent, or potential budgetary overspends.
• Ensure that all Hospital’s financial instructions Policies and Procedures are adhered to.
• To ensure all contracts are procured according to Hospital Policies and Procedures, are updated regularly, and are kept in date and comply with all insurance, tax clearance and any other legislative requirements.
• To monitor contracts closely through meeting with service providers and suppliers to ensure standards and terms of contracts are delivered to the Hospital on a value for money and quality basis, and to implement penalty clauses where appropriate.
• Ensure all contracts produced and procured under the remit have user input and are approved by the appropriate Committee/Division.
• To develop and maintain performance indicators for the services and service level agreements for the Directorates.
• To monitor and track performance targets and benchmark against internal and external sources.
• Establish and maintain mechanisms to provide the CEO with timely management information regarding performance against contracts, budgets and to contribute to the development and implementation of corporate strategies and decisions within the Hospital.
• To promote a corporate approach to the Hospital’s overall strategy objectives mission and values.

Human Resources Management/ Learning and Development

• To support and advise departmental managers in the management of staff in the service as per Hospital policies.
• Ensure each service has a learning and development plan, with a culture of ongoing education and development of staff teams.
• To clearly define responsibilities and performance indicators for direct reports and to update job descriptions and person specifications regularly.
• In partnership with Human Resources, develop local strategies for the recruitment and retention of staff. Assist the Directorates in identifying the most suitable use of services and or contracts where required.
• Advise managers on dealing with employee relations matters as per Hospital policy and ensure that applicable procedures are adhered to.
• Act as an operational resource to the Hospital to co-ordinate service provision as required.
• Provide Hospital wide education on Hygiene Services at induction and on a continual basis.
• Provide regular updates for managers and staff within the division, ensure that there is a philosophy of open two-way communication, and in particular support the Team Briefings Policy.
• Promote equal opportunity and adherence to best practice employment and approaches to managing and implementing change.

Quality Assurance and Risk Management

• Encourage a culture of continuous improvement and mutual co–operation in the achievement of the highest possible standards in supporting clinical care.
• To audit Hygiene Services and report regularly to the Hygiene Services Advisory Group/ HCAI group and Infection Prevention and Control Committee on any concerns and risks associated with audit findings and to assist Department Heads in developing Quality Improvement Plans to reverse any shortcomings.
• To ensure the division participate in the implementation and monitoring of national regulations and standards such as Hygiene, Infection prevention and Control, Decontamination. Maintain and if necessary, implement an effective process for risk assessment and risk management in the services provided.
• To co-ordinate the processing of adverse incidents within the department and to liaise closely with Integrated Quality & Safety Directorate and the Directorate Management teams in regards to investigations that may be required.
• Assist the Risk and Legal Department in the provision of information and records as required.
• To implement all national regulations, approved standards and best practice guidelines.
• To chair relevant committees associated with the areas of management, ensuring these committees have up to date terms of reference and are minuted.
• To support, guide and ensure the division's compliance in quality and safety standards and the attainment of accreditation.

The above Job Description is not intended to be a comprehensive list of all duties involved and consequently, the post holder may be required to perform other duties as appropriate to the post which may be assigned from time to time and to contribute to the development of the post while in office. This document must be regarded as an outline of the major areas of accountability at the present time, which will be reviewed and assessed on an on-going basis.

Mandatory Requirements

Education and Qualifications

• A primary degree (Level 8 NFQ or equivalent) in a relevant discipline such as Health Service Management, Business Administration, Facilities Management, or a related field.
• OR demonstrable equivalent experience at a senior management level in healthcare services, including at least two years in a role with comparable scope and responsibilities.

Experience

• At least 5 years in operational management of large-scale, complex services in a hospital or comparable environment.
• Proven experience managing multiple service contracts, including procurement, negotiation, and performance monitoring.
• Demonstrated experience in budget management, financial reporting, and delivering on cost-containment targets.
• Experience leading teams, including workforce planning, HR management, and supporting staff development.
• Experience coordinating or delivering infection prevention, hygiene, or environmental standards in line with national guidelines.

 Knowledge and Skills

• • Strong understanding of hospital operational requirements and support services.
  • Knowledge of national healthcare policy, HSE service planning processes, and relevant standards (e.g. Hygiene, IPC, decontamination guidelines).
  • Ability to analyse performance data and produce clear, evidence-based reports for senior management.
  • Excellent organisational and problem-solving skills with the ability to manage competing priorities.
  • Strong communication and interpersonal skills, including the ability to work collaboratively with clinical and non-clinical teams.

Desirable Requirements

• A postgraduate qualification (e.g. Diploma or Master's) in Health Services Management, Business Administration, Facilities Management, or a related area.
• Experience working as part of a hospital Executive Management Team.
• Proven track record of delivering service improvement or quality initiatives in a healthcare environment.
• Experience leading or contributing to hospital accreditation processes (e.g. JCI).
• Knowledge of best practice nationally and internationally in hospital support services management.
• Familiarity with performance benchmarking frameworks or tools in healthcare.
• Experience delivering services across multiple sites or organisations (e.g. managing SLAs with external entities).
• Demonstrated ability to lead service planning in line with strategic hospital objectives.