Chief Executive

Chief Executive

Health Products Regulatory Authority (HPRA) has retained Brightwater Executive exclusively in their search for a Chief Executive.

About the Company

The HPRA is the independent regulator of medicines, medical devices and healthcare products in Ireland. The Agency is of substantial strategic importance to both public and animal health protection. Through its regulatory role it directly contributes to better health outcomes, as well as supporting the relevant industry and broader life sciences sectors based in Ireland and across Europe.

About the Position

An exceptional opportunity has arisen for an experienced and visionary leader to take on the role of Chief Executive (CE) at the HPRA. This is a pivotal position, directly impacting public and animal health, and playing a strategic role in shaping regulatory policies at a national, European, and international level.

The Chief Executive will lead the business with a dynamic and multidisciplinary organisation of over 400 professionals, ensuring that HPRA continues to deliver on its public health mission of excellence in health product regulation.

Key Responsibilities

·       Provide strategic and operational leadership, ensuring HPRA fulfils its statutory functions effectively.

·       Lead HPRA’s engagement with the European Medicines Agency (EMA), Heads of Medicines Agencies (HMA), and EU regulators, shaping policies, aligning Irish regulations with EU standards, and influencing European health product legislation.

·       Work closely with the Authority to shape the organisation's long-term strategic vision.

·       Lead HPRA’s representation at national and international regulatory forums, influencing policy and legislative developments.

·       Foster a culture of innovation, collaboration, and scientific excellence within the organisation.

·       Engage with government departments, industry stakeholders, and international regulatory bodies to advance HPRA's mission.

·       Oversee financial and resource management, ensuring efficiency and sustainability.

·       Drive operational excellence and continuous improvement to keep pace with evolving healthcare and regulatory landscapes.

 Ideal Candidate Profile

The successful candidate will be a visionary leader with a strong background in regulatory affairs, life sciences, or public health. They will bring extensive experience in senior leadership roles within complex, stakeholder-driven organisations.

Experience/Requirements

·       A relevant third-level degree with a postgraduate qualification.

·       Strong knowledge and experience of the Life Sciences sector, ideally with a background in regulatory affairs.

·       Understanding of the EU context, including the role of European and international institutions and their interactions with national administrations.

·       Proven track record of strategic leadership of a business within a complex stakeholder driven public or private sector organisation.

·       Experience managing large, multi-disciplinary teams and delivering high-impact results.

·       Strong understanding of regulatory frameworks, healthcare systems, and policy development.

·       Ability to engage and influence stakeholders at the highest levels, including government bodies and international agencies.

·       Demonstrated success in driving innovation and adapting to evolving regulatory and scientific challenges.

Why Join the HPRA?

·       Impact: Lead an organisation at the forefront of health product regulation, making a tangible difference in public and animal health.

·       International Reach: Work closely with European and global regulatory bodies to shape the future of healthcare innovation.

·       Leadership Challenge: Drive strategic initiatives and operational excellence in a highly respected and evolving organisation.

·       Competitive Package: Attractive salary and benefits, with the opportunity to shape the regulatory landscape in Ireland and beyond.

Key Attributes for this Role

·       Strategic Vision: Ability to anticipate industry trends and shape regulatory strategy accordingly.

·       Leadership & Influence: Strong leadership presence with the ability to motivate and guide high-performing teams.

·       Decision-Making & Analytical Thinking: Demonstrates sound judgement in complex regulatory and operational matters.

·       Communication & Relationship Management: Proven ability to engage with senior stakeholders, media, and policymakers.

·       Resilience & Integrity: Displays high levels of professionalism, ethics, and determination in navigating challenges.

Remuneration Package

Salary: €186,701 (ppc) per annum. This is a 5-year fixed-term contract position commencing in January 2026.

Application Process

For further information on this Chief Executive role, please contact Yvonne McNulty at Brightwater Executive using the following email HPRA_CE@brightwaterexecutive.com and we can provide you with the candidate booklet.

 Applicants should send a CV and cover letter to the above email. Closing date for applications is the Tuesday May 6^th, 2025, at 5pm