Director of Advocacy

Role Title: Director of Advocacy

Contract type: Permanent, full-time
Location: Rathmines (Hybrid)
Report to: CEO

The Irish Heart Foundation (IHF) is Ireland’s national heart, stroke and thrombosis charity, dedicated to eliminating preventable death and disability from cardiovascular disease and supporting those living with these life changing conditions.

Established in 1966, the organisation works across advocacy, prevention, care and support, health equity and research to protect the cardiovascular health of everyone in Ireland. Our approach is grounded in values of fairness and equity, collaboration, transparency and accountability, compassion, courageousness, and empowerment.

We work to achieve our mission by:

• Caring for and speaking out for people in the community living with heart conditions, thrombosis and stroke, and their families
• Innovating and leading in health promotion and prevention to change health behaviours and reduce cardiovascular risk
• Building a nation of lifesavers through CPR training
• Campaigning and advocating for policies that support people to live healthier lives
• Information provision

Our team currently is approx. 140 employees and up to 150 volunteers working towards the Foundation’s vision of a future where no hearts are broken by preventable heart disease.

The Role
As Director of Advocacy, you will have overall responsibility for advocacy activities of the Irish Heart Foundation. As one of the most senior strategic posts in the organisation, you will be a high achieving, experienced and dynamic professional with a proven ability to develop a clear vision for advocacy to achieve our mission.

As the leader of the Advocacy team, you will report directly to the Chief Executive and will be accountable the Board. This is a demanding role that requires high levels of leadership, innovation and dynamism. You will manage a diverse team to high achievement and will be part of a strong Senior Management Team leading the Irish Heart Foundation into the future.

This role offers you a proposition that is outstanding at every level – personal, professional and societal. It is an opportunity to lead national‑level change that saves lives and reduces health inequalities, within a values‑driven and purpose‑centred organisation entering an ambitious new strategic cycle. You will be part of a collaborative culture with a strong commitment to staff wellbeing, diversity and inclusion, while shaping Ireland’s approach to cardiovascular health for decades to come.

Reporting Lines and Working Relationships
The Director of Advocacy will work closely with the Chief Executive and all members of Senior Management Team, Board of Directors and colleagues working in the Chief Executive’s Office.

The Director of Advocacy will report directly to the Chief Executive Officer and will have 4 direct reports in the Advocacy Department and any other direct report posts that are created by the IHF relating to this role.

Role Purpose:
The Director of Advocacy will lead, develop and deliver the Foundation’s national and EU-level advocacy agenda. This role drives strategic policy influence, shapes national cardiovascular health policy, champions the rights and lived experiences of heart and stroke patients, and ensures IHF remains a powerful and credible voice on issues such as junk food marketing, smoking and vaping, alcohol harm, air pollution, health inequalities and service gaps in cardiac and stroke care.

As a key member of the Senior Management Team, the Director will provide strategic direction in terms of advocacy, oversee all advocacy staff, and ensure alignment with the Foundation’s Strategy.

Key Responsibilities

1. Advocacy Strategy & Leadership
• Define, develop and implement the Foundation’s advocacy strategy and operational plans, ensuring alignment with organisational strategy and evolving policy landscapes.

• Lead national advocacy efforts to secure:

o An overarching Cardiovascular Health Policy
o Full implementation of the National Cardiac Services Review, National Stroke Strategy and National VTE Programme
o Full resourcing of cardiac rehabilitation services
o Expanded support and research for women’s heart health
o Improvements in population-level cardiovascular data
o Legislative action on junk food marketing, tobacco, alcohol and air pollution
o Policies addressing social, commercial and environmental determinants of health
o Develop a response to emerging equity implications of the Digital Determinants of Health

• Influence EU-level decision-making relevant to our domestic agenda and help build the capacity of networks that promote policies and programmes which aim to improve cardiovascular health throughout Europe.
• Develop and implement evidence-based advocacy strategies and programmes aimed at minimising death and disability from cardiovascular disease andmaximising the ability of patients to live the best lives possible.

2. Government and Stakeholder Engagement
• Influence EU-level decision-making relevant to our domestic agenda and help build the capacity of networks that promote policies and programmes which aim to improve cardiovascular health throughout Europe.
• Develop and maintain relationships with key decision makers up to the highest level of the health service and Government, ensuring high levels of awareness and support for our policy positions, including through collaboration with the membership of the Foundation’s Oireachtas Heart and Stroke group.
• Build and mobilise coalitions of stakeholders including patients, healthcare professionals, young people, parents and the wider public to maximise the effectiveness of the organisation’s campaigning work. Place particular emphasis on the patient voice and developing their capacity to spearhead campaigns relating to cardiovascular health services.
• Engage closely with national partners such as the Irish Cardiac Society, BIMAST, National Heart Programme, National Stroke Strategy Implementation Group, National VTE Programme, academic institutions and other health and social care NGOs.
• Act as the organisation’s primary media spokesperson on issues relating to its advocacy agenda and develop capacity within the team to ensure we fully capitalise on opportunities to promote our case and to challenge efforts by vested interests to influence national health policy.
• Create and execute compelling awareness and lobbying campaigns that shape all areas of national policy relevant to the nation’s cardiovascular health, with particular focus on smoking/vaping, childhood obesity and air pollution, as well as cardiovascular health services and supports.
• In conjunction with the Chief Executive, lead IHF engagement at European level to support EU-wide policy developments impacting cardiovascular health.

3. Patient Voice & Public Participation
• Ensure that the lived experiences of heart, stroke and thrombosis patients meaningfully informs advocacy positions and campaigns, contributing to a system where patient needs and equity are central.
• Support implementation of a Public and Patient Participation policy.

4. Campaigning, Public Affairs & Communications
• Lead and coordinate all public advocacy initiatives, campaigns and media strategies.
• Act as a spokesperson for the Foundation and communicate IHF’s policy positions clearly to media, policymakers and the public.
• Collaborate closely with the Director of Marketing & Communications to ensure coherent message delivery and maximise influence.

5. Evidence-Based Policy & Research Collaboration
• Work with internal colleagues, IHF Advisory Councils and external researchers to ensure IHF advocacy is evidence-driven.
• Support research on prevention, vaping, nutrition, alcohol, climate impacts and cardiovascular care outcomes.
• Promote monitoring, evaluation and data collection to measure impact and inform future strategies.

6. Management & Team Development
• Lead, motivate and manage the Advocacy Team (Policy Office and Programme Office), ensuring high performance and clear allocation of roles and
responsibilities.
• Be an inspiring ambassador for the vision and mission of the Irish Heart Foundation and ensure it is reflected in the strategies, outputs and the behaviour of the team.
• To motivate the team to be innovative and professional in their thinking and delivery, setting clear examples of excellence and best practice.
•Work with HR to support recruitment, performance management, training, development and staff wellbeing.
• Lead by example and ensure that the team makes good use of the digital capability available within the Foundation (including the CRM) to harness data and aid decision making and create efficiencies in workflows
• Ensure the organisation is compliant with legal and regulatory requirements relating to lobbying and policy influencing.

7. Organisational Leadership
• Play a key role in Senior Management Team decision-making, strategic planning and organisational development and ensure the senior management team is kept abreast of all relevant policy developments and changes in the health services landscape and of the strategic opportunities and challenges that arise.• Participate in cross-organisational committees, meetings and planning processes.
• Prepare annual departmental reports for the CEO and Board.

8. Health & Safety
• Be familiar with and follow all health & safety protocols and risk management controls and ensure that appropriate steps are taken to protect the safety,health and welfare of oneself and that of staff, volunteers and people using the services that come under the areas of responsibility for this position.

The above is a guide to the nature of the work required. It is not wholly comprehensive or restrictive. This job description will be reviewed in line with business needs.

Benefits of working with Irish Heart Foundation:
Flexible working with our hybrid working model, our team enjoy more flexibility working from home and our Head office location in Rathmines (2 days per week office based) or more if you prefer!
We provide benefits to help you protect your health and financial security; and give you peace of mind.
• Pension scheme with employer contributions, from day 1 of service, up to 5% employer contributions.
• Life assurance of 4 times base salary with immediate effect
• Income continuance/disability benefit, at no cost to you from day 1 of service
• Paid Maternity leave
• Paid Paternity leave
• Company sick pay
• Company health checks
• Generous annual leave policy including additional company days
• Bike to Work Scheme, Excellent public transport links
• Employee Assistance Programme (EAP)
• A wonderful office we are proud of with excellent, kitchen and changing facilities
• Events organised by social club and Health, Well-being and No Planet B Committee
• CPR Training for all employees
• Ongoing Training and Development initiatives to help you grow your career with us

Details of Role and Application process
This is a full-time role, Monday to Friday. The role is based in the Irish Heart Foundation’s offices in Rathmines, Dublin (Monday and Thursday office days) you work remotely or in the office days as you choose and as per operational needs.

To apply please provide an up-to-date curriculum vitae and cover letter outlining how you
suit the post by email to Klara O’Malley, HR Manager.

Email: hr@irishheart.ie
The closing date for this position is COB 27th of October 2026

The Irish Heart Foundation is an equal opportunities employer.
The Irish Heart Foundation has a no smoking policy. Employees are not permitted to smoke or Vape whilst undertaking any duties on behalf of the Foundation.

Please be advised the IHF retains all candidate data for a period of 12 months after which it is deleted. Should you wish to have your details deleted earlier than this please contact HR directly to request us to do so.

Please find IHF Privacy Policy https://irishheart.ie/privacy-policy/

If you have any accommodation needs throughout the recruitment process, please contact
hr@irishheart.ie
RCN: 20008376