Position of the Deputy Head of Veterinary Policy with the Irish Horseracing Regulatory Board available

The Irish Horseracing Regulatory Board (IHRB) is the regulatory body for horseracing in Ireland, responsible for the integrity and reputation of Irish racing and the licensing of its participants on an all-island basis. The IHRB has in recent years undergone significant change in the veterinary and equine anti-doping space. This is a new opportunity for an experienced equine veterinary surgeon based at the IHRB offices on the Curragh to combine hands-on work in the field as a regulatory veterinarian with driving change through managing and leading the Department’s key policies and projects in this area, including those within the IHRB’s Strategic Plan. Working with the Deputy Head of Veterinary Operations and Senior Veterinary Assistant, the DHVP will also provide expert veterinary policy advice to the CVO/Department. Given the nature and seniority of the role, it is essential that the DHVP works flexibly and out of hours as required to share responsibilities with the other senior leadership roles within the Department.

The role will suit a highly motivated veterinary colleague who enjoys working to the highest standards. Veterinary regulation is an opportunity to apply clinical skills at a herd level to safeguard the health, welfare and integrity of Irish racing’s equine participants – focusing on the individual horse but with scope to improve how things are done on a broader scale. The successful candidate will have the courage of their convictions, be adept at making decisions and have the adaptability and aptitude for structured planning of activities with efficient delivery of reports and meticulous attention to detail. They should have experience of operationalising evidence-based policies according to a defined strategy and be forward thinking, keen to drive and adapt to change, influencing and leading others to do the same. As much as we expect flexibility in our team, we are committed to being as flexible as possible ourselves. While this role is full-time (five days in seven) with an element of core hours, we are open to making the schedule work for the right person.

Our new Deputy Head of Veterinary Policy will be trained as an Authorised Officer under Animal Remedies and, in due course, Animal Health and Welfare legislation. The scope that this gives us to carry out our work working alongside colleagues from the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine is unique to Ireland. Although the role will be focussed on policy, there will be time to be involved with specific operations, for example around equine investigations, education for participants and our suitability to race programme. Close working with stakeholders will be essential to the success of this role.

Applicants must be at least 10 years qualified, hold a degree in Veterinary Science and be registered to practise in Ireland and the UK. Specialist relevant post-graduate qualifications/experience and/or experience of working in an overseas racing or other jurisdiction would confer an advantage as would a genuine interest in the Irish Thoroughbred and Racing Industry with empathy and respect for its horses and its people. The salary for this position will be in the range of €80,000-85,000 commensurate with the seniority of the role and experience of the successful candidate, as benchmarked against the role profile and other industry equivalents. The IHRB supports relevant professional and personal development and encourages a diversity of applicants.

This is an uncommon opportunity to join the highly motivated team responsible for regulating one of global horseracing’s leading jurisdictions at senior level, using your veterinary expertise in a unique way to make a difference to the horses and people at the heart of our sport. For informal enquiries, contact Chief Veterinary Officer Lynn Hillyer at lynn.hillyer@ihrb.ie. Applications should arrive by email to hr@ihrb.ie by close of business on Friday 9th October 2023, with first round interviews week commencing 16th October and second round week commencing 23rd October.