Business Development Manager – Psychiatric Division

About this role

Fidelis Health and Social Care Ireland is establishing a dedicated Psychiatric Division to capture growing market demand for specialist mental health nursing and support staff supply across the Republic of Ireland. We are seeking a commercially driven Business Development Manager with deep sector knowledge and existing client relationships in psychiatric and mental health services to lead this division’s commercial growth. This is a specialist role. The Irish mental health system requires agency partners with genuine understanding of clinical competency requirements, the Mental Health Commission regulatory framework, and the sensitive nature of psychiatric environments. The role is 180-degree — combining targeted new business development with direct recruitment and placement of Registered Psychiatric Nurses (RPNs), Mental Health Support Workers, and Clinical Nurse Specialists in mental health settings.

Responsibilities

• Identify, target, and win new client accounts with Approved Mental Health Centres, HSE mental health units, CAMHS services, private psychiatric hospitals, and forensic/addiction services across Ireland
• Build and manage a structured business development pipeline for the psychiatric sector, from initial outreach to signed service agreement
• Conduct senior-level client meetings and service presentations with Clinical Nurse Managers, Consultants, Directors of Nursing, and procurement/HR leads within mental health services
• Develop commercially compelling proposals demonstrating Fidelis’s understanding of MHC regulations, RPN supply capability, and psychiatric-specific compliance standards
• Work to monthly GP targets and new account KPIs set by the Head of Business Development
• Represent Fidelis at Mental Health Commission stakeholder events, INMO psychiatric section events, and relevant healthcare sector forums
• Monitor competitor activity, sector commissioning developments, and MHC inspection trends to inform business development strategy
• Source, attract, and register qualified Registered Psychiatric Nurses (RPNs), Mental Health Support Workers, and Clinical Nurse Specialists in Mental Health for placement across psychiatric settings
• Conduct competency-based candidate assessments specifically designed for psychiatric environments, covering de-escalation techniques, risk assessment, medication management, and relevant legislation
• Maintain a fully compliant candidate pool meeting MHC and NMBI registration requirements, including Garda vetting, NMBI RPN registration, immunisation records, and mandatory psychiatric nursing competencies
• Coordinate shift fulfilment, block bookings, and interim placements for psychiatric clients, managing rosters in collaboration with CNMs and nursing administration
• Develop and maintain expert-level knowledge of the Mental Health Commission regulatory framework, including inspection standards and compliance requirements for Approved Mental Health Centres
• Act as Fidelis’s internal subject matter expert on psychiatric staffing
• Manage a growing portfolio of psychiatric accounts, acting as primary relationship manager and ensuring service quality at all times
• Respond to emergency psychiatric staffing requests with urgency, recognising the critical nature of maintaining staffing levels in acute mental health environments
• Ensure all psychiatric placements comply with the Mental Health Act 2001, Mental Health Commission standards, and relevant HSE circulars on agency staffing in approved centres
• Maintain full compliance documentation for psychiatric candidates and placements to withstand MHC audit or inspection scrutiny

Requirements

• Minimum 2 years’ new business development experience in healthcare staffing, with at least 12 months focused specifically on psychiatric or mental health services
• Proven track record of winning new accounts with Approved Mental Health Centres, HSE mental health services, or private psychiatric hospitals
• Experience recruiting and placing Registered Psychiatric Nurses (RPNs) or mental health support staff
• Working knowledge of the Mental Health Commission regulatory framework and the Mental Health Act 2001
• Experience in a 180-degree recruitment model managing both client BD and candidate management
• Strong ability to engage credibly with clinical stakeholders in sensitive psychiatric settings
• Full clean Irish driving licence; willingness to travel across the Republic of Ireland
• Based in or willing to operate regularly across the Republic of Ireland

Benefits

• Company car or car allowance
• Laptop and mobile provided
• Pension scheme
• 25 days annual leave plus bank holidays
• Performance bonus (uncapped commission)
• CPD support

Desirable

• Existing network of contacts within the Irish psychiatric sector including CNMs, DoNs, consultants, or HR leads in Approved Mental Health Centres
• Knowledge of CAMHS service structures, challenges, and staffing models
• Understanding of forensic mental health services, addiction treatment services, or dual diagnosis settings
• Experience supporting mental health service clients through MHC inspection preparation
• Clinical background in psychiatric nursing or mental health social work

Performance Targets

• Minimum 4 new psychiatric or mental health accounts opened per quarter
• Monthly GP target of €20,000+ rising to €35,000 by month 12
• Active RPN candidate pool of 30+ maintained for psychiatric placements at all times
• Client account retention rate of 85%+ across managed portfolio
• Minimum 12 psychiatric placements (shifts, blocks, or contracts) per month by month 6
• Average fill rate of 78%+ for urgent psychiatric shift requests within agreed timeframes