Head of Finance

The PositionTitle of position: Head of Finance Tenure: Full-time, permanent position Employing Authority: National Concert Hall  Location: Earlsfort Terrace, Saint Kevin's, Dublin, D02 N527Organisation website: www.nch.ie Role SummaryThe National Concert Hall (NCH) is seeking suitable applicants for the role of Head of Finance. The Head of Finance will partner with the Leadership Team to ensure that the NCH has the financial acumen to drive and support the achievement of our strategic objectives through the provision of best practice financial controls, policies and processes.  As a member of the Senior Management Team, the Head of Finance will develop and implement the organisation’s financial strategy, prepare annual financial plans and submissions to the Department of Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport & Media. The successful candidate will lead Heads of Departments in the financial management of their functions and support them to develop and deliver their financial targets and KPIs. The Head of Finance will lead all Financial modelling and reporting relating to operating outside Earlsfort Terrace during the period of redevelopment and oversee the budget for the redevelopment.   To succeed in this role, you will be a member of a recognized professional accountancy body with significant experience in a senior role in Financial Management, preferably in the public sector. You will have in-depth, up to date knowledge of relevant legislation, financial policies, procedures and practices, and a good understanding of the governance framework for State Bodies. You will be a change agent, with confident and skilled communication and persuasive influencing skills. The ideal candidate will have excellent negotiation skills, and the ability to build relationships with a wide range of people from team members to external stakeholders. You will have strong emotional intelligence with an ability to build confidence and trust with key stakeholders. Key ResponsibilitiesThe role of Head of Finance reports into the CEO and manages five reports. The Head of Finance will be responsible for, but not limited to, the following:   Financial Control – Budget, Planning & Reporting  Develop and implement the organisation’s financial strategy in conjunction with the Senior Management Team.  Prepare an annual financial plan for the NCH in line with the annual business plan and submit to the SMT / Board for approval.  Prepare the annual estimate submissions to the Department of Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sports & Media in relation to the forthcoming year’s Grant-in-Aid request.  Monthly updates of forecast.  Prepare Quarterly drawdown requests for the Department.  Lead Heads of Department in the financial management of their functions and the organization as a whole. Work in close partnership with each department to increase financial awareness, support their development and delivery of their targets and KPIs.  Provide monthly feedback and agree corrective actions with Heads of Departments.  Continue to develop appropriate Management Information for the SMT & Board.  Provide support to staff responsible for preparing individual budgeted statements for each concert proposed by the NCH one year in advance.  Formulate and approve the monthly management accounts for presentation to senior management and the Board.  Prepare financial reports for Management & the Board and present same.   Financial Control – Financial Accounting Creditors, Payroll and all payments in line with Legal & Regulatory frameworks applicable to the public service. Annual Statutory Financial Statements including liaison with Comptroller & Auditor general. Liaise with internal Auditors & manage the process internally. Manage the statutory taxation obligations of the organization. Manage Treasury & Working Capital. Fulfil all reporting obligations. Manage the statutory taxation obligations of the Hall.  Financial Control - Capital Projects Management of budget for major capital projects, ensuring Expenditure is in line with Department of Public Expenditure's Infrastructure Guidelines; Forecasts are provided to the Department; Ensure governance procedures implemented in conjunction with OPW and Department.  Payroll and Pensions Oversee Payroll. Oversee Administration of pension schemes (Superannuation scheme plus Single Public Service Pension Scheme). Drive improvements and standardization of payroll administration.  Corporate Governance  Ensure all financial Policies, Procedures & Practices are in line with the governance framework for State Bodies and legislation. Systems & Process Improvement  Introduce a continuous improvement mindset at the NCH, identifying systems & process improvements. Evaluate and implement new financial systems, including change management and training for all stakeholders. Optimising the use of technology to support the provision of services and to monitor performance. Team Leadership  Lead the Finance team and provide Developmental plans to develop competencies for the future. Prepare the finance team for the changes related to the redevelopment, moving off site, being offsite and moving back to the redeveloped hall. Nurture, motivate and support the Finance team and their competencies. Provide leadership to the SMT in financial planning Additional executive functions  Undertake the role of Freedom of Information Manager. Manage and negotiate the company’s insurances including the hirers’ public liability schemes. Interfacing with Government departments and other cultural organisations to ensure best practice delivery in a public service context.  The above is a general guide to the role and is not an exhaustive description of the duties which are or will be associated with the role. As the role is an evolving one, additional responsibilities and tasks may be assigned to the to the jobholder over time.  The PersonEssential Requirements The successful candidate must demonstrate evidence of:Membership of a recognised Professional Accountancy Body  10 years of experience in a senior management role in a comparable environment Experience managing relationships with both external and internal stakeholders An ability to, and experience of, providing successful financial leadership  Continuous improvement and change mindset Experience of implementing financial systems Experience of managing budgets for capital projects Demonstrable commercial acumen, helping to ensure the balance between artistic validity and commercial viability is maintained Proven capability of systems and process improvement  Ability to manage competing tasks and deliver on results within tight deadlines Sound judgement and an ability to make complex decisions in a range of areas including financial assessment and freedom of information Knowledge of public sector policies and practices  Strong communication, negotiation and influencing skills  A knowledge of Microsoft office and relevant Finance software systems  Organisational requirements To maintain the NCH’s high standard of customer care across all areas of organisational activity. Work within the framework of the overall objectives of the NCH, in compliance with all NCH policies. Remain up to date with, and aware of, developments within the NCH and its work. As the role requires handling, processing and recording of personal and restricted information, confidentiality is required at all times and knowledge of GDPR essential. Contribute information, analysis, and recommendations to organisational strategic thinking and direction. Be a trusted leader, advisor, and subject matter expert.  This job description is a guide to broad areas of responsibility and accountability and should not be regarded as a comprehensive listing. The job description may be subject to review in the light of new structures or the changing needs of the NCH. Capability FrameworkCandidates should demonstrate the ability to carry out successfully the duties of the role, as well as the behaviours, skills and knowledge required at Assistant Principal Officer grade. The capability framework supports the Civil and Public Service in building the workforce of the future. Our ambition is to attract, empower and develop a diversity of people, with the capability and talent to collaboratively deliver excellence, on behalf of our Government and the people of Ireland.Exploring and strengthening Capability requires us to consider the whole person, their behaviours, skills, strengths, knowledge, values, motivation and interests. These factors underpin our approach to recruitment and development as we continue to build an innovative, professional, and agile Civil Service.The capabilities for Assistant Principal Officer grade are:  Building Future Readiness  Evidence Informed Delivery  Leading & Empowering  Communicating & Collaborating  Further information is available on https://www.publicjobs.ie/en/information-hub/capability-framework/assistant-principal-officer. Salary The Assistant Principal salary scale applies (rates effective from 1st October 2024) as follows:  €79,086 – €81,999 – €84,952 – €87,914 – €90,873 – €92,579 – €95,563¹ – €98,559² ¹ After 3 years satisfactory service at the maximum. ² after 6 years satisfactory service at the maximum. Subject to satisfactory performance, increments may be payable in line with current Government Policy.   The successful candidate will be placed at the first point of the Assistant Principal Officer scale (€79,086 per annum). How to ApplyThe National Concert Hall invites applications for the role of Head of Finance from suitably qualified candidates both nationally and internationally and will be undertaking a comprehensive recruitment process as part of this recruitment campaign.  All enquiries relating to the role should be directed to hr@nch.ie. Applications should be submitted online and must include: 1.     A cover letter (max. two A4 pages) outlining why you wish to be considered for the role and where you believe your skills and experience meet the requirements of the role. 2.     A comprehensive CV clearly showing your relevant achievements and experience in your career to date. Only applications fully submitted online will be accepted into the campaign. Further details on the role and the application process may be viewed in the candidate information booklet at the following link: https://issuu.com/nationalconcerthall/docs/head_of_finance_candidate_information_booket_v1?fr=xKAE9_zU1NQ Closing DateDeadline for application: 13th January at 10am Applications will not be accepted after the closing date/time.An acknowledgement email will be issued for all applications received. At NCH we are proud to be an inclusive, equal opportunity workplace. We are committed to equal employment opportunities regardless of Gender, Civil Status, Family Status, Sexual Orientation, Religion, Age, Disability, Race, Membership of the Traveller Community or any other characteristic protected by the Equality Acts. We are committed to offering reasonable accommodations to job applicants with disabilities. If you need assistance or an accommodation due to a disability, or have any questions regarding building access, please contact us on (01) 417 0077 or at hr@nch.ie