We are recruiting a Finance Director for a non profit organisation. The role is full time permanent and is hybrid. The client is based in Dublin.
Reporting to the CEO and working closely with the Executive Management Team, playing a pivotal role in achieving key objectives from their strategic Plan and proactively creating value by making recommendations on new initiatives, to capitalize on new opportunities and mitigate risks.
The successful candidate will be responsible for ensuring the overall management of the Finance function. A key aspect of the role is to support the organisation and Board to make timely decisions, to govern and manage the organisation effectively by providing all necessary, appropriate, and relevant financial information and insights.
The Finance Director will also help ensure that objectives internally and externally are achieved, building the service’s impact and reputation and ensuring its future success, financial governance, and funding stability.
Performance will be reviewed against; agreed objectives and scorecard delivery, the willingness and ability to respond to change and leading through the values of the organisation.
The Finance Function
The Head of Finance leads a well-resourced and impactful Finance function with responsibility to ensure that the finances are managed according to legislation, policies, procedures, and accounting principles. This includes, but is not limited to:
• Providing strategic insights into financial performance to CEO and Board.
• Examining all key service contracts to ensure costs are being appropriately recovered. Advise on same to CEO/EMT.
• Preparing and reviewing multi annual plans and other financial reports and analysis such as monthly management accounts and budgets
• Managing the preparation of the annual financial statements and annual audit in accordance with the Charities SORP and other best practice as relevant.
• Preparing and/or reviewing and presenting financial reports for EMT, the Audit & Risk Committee and the Board.
• Act as a flag bearer for good Governance at DSC. The successful candidate will drive Governance into processes by design and will promote good governance across the organisation.
• Work closely with the CEO and the Board to protect and enhance the financial stewardship of the organisation.
• Support the front line and other service departments through the provision of payroll, procurement as well as accurate and timely reporting of numbers. Managing and supporting the delivery of the organisation procurement policy and procedures.
• Ensuring appropriate financial internal controls are in place and finance policies are updated and reviewed on a regular basis.
• Liaise and manage external relationships as necessary including but not limited to the HFA, HSE, DRHE and Local Authorities etc.
• Ensuring that our finance systems and processes are fit for purpose, efficient and transparent.
Key Responsibilities
Key responsibilities for the role include but are not limited to:
Leadership
• Work as part of the Executive Management Team (EMT) to formulate an organization strategy, policies, annual scorecards, and budgets ensuring the mission and strategic goals of the organisation are achieved.
• Provide confident, visible leadership across organisation, ensuring performance standards are met and delivered, resources are utilised optimally, stakeholder relationships are nurtured and developed and all opportunities for best practice and growth are leveraged.
• Provide leadership to the teams within the Finance function setting clear targets and facilitating effective team dynamics to ensure teams are performing to their maximum potential and Finance services are delivered to agreed targets. Direct line Management of the Senior Managers and Managers within the Function.
• Work to build capacity within the teams through the training and development of staff, in particular growing leadership, and management skills, delivering excellent employee relationships and staff motivation.
• Develop and maintain effective team structures and ensure the availability of expert financial information and insights to internal and external stakeholders.
• In conjunction with the Head of Human Resources advise on employee relations, communication strategies and career management programmes designed to maximise employee involvement and commitment.
• Recruit, induct, train and performance manage staff to deliver individual and organisational effectiveness.
• Develop, protect, and nurture strong internal and external relationships to facilitate seamless service delivery.
• Support of change management initiatives within the function and organisation, and influencing stakeholders
Finance Function Operations
• Lead the finance function of the organisation through a team of finance professionals, oversee budgets, monthly/annual reports, annual audits, and regulatory returns.
• Ensure that all necessary correct timely information is available to CEO/EMT for decision-making, contract pricing and service evaluation.
• Liaise with auditors and consultants as required.
• As a member of the EMT determine and deliver on the strategic direction of the organisation.
• Provide expertise and lead on financing arrangements including development of organisation Business plans.
• Lead on financial projects to drive best practice and excellence in finance processes.
• Business partner with senior colleagues to support decision making.
• Lead and deliver through effective use of appropriate IT solutions.
• Ensure the effective operation of monthly payroll and other related processes in co-operation with HR; including effective management of the relationship with external payroll processor.
Relationship Management
• Effectively manage key relationships both internally and externally in a way that enhances the quality, sustainability, and reputation
• Work effectively with EMT to ensure the coordination of service delivery across the organisation.
• Ensure all stakeholders are communicated with effectively in an appropriate and clear manner.
• Input to the CEO’s Board reports and communicate input from other members of the team and prepare regular reports and updates for the CEO and Board Audit and Risk Committee.
Quality & Reporting
• Monitor, review, and update Function and Team scorecards in line with the organisational strategy.
• Maintain Finance risk register with informed analysis of key risks advising appropriate mitigation strategies in accordance with the overall risk management system.
• Draft organization annual budgets and accounts
• Manage Budget process management for the Finance Function, including appropriate and timely quarterly reporting.
• Set quality targets and retain the quality standards deemed appropriate for the organisation
• Benchmark function performance/services against best practice standards, sectoral norms, review, and audit regularly, and change areas as required when new evidence becomes available.
• Input to the CEO and EMT reports, communicate input from other members of the team and prepare regular reports and updates for the CEO and Board Committees including the Audit and Risk Committee.
• Ensure Dublin Simon Community operates to the highest standards and regulations in the delivery of the Finance function.
Skills & Experience
• Qualified Accountant, ACA, ACCA or CIMA with 10 years post qualification experience.
• A bachelor’s degree in Finance, Accounting, Business or related area; relevant work
experience may be a substitute
• Detailed knowledge and understanding of Financial Management including general business concepts, financial and legal requirements and how they integrate for success.
• Detailed knowledge and understanding of Governance and Compliance requirements, including legislation, regulation, standards, and contract management.
• Knowledge of current best practice and reporting requirements in Finance and related areas such as Procurement.
• Experience in the not-for-profit sector and Charities SORP is desirable
• Audit practice experience is desirable
• Knowledge of events and trends that directly impact and influence the work of the Finance function of a not-for-profit organisation.
• Demonstrated proficiency in the Microsoft Office suite and finance systems.
• Excellent problem solving and report development and writing skills.
• Exceptional leadership qualities.
• The confidence and competence to provide sound professional advice
