The Role

Head of Global Finance
Location: Maynooth, Co. Kildare
Contract Type: Permanent
Travel: Occasional international travel (approx. twice per year)
Work Model: Hybrid (2–3 days onsite in Maynooth)
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This is a senior leadership role responsible for driving financial strategy, governance, and operational excellence. The successful candidate will play a key role in supporting executive decision-making, ensuring financial sustainability, and maintaining strong risk management and compliance frameworks across global operations.
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Key Responsibilities
Financial Leadership & Strategy
• Lead the global finance function, ensuring alignment with organisational strategy
• Act as a strategic advisor to the Executive Leadership Team and Board
• Develop long-term financial planning frameworks to support organisational growth
Financial Governance, Risk & Compliance
• Design and implement financial risk management frameworks across international operations
• Ensure compliance with all regulatory, statutory, and reporting requirements
• Promote a strong culture of accountability and financial stewardship
Financial Reporting & Audit
• Oversee the preparation of statutory accounts in line with relevant standards
• Lead relationships with external auditors and regulatory bodies
• Manage internal and donor audits, ensuring timely resolution of findings
Budgeting & Financial Planning
• Lead the annual budgeting process and periodic financial reviews
• Develop and maintain multi-year financial plans
• Ensure strong value-for-money analysis across all programmes and operations
Treasury & Cash Management
• Oversee treasury operations, including cash flow and foreign exchange exposure
• Manage banking, insurance, and external advisory relationships
• Ensure alignment with Board-approved investment policies
Systems & Transformation
• Ensure effectiveness of financial systems, controls, and processes
• Lead finance transformation initiatives, including digitalisation and process improvement
• Collaborate with systems teams to enhance financial reporting capabilities
Business Partnering
• Provide financial leadership across all divisions and international offices
• Support complex funding models, donor compliance, and reporting requirements
• Oversee financial governance of subsidiary entities
Leadership & Team Management
• Lead and develop a high-performing global finance team
• Drive continuous improvement, innovation, and change initiatives
• Support talent development, succession planning, and team wellbeing
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Reporting & Structure
• Reports to the Director of Corporate Services
• Member of the Corporate Services Management Team
• Direct management of approximately 13 finance staff
• Oversight of c.15 Finance & Administration Managers across international locations
• Regular engagement with Board and Audit & Risk Committees

The Person

Candidate Requirements
Essential
• Qualified accountant (ACA, ACCA, CIMA or CPA)
• Minimum 8 years’ post-qualification experience
• Proven senior financial leadership experience in a complex, multi-entity and/or international environment
• Strong expertise in financial and management accounting, budgeting, and forecasting
• Demonstrated experience engaging with executive leadership and Boards
• Strong knowledge of risk management, compliance, and internal controls
• Experience with financial systems and ERP platforms (e.g. Agresso or similar)
• Excellent communication, stakeholder management, and leadership skills
• Strong project management and change leadership capability
• High level of IT proficiency, particularly Microsoft Office
Desirable
• Experience in the not-for-profit or NGO sector
• International finance experience
• Treasury or investment management exposure
• Knowledge of institutional funding and donor compliance
• Experience with Unit4 (Agresso) and/or Salesforce
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Person Profile
• Strategic and commercially aware leader
• Strong communicator with a collaborative approach
• Results-driven with high levels of accountability
• Ability to lead change in a complex environment
• Committed to continuous improvement and development

The Package

• Competitive salary and benefits package, including pension and life assurance
• Flexible, hybrid working model