Head of Finance, Planning and Performance

Job Title: Head of Finance, Planning and Performance

Location: Hybrid Working and FAI HQ Abbottstown

Direct Reporting Line To: Finance Director

Commencement Date: TBC

Duration: Permanent, full time

Working Model: Hybrid

Introduction
The Football Association of Ireland (FAI) is the governing body for Association Football in the Republic of Ireland. The FAI has primary responsibility for all regulatory and footballing aspects of the game in Ireland. Football is a sport that is woven into the fabric of the nation, and as the national governing body the FAI is at the heart of that - from inspiring and engaging legions of passionate fans who follow leading female and male Irish players and world class tournaments, through to supporting the grassroots of the sport which reach into local communities across Ireland to help get the nation active and deliver significant physical and mental health benefits to those involved.

The Department
The role of the Finance Department is to ensure the business prioritises its spending on the projects and programmes that deliver the maximum benefit to our customers - whether that is performance programmes for elite players or children playing football for the first time. Our team is led by the Finance Director who sits on the Senior Leadership Team reporting directly to the CEO.

The department provides strategic financial leadership, robust governance, and commercial insight across the business. At the heart of the department is a high performing team of finance professionals who combine technical expertise with commercial acumen and integrity. The team works collaboratively with colleagues across the Association, providing trusted advice, constructive challenge, and insightful analysis to support informed decision making. Empowered to influence outcomes and hold the business accountable for its financial performance, the team plays a key role in ensuring resources are managed effectively and deliver maximum impact.

Principle Purpose and Duties
The Head of Finance, Planning & Performance is responsible for leading the Association's financial planning, management reporting, business partnering and financial performance functions while ensuring robust financial control and governance across the Association.

Working closely with the Finance Director and Senior Leadership Team, the role provides strategic financial insight to support informed decision making, enabling the Association to maximise investment in initiatives that deliver the greatest impact. The postholder will lead the annual planning and budgeting process, oversee financial performance, develop high quality management information, and foster a culture of accountability and continuous improvement across the business.

This role combines strong technical finance expertise with commercial acumen, leadership and the ability to influence stakeholders at all levels.

Key Responsibilities
Financial Leadership & Strategy

• Provide strategic financial leadership to support the delivery of the Association's strategic objectives
• Act as a trusted adviser to the Finance Director, Chief Executive and Senior Leadership Team
• Contribute to organisational planning, investment decisions and long term financial sustainability
• Develop financial models, business cases and scenario analysis to support strategic decision making
• Provide robust financial planning and analysis, ensuring investment decisions are supported by sound financial and cost benefit analysis
• Constructively challenge spending decisions and promote value for money across the Association
• Deputise for the Finance Director where required

Financial Planning, Budgeting & Performance

• Lead the annual budgeting process together with regular forecasting and long term financial planning
• Oversee the production of monthly management accounts, financial performance reports and executive dashboards
• Monitor organisational performance against budgets and forecasts, providing insightful variance analysis and recommendations
• Develop meaningful financial and operational performance measures to support effective decision making
• Drive continuous improvement in budgeting, forecasting and performance management processes

Financial Reporting & Control

• Ensure the timely preparation of accurate monthly, quarterly and annual financial reports
• Maintain robust financial controls, policies and governance frameworks to safeguard the Association's assets and resources
• Ensure financial information is accurate, reliable and supports informed business decisions
• Identify opportunities to improve financial reporting through automation, systems and process enhancements

Treasury Management

• Lead treasury management activities, with responsibility for cashflow forecasting, liquidity management and working capital
• Manage banking relationships and ensure sufficient funding is available to meet operational requirements
• Monitor financial risks and recommend appropriate mitigation strategies

Audit, Compliance & Governance

• Lead the annual external audit process and manage relationships with external auditors
• Oversee the preparation of the Annual Report and Financial Statements
• Ensure compliance with all statutory, regulatory and tax obligations
• Liaise with internal auditors and ensure reviews are completed in accordance with the approved Internal Audit Plan
• Support the preparation of papers for the Audit Committee and attend Committee meetings alongside the Finance Director
• Promote strong governance and effective financial risk management throughout the Association
• Ensure reporting obligations to key stakeholders - Bank, Sport Ireland, etc - are fulfilled

Finance Operations

• Oversee the day to day operation of the finance function, including accounts payable, accounts receivable, general ledger and financial systems
• Ensure finance processes are efficient, scalable and supported by appropriate controls
• Lead continuous improvement initiatives to enhance finance systems, processes and reporting capabilities

Business Partnering

• Lead the Finance Business Partnering function, providing proactive financial support to departments across the Association
• Build effective relationships with budget holders and senior managers, supporting informed decision making and financial accountability
• Promote financial awareness throughout the Association and encourage ownership of financial performance

Leadership & People Management

• Lead, develop and inspire a high performing finance team
• Create a culture of accountability, collaboration and continuous improvement
• Coach and develop team members, supporting professional qualifications and career development
• Ensure appropriate succession planning and capability development within the finance function

Stakeholder Management

• Present complex financial information clearly and effectively to non financial audiences
• Build strong working relationships across the Association to support strategic and operational objectives
• Develop effective relationships with external stakeholders including auditors, financial institutions, regulators and funding bodies
• Work collaboratively with the Board, Executive Team and Committees to support effective governance and decision making

Person Specification
Essential Knowledge, Skills & Experience
The successful candidate will be a commercially minded finance leader with the ability to combine technical excellence with strategic thinking and strong stakeholder management.

They will hold and demonstrate:

• A recognised professional accounting qualification (ACA, ACCA, CIMA or equivalent)
• Significant experience in a senior finance leadership role, with responsibility for financial planning, reporting and performance management
• Strong technical accounting knowledge and experience of statutory reporting, financial controls and governance
• Proven experience leading budgeting, forecasting, financial planning and analysis (FP&A), and business partnering
• Experience of leading and developing high performing finance teams
• Excellent commercial acumen, with the ability to translate financial insight into strategic recommendations
• Strong analytical and problem solving skills, with experience developing financial models and business cases
• Exceptional communication and influencing skills, with the ability to present complex financial information clearly to both financial and non financial audiences
• Experience building trusted relationships and influencing stakeholders at executive and board level
• Excellent organisational skills with the ability to manage competing priorities, deliver to deadlines and maintain high standards of accuracy
• A proactive approach to continuous improvement, identifying opportunities to enhance finance processes, systems and reporting

Desirable Experience

• Experience working within a complex, multi stakeholder or regulated organisation
• Experience supporting organisational strategy, transformation programmes or change initiatives
• Experience implementing or improving finance systems and reporting tools
• Experience within the sports, not for profit, charitable or membership sector
• Knowledge of grant funding and restricted fund accounting

Personal Attributes

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