Chief Financial Officer – University College Cork
Join to apply for the CFO role at the University College Cork.
Odgers Ireland are delighted to support the University College Cork (UCC) in their search for a Chief Financial Officer.
The Opportunity
This is a compelling time to join University College Cork, as the institution delivers its Strategic Plan – Securing our Future 2023–2028.
The Chief Financial Officer (CFO) will lead the strategic and operational management of UCC’s financial resources, ensuring long‑term sustainability and enabling the delivery of its academic mission.
As a member of the University Leadership Team (ULT), the CFO will oversee a budget exceeding €500 million, guiding financial strategy, investment, risk, and resource deployment. The role involves close collaboration with the President, Governing Authority, ULT and external stakeholders to communicate financial performance, support infrastructure development, and drive commercial growth.
This senior executive will also lead the finance function and champion a major business transformation programme, playing a central role in shaping the financial vision of a leading institution and making a lasting impact.
The Individual
The CFO is a dynamic and strategic leader with deep expertise in commercial operations, infrastructure financing, and stakeholder engagement. They are known for their resilience, political acumen, and ability to foster inclusive, high‑performing cultures while navigating complex organisational environments.
Essential Criteria
Qualifications
Educated to minimum of degree level or equivalent qualification.
Experience
Minimum 10 years’ experience as a strategic leader with primary responsibility for leading, delivering and developing financial services for a large, higher education institute or a comparably complex public or private sector organisation.
Experience in financial and resource planning at a strategic level, with the capacity to take the long‑term view in envisioning the future of the university in and beyond the context of the Strategic Plan.
Background in leading strategies that drive long‑term cultural and operational change, embedding enhanced working practices.
Proven track record of a broad financial skillset including financial reporting, accounting, financial control, financial planning and analysis, commercial business insight, business partnering skills, finance systems implementation, procurement, risk management, tax and treasury.
Skills, Knowledge and Behaviours
Strong leadership qualities and ability, a sharp intellect and the capacity to lead continuous organisational change and development.
Strong strategic and analytical thinking and problem‑solving skills, with the ability to manage complexity and ambiguity.
Strong commercial and business acumen, with experience in capital and digital infrastructure financing models, procurement frameworks, and managing complex funding streams (for example research funding).
Solutions focused and committed to fixing and resolving challenges.
Resilience and adaptability to navigate a complex, dynamic, and evolving organisational environment.
Ability to influence and inspire others, fostering a culture of collaboration, inclusivity, and high performance across the university.
Experience in developing effective and impactful relationships with a range of senior stakeholders and with the ability to influence, persuade, and motivate others.
Political acumen and skills to develop productive relationships with government agencies and other key external bodies.
Sound judgement and an engaging and collaborative style that aligns with UCC values.
Ability to generate commitment to financial best practice from non‑financial stakeholders.
Promote a strong customer service ethos within the finance function for internal and external stakeholders eg: students, suppliers, staff, auditors, government agencies.
Excellent oral and written communication skills.
Educated to Masters (level 9) degree in a relevant discipline.
Experience of working within the Irish Public Service and other large complex private services environments.
Odgers Ireland have been exclusively retained by University College Cork to manage the appointment process. Candidates for this role will be sourced through both an advertised and executive search process.
Closing date: Tuesday 18 November 12:00 noon (Irish local time).
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