Our client is a business support agency of the Government of Ireland.
Their mandate is to advance the competitiveness of Irish businesses through enterprise-led talent development.
Working with more than 57 enterprise bodies, our client provides talent development, upskilling and innovative business supports to over 24,000 businesses and more than 90,000 workers throughout Ireland each year.
The organisation has been recognised as an international best-practice model by the European Commission, the OECD and the ILO.
Their mission is to enable businesses in Ireland to be the best they can be, through innovative and enterprise-driven people development.
They partner directly with companies and industry groups to understand their needs and talent priorities, and help businesses to embrace innovation and build competitiveness through skills development.
The organisation is funded from the National Training Fund through the Department of Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science.
Role Overview
Our client is inviting applications for the position of Chief Operating Officer (COO).
Reporting directly to the CEO and forming part of the Leadership Team, the COO will ensure the organisation operates as a high-performing, well-governed and future-focused agency, enabling it to deliver on its national mission.
The COO will have full responsibility for: Finance Operations, ICT / Digital Transformation Human Resources Data Governance and Information Risk and Compliance Corporate Governance.
The role includes line management of a team of senior direct reports across these functions.
The successful candidate will contribute to strategic planning and change management, both in the context of current operational performance and the future development of the organisation.
This is an exciting leadership opportunity in a growing and dynamic agency.
Key Responsibilities
Support the Board, its sub-committees, and the Chief Executive in delivering the organisation's strategic objectives.
Oversee governance, risk and compliance frameworks, ensuring the organisation complies with all relevant legal and regulatory obligations.
Design and implement robust risk and compliance processes to manage key organisational risk areas; provide executive support to the Risk and Compliance team.
Oversee the operations function, ensuring business processes, systems and "engine room" strategies are designed and implemented in line with organisational requirements.
Lead the human resources strategy, employee relations, employee engagement and HR policies; advise, coach and guide the leadership and management teams on culture and people.
Oversee and manage all corporate resources and facilities, including preparation and maintenance of operating and ICT budgets.
Deliver the digital transformation strategy, including new management information systems to monitor and analyse the activity and progress of funded networks and initiatives; maintain and enhance existing systems and applications, and lead relationships with technology/service partners.
In collaboration with the Leadership Team, lead on the delivery of KPIs and performance metrics for funded networks and initiatives; monitor operational KPIs and promote a culture of high performance and operational effectiveness.
Lead the finance strategy for the organisation by providing executive oversight and support to the Office of the Financial Controller.
Liaise with External and Internal Auditors and ensure any reported findings are actioned in a timely manner.
Qualifications
A third-level degree (or equivalent) in a relevant discipline (e.g. accountancy, business administration, finance, computing, management).
A postgraduate qualification (e.g. MBA, MSc) or professional qualification in accountancy, finance, corporate governance, information systems or organisational development would be highly desirable.
Experience
Extensive senior leadership experience (typically 10+ years) in a complex organisation (e.g. Government agency or funded enterprise) with full responsibility for multiple support/business functions (Finance, HR, ICT/Technology, Risk/Compliance, Operations).
Demonstrable track record of delivering operational performance improvements, efficiency gains, business transformation (especially digital/ICT), change management and strategic implementation across multiple business units/functions.
Proven experience leading enterprise-level ICT or digital change programmes, including vendor governance, specification development, system integration, data strategy and technology procurement.
Experience in corporate governance, risk management and compliance frameworks, ideally in a board-reporting environment, including experience working with a Board and/or Audit/Risk Committee.
Strong financial management experience – budgeting, forecasting, P&L or cost control, and oversight of sizeable (multi-million euro) budgets.
Proven ability to interpret and operationalise complex business objectives, using data and evaluation findings to improve operational efficiencies and innovate processes and applications.
Significant leadership and people management experience, including senior-level HR practice and employee relations.
Personal Competencies
Excellent communicator: able to articulate vision and complex ideas, engage others, present to Board/senior stakeholders, and write clearly and persuasively.
Change agent mindset: comfortable leading and driving transformation, challenging the status quo and embedding new ways of working.
High emotional intelligence: able to manage complexity, ambiguity and conflicting priorities, and build strong internal and external relationships.
Strong commercial awareness with a hands-on track record of delivering success in complex stakeholder environments.
Excellent analytical and problem-solving skills, with a strong understanding of lean principles and experience implementing large-scale continuous improvement programmes.
Strong interpersonal and communication skills (both verbal and written), with an ability to collaborate effectively across the organisation.
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