Position:
Financial Controller
Location:
Cork (Hybrid)
About Simply Blue Group:
Founded in 2011, Simply Blue Group is an ambitious, values-driven organisation working at the forefront of the global blue economy. Based in Cork, Ireland, Simply Blue brings together technical expertise, innovation and strong stakeholder engagement to help drive the transition to a cleaner and more sustainable energy future.
Simply Blue Energy OSW Ltd ("SBE OSW"), is an ambitious, values-driven organisation working at the forefront of the global blue economy. Based in Cork, Ireland, Simply Blue Group brings together technical expertise, innovation and strong stakeholder engagement to help drive the transition to a cleaner and more sustainable energy future. is actively developing a major renewable energy portfolio with 8 GW of floating offshore wind and 4 GW of fixed-bottom wind projects across multiple markets. Following a significant investment by Kansai Electric Power Co., Inc. ("KEPCO") in SBE OSW, we are now seeking to strengthen our financial leadership. With KEPCO's investment, SBE OSW aims to accelerate the development of the offshore wind portfolio, and we are seeking an experienced Financial Controller to help shape a robust financial strategy, ensure disciplined reporting and support effective decision-making across the portfolio.
With an experienced and dedicated team operating from offices in Cork, Dublin, Belfast, Newquay, Pembroke, Edinburgh, Bilbao and Nova Scotia, SBE OSW is strategically positioned to deliver large-scale offshore wind projects.
Purpose of the role:
SBE OSW is seeking an experienced Financial Controller to oversee all aspects of the Group Finance Function. The ideal candidate requires a strong technical competence and experience in areas such as external reporting, tax compliance and planning, financial planning and financial control. A strong commercial acumen and ability to adapt to a varied role is equally as important. The role requires a broad skillset with strong technical grounding. The successful candidate will support the Leadership team in its decision making and will report directly to the Senior Leadership Team of the Group. There will also be an opportunity to support the Commercial team in its transaction and business planning workstreams. The role provides great opportunity for growth for the right candidate in a dynamic organisation at a time of significant opportunity.
Key Responsibilities:
Leadership & Team Management:
* Lead, mentor and support the finance team in development and improvement.
* Build relationships with Project and Operational areas of the organisation.
* Point of contact for Board and Committees for key requests.
* Identify growth areas and any additional resource requirements (Internal & External).
Tax Compliance & Planning:
* Lead corporate tax compliance & tax planning in partnership with external service providers and the accounting team.
* Maintain broad knowledge of tax regulations to ensure compliance and to support strategic planning.
* Assess performance of external service providers.
* Work with the commercial and shareholder finance teams on delivery of tax planning initiatives.
Internal & Management Reporting:
* Oversee monthly, quarterly, and annual close processes to ensure accuracy and timeliness.
* Prepare Management and Board Reporting packs and track progress against budgets and related business objectives.
* Maintain and enhance accounting policies, internal controls, and documentation.
* Review and assess quarterly consolidation process to ensure accuracy for relevant internal and external uses.
* Provide insights to Leadership team on financial matters and business progress.
* Manage a team providing services to Joint Venture partnerships.
External Reporting, Technical Accounting & Audit:
* Partner with external auditors and lead year-end audit activities.
* Support ad-hoc internal audit requests as required.
* Design shareholder reporting processes alongside shareholder representatives.
* Enhance processes around external reporting and improve delivery timelines alongside the Finance & Management Teams.
* Review key areas of judgement at reporting dates and report on significant issues to the Board.
* Maintain knowledge of updated accounting standards relevant to the Group.
* Keep accounting policies and basis of preparation under annual review.
Financial Planning & Analysis:
* Support Management in the annual budgeting and half year review process.
* Provide insights for strategic decision making and potential corrective actions where required.
* Collaborate with project teams and consolidate projections and results as required.
* Inform long term financial planning alongside the leadership team.
Financial Control & Process Development:
* Review and enhance existing financial control and day to day processes bringing previous experience to bear.
* Ensure banking processes are sufficient for an organisation of this scale.
* Document processes where gaps have been identified.
* Identify potential workflow improvements and seek to implement improvements where required.
Ad-Hoc Requirements:
* Support the commercial team in implementing its commercial strategy.
* Develop beneficial relationships with internal stakeholders – Operations, HR etc.
* Assist in development and rollout of business planning initiatives and commercial and contract management activities.
* Liaise with Boards, industry groups and external bodies as a financial representative of the organisation.
Experience and Qualifications:
Required:
* 5+ years PQE in a relevant financial role
* Experience in managing and leading a cross functional team
* ACA, ACCA or equivalent qualification
* Strong technical accounting background
* Experience of leading tax compliance or planning initiatives in a complex environment
* Background in working in a multi company and multi jurisdiction environment
* Experience in financial modelling or forecast models
* Experience with report or memo writing
* Previous roles working with Boards and Senior Stakeholders
* A commercial mindset
Desired:
* Interest in and knowledge of Renewable Energy and Offshore Wind in particular
* Previous experience in a renewable energy developer or other relevant development experience
* Tax qualification or technical training
* Detailed Financial Systems knowledge
* Experience with data visualisation software
* Audit or related experience
* Experience working across multiple jurisdictions
Note:
The role description outlines the main responsibilities of the position and is not intended to be exhaustive. As the organisation evolves, the role may develop over time.
At Simply Blue Group, we know we are only as good as our people. We value diversity and are proud of our inclusive culture, making Simply Blue Group a great best place to work and where our people feel valued, have their voices heard and can be true to their authentic selves. Diversity is one of our core values, not just because it is the right thing to do, but because it will help us be more innovative and more effective in our mission of working with the oceans to fight climate change.
We are an equal opportunities employer and encourage applications from all individuals regardless of gender, age, sexuality, class, religion, politics, or ethnicity. We are especially keen to receive applications from groups that are currently underrepresented in our industry such as those who identify as women, people living with a disability or who are from a Black, Asian, or Minority Ethnic background
.