Background:

The Teagasc Finance Department comprises three teams reporting to the Head of Finance – the Financial Accounting team, the Management Accounting team and the Financial Operations team.  

The Financial Operations team operates as an internal shared services provider delivering payroll/pensions (>€170m p.a.), credit control, cash receipts, accounts payable (>€100m p.a.), accounts receivable (>€70m p.a.), and travel and subsistence expenses (>€5m p.a.). The services are delivered by Teagasc staff supported by an External Service Provider.  Teagasc is seeking to recruit a high calibre senior manager to oversee the Financial Operations function with the leadership, customer service, passion and commitment required to lead the Financial Operations team and contribute to the development of the Teagasc Finance function. The person appointed will have managerial, technical, and functional finance shared services experience. 

Basic Function:

The Financial Operations Manager is a crucial leadership role in the Finance Department requiring customer focus while operating in a fast paced, regulated environment with high transaction volumes. They will be responsible for ensuring efficient service delivery with robust adherence to regulations, policies and procedures which ensure accountability and transparency over the spending of public funds.  The successful candidate will build a culture of employee engagement and continuous improvement to ensure provision of a high-quality service. 

Main Duties and Responsibilities:

•     Lead and develop a high-performing Financial Operations team whose responsibilities include:

                      o    Payroll administration for employees and pensioners
                      o    Accounts payable
                      o    Credit control
                      o    Sales invoicing
                      o    Payment collections and cash management processes and
                      o    Travel and subsistence expense administration

•  Foster a culture of accountability, continuous improvement, customer service excellence and professional development within the Financial Operations team.
•  Oversee and monitor operational performance across all Financial Operations functions, ensuring the accurate, timely and efficient delivery of services and reporting on agreed key performance indicators (KPIs); 
•  Ensure compliance with all relevant legislative, regulatory and organisational requirements, including financial and tax regulations, public sector governance standards, GDPR and data protection obligations;  
•  Ensure the delivery of high-quality customer service in accordance with agreed service level agreements (SLAs), while maintaining strong relationships with internal and external stakeholders;
• Identify, evaluate and lead initiatives to improve the efficiency, effectiveness and quality of Financial Operations processes, leveraging technology, process redesign and best practice approaches;
• Lead continuous improvement activities across Financial Operations, ensuring that policies, procedures, process documentation and standard operating procedures are maintained, regularly reviewed and effectively communicated; 
• Develop, maintain and regularly test business continuity and operational resilience plans for Financial Operations, ensuring continuity of critical services and minimising disruption in the event of operational incidents.
• Lead the annual business planning process for Financial Operations, including workforce planning, objective setting, resource management and risk assessment, ensuring alignment with organisational priorities and strategic objectives;
• Develop, manage and monitor the Financial Operations budget, ensuring effective utilisation of resources and compliance with financial controls;
• Prepare and present management information, operational reports and performance updates to senior management, providing analysis, recommendations and insights to support informed decision-making;
• Collaborate effectively with Finance colleagues and key stakeholders across Teagasc to support the delivery of organisational objectives, change initiatives and service improvement programmes;
• Manage relationships with external service providers, system vendors and other third-party partners, ensuring contractual obligations, service level agreements and performance standards are achieved and maintained;
• Fully co-operate with the provisions made for ensuring the health, safety and welfare of themselves, fellow staff and non-Teagasc staff and co-operate with management in enabling Teagasc to comply with legal obligations.  This includes full compliance with the responsibilities outlined in the Safety Statement.
• Assist Teagasc in meeting the commitments of the Customer Service Charter and Action Plan through adherence to best practice protocols.
• Take responsibility for own on-going personal and professional development.
• To actively participate in the annual business planning and Performance Management Development System (PMDS) processes.
• Any other duties as may be assigned from time to time

* This job specification is intended as a guide to the general range of duties and is intended to be neither definitive nor restrictive.  It will be reviewed from time to time with the post holder.

 Note:  The ‘essential’ qualifications, knowledge, skills and behavioural competencies outlined above are ‘must-have’ which will be used in the selection process.

Note:  Alternative location(s) may be considered solely at the discretion of Teagasc management

Gender, Diversity and Inclusion

At all levels in Teagasc, we believe in growing and keeping alive an open, diverse and inclusive workplace which is respectful to all and nurtures different perspectives, for the benefit of all in the organisation.

We are committed to the principles of 'Equal Opportunities, No Barriers, Active Inclusion'.

We actively welcome applications from people from diverse backgrounds.