Head of Finance and Corporate Services in Belfast

The Head of Finance and Corporate Services will provide strategic and operational leadership across finance, HR administration, governance support and organisational systems for Athletics Northern Ireland and Mary Peters Track Ltd. The postholder will support the CEO, Board and senior management team through accurate financial reporting, financial planning, compliance oversight and effective organisational support within a publicly funded and commercially active environment.

Athletics Northern Ireland is the governing body for athletics in Northern Ireland and is responsible for the development, promotion and governance of the sport across all levels from grassroots participation through to elite performance. Mary Peters Track Ltd manages one of Northern Ireland's leading athletics facilities on behalf of Belfast City Council. The successful candidate will work across both organisations within a complex operational environment involving public funding, governance requirements, facility management, events and commercial activity. The successful candidate will join Athletics NI during an important period of organisational development and transition. An immediate priority will be ensuring continuity across key finance, payroll, HR and corporate services functions. The postholder will be expected to quickly establish an understanding of existing arrangements across Athletics NI and Mary Peters Track Ltd and ensure the timely delivery of critical activities including payroll, grant claims, VAT returns, management reporting, budgeting and compliance requirements.

Key Responsibilities

• Financial Leadership and Management
  • Lead the annual budgeting and financial planning process across Athletics NI and Mary Peters Track Ltd.
  • Ensure continuity of critical financial functions, including payroll, VAT returns, grant claims, management reporting and statutory compliance.
  • Prepare accurate monthly management accounts, budget monitoring reports and financial forecasts.
  • Provide financial analysis and advice to support operational and strategic decision-making.
  • Monitor cashflow and provide regular forecasting and variance analysis.
  • Identify opportunities to improve efficiency, financial sustainability and operational effectiveness.
  • Support commercial decision-making through profitability and performance analysis.
  • Maintain effective financial controls, systems and procedures.
  • Lead preparation for annual audit processes and liaise with external auditors and advisors.
  • Ensure compliance with VAT, HMRC and statutory financial requirements.
  • Prepare financial reports and supporting information for the Board and Committees.
  • Manage financial administration relating to Sport NI and other funding bodies, including grant claims and compliance reporting.
  • Support the financial management of the Belfast City Council management contract relating to Mary Peters Track.
• Governance and Corporate Services
  • Support the CEO with the development and continuous improvement of governance, corporate services and organisational support systems across both organisations.
  • Support organisational governance, procurement and risk management processes.
  • Maintain oversight of organisational policies, procedures and compliance frameworks.
  • Support the CEO and Board in the development of effective governance structures, risk management arrangements and reporting processes.
  • Maintain oversight of organisational insurance, statutory filings and corporate compliance requirements.
  • Manage procurement processes and supplier contracts in accordance with organisational policies and funding requirements.
  • Review existing financial, HR and administrative systems and procedures and implement improvements where appropriate.
  • Develop and document key financial and corporate services processes to strengthen organisational resilience and reduce reliance on individual knowledge holders.
  • Maintain and develop systems for document management, record keeping and business continuity.
  • Manage relationships with IT, utility and operational service providers.
  • Support continuous improvement of organisational systems and reporting processes.
• Human Resources
  • Oversee HR administration across both organisations.
  • Manage employment contracts, onboarding documentation and staff records.
  • Administer payroll, pensions, annual leave, TOIL, overtime and expenses.
  • Support recruitment administration, probationary processes and HR compliance.
  • Assist managers with workforce planning and staffing budgets.
  • Liaise with external HR and legal advisors where required.
• Organisational Support and Business Improvement
  • Provide support to the CEO and Senior Management Team on organisational projects and operational initiatives.
  • Support organisational planning, change management and business improvement activities.
  • Contribute to the development and implementation of strategic objectives across Athletics NI and Mary Peters Track Ltd.
  • Promote a culture of accountability, continuous improvement and high organisational performance.

Person Specification

Essential Criteria

• Qualifications and Experience
  • Degree level qualification or equivalent professional experience in finance, accounting, business management or a related discipline.
  • Professional accountancy qualification or substantial senior finance management experience.
  • Minimum of three years' experience in a senior finance, corporate services, operations or business management role.
  • Experience of preparing management accounts, budgets, financial forecasts and cashflow projections.
  • Experience of payroll, VAT, audit preparation and financial compliance processes.
  • Experience of financial reporting within a publicly funded, sporting, charitable, educational or not-for-profit environment.
  • Experience of managing multiple competing priorities within a small or medium-sized organisation.
• Governance and Corporate Services
  • Experience of governance, compliance or corporate administration processes.
  • Experience of reviewing and improving financial systems, controls or organisational processes.
  • Understanding of risk management, procurement and corporate compliance requirements.
  • Experience of developing, implementing or maintaining organisational policies, procedures and systems.
• Human Resources
  • Experience of HR administration and employment-related processes.

Skills and Competencies

• Strong financial management, organisational and analytical skills.
• Excellent IT, communication and report-writing skills.
• Ability to work independently, establish priorities and deliver critical business functions within a fast-paced operational environment.
• Ability to analyse information, identify issues and implement practical solutions.
• Ability to build effective working relationships with staff, managers, Board members, funders and external stakeholders.
• Ability to manage multiple priorities whilst maintaining accuracy, professionalism and confidentiality.
• Commitment to high standards of governance, accountability and customer service.

Desirable Criteria

• Experience within the sport, leisure, public, charity or membership sectors.
• Experience of grant management and public funding compliance.
• Experience of procurement and contract management.
• Experience of supporting Boards, Committees or governance structures.
• Experience of organisational development, business improvement or change management.
• Understanding of commercial operations within a sporting, membership or facility-based environment.
• Experience of implementing new systems, technologies or business processes.
• Experience of working across multiple legal entities, subsidiaries or trading companies.
• Knowledge of the governance and funding environment within sport in Northern Ireland.