Chief Executive Officer

About the Role

The Chief Executive and Accounting Officer (CEO) serves as the Office’s most senior executive and its chief steward of financial integrity. This role will provide the strategic vision to advance identity, inclusion, and cultural expression across our community while ensuring rigorous financial management, transparent reporting, and compliant operations. The CEO partners with the Director and the Board to deliver on its strategic objectives, long-term sustainability, and an inclusive organisational culture.

Responsibilities

Strategic Leadership

Develop and execute a multiyear strategy that advances identity, belonging, and cultural expression while meeting measurable impact, equity, and growth goals.Translate strategy into annual business plans, budgets, and KPIs; regularly report progress to the Board, the Executive Office and stakeholders.Serve as a visible ambassador for the Office; cultivate partnerships with key stakeholders, community organisations, cultural institutions, public authorities and other relevant government bodies.

Governance, Risk & Compliance (Accounting Officer Duties)

Act as the Accounting Officer with ultimate responsibility for the integrity of financial statements, internal controls, and compliance with applicable standards (e.g., GAAP/IFRS), Managing Public Money NI and Audit requirements.Oversee internal control frameworks, risk registers, and policies (procurement, expense, conflicts of interest, data privacy – not exhaustive).Lead the annual external audit (NIAO); coordinate with Audit and Risk Committee and ensure timely and accurate completion with relevant disclosures.

Financial Stewardship

Deliver the full finance cycle: budgeting, forecasting, cash management, capital planning, and scenario modelling.Produce monthly management accounts and dashboards; provide insights on variances where applicable.Maximise resource allocation c£1m per annum to achieve KPIs and ensure sustainability; drive cost discipline without compromising program quality.

Program & Operational Excellence

Oversee program design and delivery across cultural programming, events, education, and community engagement; ensure activities align with strategic priorities and are evaluated for outcomes and inclusion.Lead Operations/HR to attract, develop, and retain a diverse, high-performing team; foster a psychologically safe workplace and coach leaders.Establish data, technology, and knowledge management practices that improve accessibility, efficiency, and decision-making whilst complying with all relevant legislation.

Stakeholder Management

Build strategic partnerships with academic departments, student groups, and external cultural organisations to extend reach and co-create programs.Represent the Office at convenings, media opportunities, and stakeholder forums.

Culture, Equity & Community

Model inclusive leadership; embed equity principles in strategy, recruitment, procurement, communications, and program evaluation.Promote community voice in all of the Office’s work programme and in planning and evaluations.

Qualifications

A minimum of 5 years’ senior management experience in the private, public or voluntary sectors requiring the management of resources, both human and financial, together with the application of current best practice in relation to governance, accountability, business planning, risk management, audit and financial management.A minimum of 5 years’ senior management experience in the private, public or voluntary sector providing detailed policy advice and/or proposals on strategic issues concerning the sector with which an individual is working.Significant experience working within the arts, culture, heritage, creative industries or cultural policy sectors with a demonstrated understanding of cultural programming, identity work and community engagement.Demonstrable evidence of having developed and managed programmes and projects to support the achievement of strategic objectives.Demonstrable evidence of leading and developing a range of professional, highly-skilled, high-performance teams to deliver effective outcomes and performance improvements.Demonstrable evidence of having provided effective and timely advice and information to Board or Director level, in a public, private or community and voluntary sector organisation, in order to provide a rationale for policy development and account for organisational achievement.

Desirable Criteria

Applicants must, by the closing date, have successfully completed the professional examinations and be a full, current member of one of the bodies listed below:Chartered Accountants Ireland The Institute of CharteredAccountants in Scotland The Institute of CharteredAccountants in England and Wales The Chartered Institute ofManagement Accountants The Association of CharteredCertified Accountants The Chartered Institute of PublicFinance AccountancyorCIPD Chartered MembershipNB Membership of alternative accounting bodies, recognised as equivalent by the selection panel, will be considered.

Pay range and compensation package

Salary £88,000Annual leave: 30 days plus 12 days public and privilege holidaysPension: Principal Civil Service at 34.25% Employers Pension Contribution

Equal Opportunity Statement

We are an equal opportunity employer committed to building a diverse workforce and an inclusive culture. We welcome applications from all qualified individuals and strongly encourage candidates from historically underrepresented communities to apply. Reasonable accommodations are available upon request.

This job description is indicative and may be reviewed to meet evolving organisational needs.

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