Head of Advisory Services

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To lead the BITCI Advisory Services team and engage directly with companies, build partnerships and provide Sustainability & ESG thought leadership.

Purpose of the Role: To lead the BITCI Advisory Services team and engage directly with companies to build partnerships and provide thought leadership to support BITCI purpose and strategy ambition.

JOB SUMMARY

• Thorough knowledge and practical experience of Sustainability and ESG; a thought leader with a passion for driving change in business and articulating the business case for sustainable and inclusive business.
• Seven to ten years' experience of leading high-performing, dynamic teams with specific reference to managing teams of experts.
• Role is based in Dublin (hybrid role, office location is Dublin 7).
• Salary is €67k - €82k per annum, depending on experience.
• Full-Time Permanent Contract - 35 hours per week.
• Strong capacity for strategy and operational management within complex market conditions.
• Experience of working with diverse corporate clients ideally within the context of membership or advisory services.

Please note that you must hold current eligibility to work in Ireland to be considered for the role.

SEE FULL JOB DESCRIPTION BELOW FOR FURTHER DETAILS

Benefits offered:

• Annual leave: starts with 23 days annual leave per year, rising to 26 days after 1 year, and up to 30 days on a sliding scale with tenure.
• Various generous/paid family friendly leave policies to promote work/life balance and positive mental health.
• PRSA: Option to join the Company's PRSA scheme with 5% employer contribution.
• Work from Anywhere in the world for 10 days per year *(T&Cs apply).
• Career growth – We want you to grow with us.
• Access to our Employee Assistance Programme including free unlimited virtual GP visits.
• Cycle to work scheme; including claiming back your mileage
• Life insurance and income protector scheme.
• Supports to set up home office and provision of all necessary IT infrastructure for remote working.
• Volunteer leave days – We encourage you to give back to the community.
• Did we mention great teammates?

JOB DESCRIPTION

The role is an opportunity to directly influence change in business and drive the sustainability agenda. The role holder will be a visible leader, engaging directly with companies to build partnerships, and providing thought leadership to support BITCI purpose and strategy ambition.

In March 2025, BITCI launches its 2025-28 Strategy, "Innovate, collaborate and transform", which sets the ambition for the organization to drive change in business on sustainability and social inclusion. The new strategy requires the review and design of clear engagement pathways, to facilitate business access to its initiatives and support in a meaningful way. The Head of Advisory Services will be a critical leader in design and development, working alongside colleagues in the Senior Team and Advisory Services team. The new business engagement models that will be put in place will have an impact on the structure of the organization, redefining roles, teams, reporting lines and ways of working. The Head of Advisory Services will be critical for its success.

The Head of Advisory Services is responsible for:

• Leading the Advisory Services team, with accountability for people, service offering, business engagement, operational and financial targets.
• Implementing a team-wide action plan and KPIs, aligned to BITCI strategic objectives.
• Driving engagement and retention with companies and fostering a customer-centric culture.
• Championing innovation and high standards of service through continuous improvement and thought leadership.
• Providing engaging communications internally and externally to drive actions.
• Cultivating and maintaining relationships with internal and external stakeholders.
• Lead and monitor the team-wide and individual action plans and targets to align with strategic objectives; review areas for improvement; plan adequate resourcing.
• Lead on learning and development; ensure the capacity, competencies, motivation and engagement of the team is maintained and enhanced.
• Oversee our Services Catalogue, including service reviews to ensure quality, continuous improvement, innovation and market relevance.
• Support the team to deliver high impact 1-2-1 supports and initiatives aligned with our Strategy.
• Lead, alongside CEO and Senior Team, the BITCI Leaders' Group on Sustainability; co-ordinate governance and action plan, subgroups, workshops and impact.
• Support the strategic planning of the Business Working Responsibly Mark and collective action campaigns Accelerate, Elevate and the Responsible Business Association.
• Lead on extensive stakeholder engagement, including government, industry bodies and agencies' liaison where relevant.
• Be a spokesperson for the organization to the media and other external audiences.
• Partner with Advisory and Communications colleagues to design and deliver high-profile engaging events to showcase our work, network and influence.

Company engagement and retention and business development

• Oversee engagement models with companies; lead on reviews to improve internal performance and company satisfaction levels.
• In line with our new Strategy, ensure a transition path for current members as we create new pathways for business to engage.
• Drive a strong retention culture and customer-centric approach underpinned by active monitoring, partnering with the Member Relations Manager and team to act on critical issues with companies.
• Support the team on retention; participate in meetings, manage challenging situations.
• Partner across team on new member company recruitment and project income targets.
• Ensure the team delivers an excellent new company on-boarding; define aims of partnership and build long-term engagement.

Manage the Team

• Develop a supportive relationship with the team. Act as line manager to senior members of the team.
• Manage change that will result from our transitional strategy to ensure buy-in and commitment.
• Provide ongoing coaching, support and on the job training.
• Hold regular team meetings and appraisals.
• Promote and be a custodian of our organizations' ethos and culture.
• Lead on financial targets for member retention and project income.

Member of the Senior Leadership Team

• Contribute to strategic aims, providing insight, best practice and thought leadership.
• Identify and drive opportunities for effective collaboration and cohesion across teams.
• Engage in key initiatives identified in the 2025-2028 Strategy, especially on the design of clear business engagement pathways and structure redesign.
• Engage with the Board, CEO and Senior Team to provide insight and updates.
• Engage in budget preparation and ongoing financial oversight with sign-off on expenditure and review of revenue targets.

Personal Requirements

Qualifications and Knowledge

• A thorough knowledge of Sustainability and ESG, developed through a qualification (minimum degree level) in a relevant discipline, and/or through relevant experience.
• A proven leader who deeply cares about sustainable, inclusive and responsible business, who has engaged in writing, speaking and advocating on this critical agenda of change.

Experience

• Seven to ten years' experience of leading high performing, multi-disciplinary and dynamic teams with specific reference to managing teams of experts to deliver key services to business.
• A strong capacity for strategy and operational management within a complex environment.
• Experience of working with diverse corporate clients ideally within the context of membership or advisory services.
• Strong experience and ability to manage multiple and complex internal and external stakeholder relationships – from team leadership to peer support, funding and influencing.
• Proficient in MS Office applications and use of technology (SharePoint and Dynamics CRM).

Advantageous knowledge and experience

• Deep understanding of Irish business landscape, structure and key issues, ideally acquired working in a business environment.
• A solid understanding of change management applied to business.
• Strong leadership experience at a senior management level.
• Relationship management at a senior stakeholder level, Board of Directors, Government.
• Committed to operational excellence and transparency in everything we do.

Skills/ Personal Attributes

• An engaging leader with the ability to create a vision and clarity of purpose at all levels.
• Highly motivated and enthusiastic.
• Good communicator with effective conflict resolution/negotiation skills.
• Ability to work on your own initiative and as part of a dynamic team with multiple tasks and conflicting deadlines.
• Client-driven attitude.
• Ability to influence.
• Excellent oral, written and presentation skills.
• Excellent networking and facilitating skills.
• Committed to the values of Business in the Community Ireland.

***The above is not an exhaustive list of duties. Other ad-hoc duties may be assigned from time to time, in line with the overall organizational objectives of BITCI.