Finance Director

Job Title: Finance Director

Location: HQ Abbottstown

Direct Reporting Line: FAI Chief Executive Officer

Commencement Date: ASAP

Duration: Permanent, Full Time

The Football Association of Ireland (FAI) is the governing body for Association Football in the Republic of Ireland. The FAI has primary responsibility for all regulatory and footballing aspects of the game in Ireland.

Football is a sport that is woven into the fabric of the nation, and as the national governing body the FAI is at the heart of that – from inspiring and engaging legions of passionate fans who follow leading female and male Irish players and world class tournaments, through to supporting the grassroots of the sport which reach into local communities across Ireland to help get the nation active and deliver significant physical and mental health benefits to those involved.

The role of the Finance Department is to ensure the business prioritises its spending on the projects and programmes that deliver the maximum benefit to our customers – whether that is performance programmes for elite players or children playing football for the first time.

The last number of years have seen a significant positive transformation of the FAI's support functions, including investment in the finance team, and seen the Association emerge, on a solid financial footing and with clarity of purpose. There has never been a more exciting time to work for the FAI, at the outset of an ambitious strategic journey for one of Ireland's leading sports organisations.

Reporting to the FAI Chief Executive Officer or delegate and a key member of the FAI Senior Leadership Team (SLT), the Finance Director will be critical in setting, driving and delivering on all the strategic financial decisions to support the FAI's strategy.

As the Finance Director, you will need excellent leadership and financial competencies to support the CEO, the SLT, the FAI Board, and FAI committees in overseeing the application of appropriate accounting standards, integrating effective day-to-day finance operations and processes across the organisation, delivering robust forecasting and long-range budgeting, and preparing financial reports.

Your ability to embed strategic financial planning as a Finance Director will help ensure the FAI maintains positive revenue growth, cost efficiency, and financial stability. You will be expected to implement proper internal financial controls, to achieve targets and develop financial plans that support the new FAI strategy. Your excellent communication skills enable you to present analysis, results, recommendations, and influence decisions at all levels, including the Board of Management and external stakeholders.

We are looking for a strategic and astute thinker, with significant commercial acumen, who will bring a dynamic way of working and fresh approach to the role. The Finance Director will seek transformation opportunities, modernising finance systems, structures, and ways of working. This is a key role within the FAI and will be expected to build relationships with a broad and diverse set of stakeholders – both domestic and international.

• Lead the finance function of the Football Association of Ireland with responsibility for team development, coaching, the improving of skillsets and the promotion of best practice.
• Proactively manage all internal and external stakeholders on financial matters, including Senior Leadership Team, Board, Committees, General Assembly, sponsors, UEFA, FIFA, Government, Sport Ireland, banks, and the wider football family ensuring all information is delivered accurately and in a timely manner.
• Ensure compliance with the Association's banking covenants and its statutory and regulatory obligations.
• Contribute to the achievement of the Association's business objectives by providing advice and guidance on financial strategy.
• Report regularly to the FAI Board and the FAI's Audit, Risk, Compliance and Finance Committee on the financial performance and financial situation of the Association.
• Ensure the external audit of the Association's annual financial statements is completed on time and provides a clean audit opinion. Provide strategic and financial guidance to ensure that the Association's financial commitments are met. Similarly manage the relationship with the Association's internal auditors.
• Prepare long-term cashflow forecasts under a range of scenarios to allow the Association to maximise opportunities and manage financial risk.
• Lead the business in financial planning and analysis, including managing the Association's cost base to maximise available financial resources for the Association's strategic priorities.
• Financial oversight of the Association's joint ventures including the Aviva Stadium and the Athletic Union League Complex.
• Develop and maintain all necessary systems, policies, and procedures to ensure effective and efficient financial management within the Association.
• Direct procurement activity within the Association to optimise quality and value for money whilst ensuring the FAI complies with national and EU regulations.
• Providing leadership and direction to the finance team.
• Being a pivotal member of the Senior Management team proactively contributing to the FAI's commercial growth.
• Any other duties which may be assigned by the CEO.

• 10+ years senior leadership experience preferably in a client / consumer driven environment.
• Qualified accountant – ACA/ ACCA or CIMA
• A demonstrable track record of driving financial strategies in a corporate environment.
• Proficient in budgeting/forecasting, financial analysis and risk management.
• Excellent leadership and interpersonal skills with significant team management experience.
• A strong communicator that anticipates the needs of its key stakeholders.
• Highly proactive with a 'can do' attitude.
• Hard working & driven to succeed and achieve our pillars set out in our strategy.
• Ability to work on own initiative and appreciate the high level of accountability.
• A visible and dependable leader that actively seeks to motivate others.
• Flexibility to operate outside normal working hours.

Please submit your CV along with a cover letter. In your cover letter, we ask that you specifically address the following:

• What excites you most about the role?
• Outline your experience as it relates to the above mentioned criteria.

Our Benefits

We are proud of the range of benefits we can provide:

• Two premium level tickets to each home international game
• Sick pay scheme and family friendly leave
• Opportunities to work at international matches
• Company pension
• Life assurance
• Bike to work scheme
• Free onsite parking
• Employee assistance programs
• Hybrid working arrangements and flexible hours working arrangements
• Discounted access to the National Aquatic Centre and gym complex

Closing date for receipt of applications is close of business on Friday, 19th September 2025.

The Football Association of Ireland is an equal opportunities employer.