Finance Director

4C Executive Search; Belfast City District; On-site; GBP 120,000 - 180,000; Full time

Job summary

Belfast Harbour is seeking an exceptional Finance Director to provide strategic financial leadership and oversight of capital planning, treasury, risk and governance. You will influence major investment decisions and support the organisation’s 2025-2050 horizons while partnering with the CEO, Board and stakeholders.

Reporting to the Chief Executive, you will lead a high-performing finance team and drive financial resilience, commercial agility and growth across NI’s principal port and regional

Qualifications

• ACA/ACCA/CIMA or equivalent with senior financial leadership experience.
• Strong track record in corporate finance, treasury, funding strategy and capital investment.
• Experience leading major capital projects or investments in infrastructure, ports or capital-intensive sectors.
• Credibility to influence Boards, executives and external stakeholders.
• Proven ability to lead high-performing finance, risk and governance teams.

Responsibilities

• Shape long-term financial, funding and investment strategies for Belfast Harbour.
• Lead corporate finance, treasury, financial planning, risk management and governance.
• Oversee capital allocation and investment appraisal.
• Provide strategic advice to the Board, CEO and Leadership Team.
• Build relationships with lenders, investors and partners and with government/regulators.
• Maintain financial strength and resilience to support growth and future opportunities.
• Report to CEO and contribute to Leadership Team on performance and strategy.

Skills

Executive leadership

Corporate finance

Treasury

Capital investment

Education

ACA/ACCA/CIMA

Job description

Help Deliver a £1.3 Billion Vision for Regional Prosperity

4C Executive Placement are proud to partner with Belfast Harbour in the appointment of a new Finance Director, a pivotal executive leadership role at an exciting period in the organisation’s history.

A cornerstone of the economy, Belfast Harbour is Northern Ireland’s principal port, handling around 70% of the region’s seaborne trade and facilitating almost £27 billion of trade each year. The trade enabled through Belfast Harbour contributes £8.8 billion in Gross Value Added to the regional economy and supports approximately 155,000 jobs across NI.

As an Independent Statutory Authority operating under the Trust Port model, Belfast Harbour is commercially independent, self-funded and receives no public funding. Every pound of post-tax profit is reinvested into the port, the estate and the communities it serves.

With annual turnover of £97.1 million and underlying profit before tax of £44.4 million, Belfast Harbour combines financial strength with a clear sense of purpose. The organisation is currently delivering a fully funded £313 million investment programme through its 2025-29 Strategy, ‘Advance Regional Prosperity’, and has set out a long-term vision for up to £1.3 billion of investment through its Masterplan 2025-2050, ‘Horizons of Opportunity’.

Looking ahead, changes in the legislative and operating environment may create additional opportunities to further accelerate investment and growth.

Belfast Harbour is therefore seeking a Finance Director who can combine robust financial stewardship with the strategic vision required to support the organisation’s next phase of development. There has rarely been a more significant moment to join Belfast Harbour. As NI navigates major opportunities in trade, renewable energy, place-making and economic growth, Belfast Harbour is uniquely positioned to help shape that future. The Finance Director will play a central role in ensuring the organisation has the financial strength, agility and ambition to turn that vision into reality.

This is a rare opportunity to help shape the future of one of the region’s most important economic institutions. Far more than a traditional finance leadership role, the position offers the chance to influence major investment decisions, support transformational development and help deliver long-term regional prosperity.

Reporting directly to the Chief Executive and as a key member of the Leadership Team, the Finance Director will help shape Belfast Harbour’s future at a time of significant investment, growth and transformation. The successful candidate will lead the organisation’s financial strategy, capital planning, treasury, risk and governance functions, ensuring Belfast Harbour remains financially resilient, commercially agile and well positioned to support its long-term ambitions.

Working closely with the Chief Executive, Board and Leadership Team, the Finance Director will provide strategic financial leadership to support major investment decisions, capital allocation and organisational performance. The role will also build strong relationships with financial institutions, investors, commercial partners and other key stakeholders.

As Belfast Harbour delivers the first horizon of its Masterplan and prepares for future opportunities, the Finance Director will play a central role in maintaining the organisation’s financial strength, supporting major investment decisions and ensuring Belfast Harbour is well positioned to capitalise on future opportunities as they emerge.

Key Responsibilities

• Shape Belfast Harbour’s long-term financial, funding and investment strategies.
• Provide the financial leadership and strategic stewardship required to support delivery of Belfast Harbour’s long-term £1.3 billion Masterplan, encompassing port infrastructure, trade growth, clean energy and advancing regional prosperity.
• Lead corporate finance, treasury, financial planning, risk management and governance activities.
• Provide strategic advice and recommendations to the Board, Chief Executive and Leadership Team.
• Ensure robust financial stewardship, investment appraisal and capital allocation across the organisation.
• Build and maintain strong relationships with lenders, financial institutions, investors, customers and commercial partners.
• Build trusted relationships with government, regulators and key stakeholders, providing financial insight to support Belfast Harbour’s long-term strategic objectives.
• Lead and develop high-performing finance, risk and governance teams.

About You

We are seeking an exceptional finance leader with the strategic vision, commercial judgement and executive presence to operate at the highest levels.You will bring:

• A professional accounting qualification (ACA, ACCA, CIMA or equivalent) and significant executive-level financial leadership experience.
• A strong track record in corporate finance, treasury, funding strategy and capital investment.
• Experience leading major capital projects or investment programmes within infrastructure, ports, transport, utilities, energy, property or similarly capital-intensive sectors.
• The credibility to influence Boards, executive teams and external stakeholders.
• Proven experience leading high-performing teams and driving organisational performance and change.

Please note the closing date for applications is 12 pm on Friday 18th September 2026.