Strategic Finance Director for Growth and Governance

Digital Manufacturing Ireland; Limerick; On-site; EUR 110,000 - 150,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive salary

Job summary

Digital Manufacturing Ireland (DMI) seeks an experienced Head of Finance to provide strategic financial leadership across finance, risk and procurement, reporting to the COO.

You will build and mentor the finance team, shape financial strategy, oversee budgeting and reporting, manage grant funding relationships with IDA Ireland, and ensure robust governance to sustain DMI's growth in the Irish manufacturing sector.

Qualifications

• Qualified accountant with senior finance leadership experience.
• Experience with governance, reporting to boards and executive committees.
• Knowledge of public sector funding, grants and procurement is desirable.

Responsibilities

• Lead the finance function, including strategy, planning, budgeting, forecasting and financial controls.
• Oversee governance, statutory obligations and financial reporting to the COO, Board and committees.
• Manage risk, procurement policies and funding relationships (including IDA Ireland).
• Develop and mentor the finance team, shaping capability to support growth.

Skills

Strategic leadership

Board reporting

Stakeholder management

Risk management

Procurement governance

Education

ACA/ACCA/CIMA

Job description

Digital Manufacturing Ireland (DMI) is an industry-led organisation supported by the Government of Ireland through IDA Ireland. Established in 2023, DMI supports Irish-based manufacturers in adopting digital technologies, accelerating innovation and strengthening competitiveness.

As DMI enters its next phase of growth, our strategy focuses on scaling our services, diversifying revenue and funding streams, and delivering greater impact across Irish manufacturing.

We are seeking an experienced Head of Finance to provide strategic financial leadership and ensure DMI has the financial governance, capability and direction to support its future ambitions.

Role Overview

Reporting to the COO, the Head of Finance is a senior leadership role responsible for providing strategic financial direction, oversight and assurance across DMI's finance, risk and procurement functions.

Working closely with the COO and wider leadership team, the successful candidate will play a key role in shaping financial strategy, supporting investment decisions, maintaining effective financial oversight and ensuring the organisation’s long-term financial sustainability.

The role will lead and develop the existing finance team, providing clear direction and accountability while ensuring that financial operations, reporting and controls are effectively managed by the finance and wider team.

We are looking for a commercially minded, forward-thinking finance leader who combines strong financial expertise with strategic judgement, excellent stakeholder management and the ability to support a growing organisation.

Key Responsibilities

Financial Strategy & Leadership

• Lead DMI's financial strategy, ensuring alignment with organisational priorities, growth ambitions and long-term sustainability.
• Provide strategic financial advice and commercial insight to the COO, leadership team and Board.
• Oversee multi-year financial planning, budgeting, forecasting and investment appraisal, ensuring robust analysis supports decision-making.
• Provide strategic oversight of revenue diversification, funding models and financial sustainability.
• Guide the financial approach to state funding, grant compliance and key funding relationships, including IDA Ireland.

Financial Governance & Board Reporting

• Provide financial leadership and direction across financial performance, management reporting, statutory obligations and internal financial controls.
• Work closely with the COO to ensure the Board and relevant committees receive timely, accurate and insightful financial reporting to support informed decision-making.
• Maintain an effective financial governance framework, ensuring appropriate accountability, controls and regulatory compliance.
• Lead financial engagement with the Board and relevant committees, providing strategic insights, advice and recommendations.
• Ensure appropriate audit arrangements and financial assurance processes are in place.
• Provide leadership and oversight of DMI's corporate risk management framework, ensuring key financial and organisational risks are identified, assessed and appropriately managed.
• Oversee procurement governance, ensuring appropriate policies, controls and compliance with applicable public procurement requirements.
• Ensure effective financial and procurement risk management supports organisational growth and value for money.

Finance Function Leadership & Development

• Lead, coach and develop the finance team establishing clear accountability and supporting professional development.
• Set the strategic direction for the finance function, ensuring the operating model, systems and capabilities evolve with organisational needs.
• Promote a culture of financial accountability, collaboration, continuous improvement and strong governance across DMI.

Qualifications & Experience

• Professionally qualified accountant (ACA, ACCA or CIMA) with significant senior finance leadership experience.
• Proven experience operating at Head of Finance, Finance Director or equivalent senior leadership level.
• Strong track record in financial strategy, business planning, governance and supporting executive and Board-level decision-making.
• Experience leading and developing finance teams, with the ability to delegate effectively and build organisational capability.
• Demonstrated commercial acumen and experience supporting growth, organisational change or financial transformation.
• Experience in risk management, financial governance and procurement oversight.
• Knowledge of state funding, grant compliance or public procurement requirements is highly desirable.
• Experience within a state-funded, semi-state, public sector or similarly governed organisation would be an advantage.
• Excellent communication, stakeholder management and leadership skills, with the ability to influence at executive and Board level.

Personal Attributes

• Strategic thinker with strong commercial judgement.
• Confident, credible and comfortable engaging at senior leadership and Board level.
• Collaborative people leader who empowers and develops others.
• Pragmatic, adaptable and comfortable working in a growing organisation.
• Proactive and solutions-focused, with a strong sense of accountability.

What DMI Offers

• A senior leadership role with significant influence on DMI's future growth and direction.
• The opportunity to shape financial strategy and develop a high-performing finance function.
• Direct engagement with the COO, executive leadership team and Board.
• A collaborative, innovative and purpose-driven working environment.
• Competitive salary and benefits package commensurate with experience.