Category: Vacancies

Head of Finance and Operations

The Irish Environmental Network (IEN) was established in 2001 as an umbrella group to represent and support a network of environmental non-governmental organisations working throughout the Republic of Ireland. Our members comprise voluntary groups that fulfil a nationwide remit and focus on a broad range of environmental issues, including:

• Direct conservation and restoration projects
• Sustainable living
• Circular economy
• Transport
• Renewable energy
• Environmental education
• Heritage conservation
• Sustainable agriculture and land use
• Regenerative and sustainable practices
• Marine and freshwater conservation and protection
• Animal welfare and protection
• Planning, the built environment, and well-being
• Sustainable economy

Our mission is to facilitate our members in working individually and jointly to protect and enhance the environment and to promote the interlinked principles of environmental, social, and economic sustainability. We provide support to our members in a range of ways, including opportunities for collaboration and connection, direct and indirect funding, communicating their efforts, and ensuring our Board meets their fiduciary responsibility to protect the IEN through effective governance, integrity, and accountability.

About Your New Job

As the Head of Finance and Operations, you will manage the overall operations of the IEN, including finance, office management, human resources, and governance. This is a senior role within the organisation, bringing together strategic leadership with hands-on financial planning, management, and operations oversight. You will directly manage a small team, with a wide-ranging impact across the organisation, team, and Network of members.

Key Responsibilities:

Finance:

• Oversee all financial management, including budgeting, forecasting, and reporting.
• Lead financial planning and budgeting processes.
• Support decision-making with financial analysis and reporting.
• Assist with funding proposals and ensure accurate, timely reporting to funders.
• Prepare and review annual budgets, cash flow forecasts, and long-term financial plans.
• Ensure compliance with financial regulations and best practices.

Leadership and Strategy:

• Work closely with the CEO and Board to shape and execute the IEN’s long-term strategic plans.
• Represent the organisation externally with partners, funders, and in public forums.
• Provide strategic and operational guidance to the CEO and Board.
• Support the development of new projects, programmes, and funding models.

Governance and Compliance:

• Ensure IEN operates within the law in all its activities.
• Serve as Secretary to the Finance Sub-Committee of the Board of Directors.
• Oversee the organisation of the Annual General Meeting.
• Ensure compliance with the Governance Compliance Code.
• Liaise with auditors to ensure annual audits are completed on time and on budget.

Operations:

• Assist the CEO in providing a legal, safe, and healthy working environment.
• Oversee day-to-day operations, including office administration, HR functions, IT, and logistics.
• Manage relationships with external suppliers and landlords.

Human Resources:

• Fulfil direct line management duties.
• Ensure staff members are aware of health, safety, and well-being policies.
• Support the CEO in annual workplan delivery, monitoring, and evaluation.

What Skills You Need

• Proven track record in financial management and operations.
• Strong strategic and operational guidance skills.
• Knowledge of financial regulations and governance.
• Excellent communication and leadership abilities.

What’s on Offer

• Competitive salary commensurate with experience.
• Opportunities for professional growth and leadership.
• Contribute to impactful work in environmental sustainability and advocacy.

The IEN is an equal opportunities employer. We celebrate diversity and are committed to building an inclusive and supportive environment for all employees. This Job Description is not exhaustive and may change from time to time in line with the needs of the Company, as set out by the CEO. 

Please note that the closing date for applications is 11^th December 2025 at 17.00.

This vacancy is being managed by our recruitment partner, Sigmar Recruitment. Applications need to be made to Sam Breckon (sbreckon@sigmar.ie) before the closing date.

Position Re-advertisement 

Finance and Reporting Assistant 

Location: The Macro Building, 1 Green St, Dublin 7 (Office-based/Hybrid options)
Organisation: Irish Environmental Network (IEN)

Contract:  Part-time 3-year Contract: 4 days per week (28 hours)
Salary Band: €29,115-€36,576 (Pro Rata)

Reporting to: Fair Seas Campaign Coordinator

About the IEN

The IEN is a network of national environmental non-governmental organisations (eNGOs) that work to protect and enhance the environment and to place environmental issues centre stage in Ireland and internationally. You will work in a small, energetic team to advance the interlinked aims of environmental, economic and social sustainability.

Overview of the role

The Finance and Reporting Assistant will play a crucial role in supporting the following processes: financial planning; monitoring expenditure; budgeting; issuing payments and updating our internal financial systems. Responsibilities will also include assisting with  financial reporting.

This role will sit within the Fair Seas project team. The majority of working hours will be allocated to the Fair Seas project, while other IEN projects and initiatives will also be supported by the role.

You will have a background in finance/administration, with 2+ years of work experience.

About Fair Seas 

Fair Seas is a group of Ireland’s leading environmental non-governmental organisations and networks seeking to protect, conserve and restore Ireland’s unique marine environment. Our ambition is to see Ireland become a world leader in marine protection, giving our species, habitats and coastal communities the opportunity to thrive.

Fair Seas partners include Birdwatch Ireland, Coastwatch, StreamScapes, Irish Environmental Network, Irish Whale and Dolphin Group, Irish Wildlife Trust and Sustainable Water Network.

Qualifications and Skills:

Education: A degree or diploma in business administration/relevant field, or equivalent work experience.

Skills required:

• Excellent organisational and multitasking abilities, with attention to detail

• Experience using financial management packages, e.g. Sage or similar

• Strong communication skills, both written and verbal

• Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel, PowerPoint)

Desirable skills and experience:

• Experience in preparing financial reports

• Some experience in working within a network, event planning or administrative support is beneficial but not required.

What We Offer

This role offers the opportunity to join a dynamic organisation and to work with a diverse coalition of leading Irish eNGOs. The role may office-based in Dublin or hybrid. Attending in-person events and meetings will be expected.

Other benefits include:

• A 5% employers’ matched contribution to a company contributory pension scheme

• Generous annual leave of 25 days

• Further Education / Training opportunities

• Time off in Lieu (TOIL) policy

• Travel (bike-to-work schemes/tax saver commuter tickets)

• The IEN offices are located centrally in Dublin 7, close to lively Capel Street and only 5 minutes from the Luas

See full job description here: Finance and Reporting Assistant_Job Description.

The IEN is an equal opportunities employer. We celebrate diversity and are committed to building an inclusive and supportive environment for all employees.

To Apply:

Please send your CV and covering letter by email to: jobs@ien.ie

Deadline for applications: 5 PM Wednesday, 4th June 2025.