Chief Financial Officer

About the Role

As Chief Financial Officer, you will play a pivotal role in shaping the future of Dublin Bus, providing strategic financial leadership across one of Ireland's most important public transport organisations. Reporting as a key member of the Executive Team, you will drive financial strategy, governance, performance and transformation, ensuring strong stewardship of public resources while supporting sustainable growth and service excellence. The role combines responsibility for finance and procurement, leading modernisation initiatives, enhancing data-driven decision-making, and partnering with the Board, Executive Team, Government stakeholders and the National Transport Authority to deliver Dublin Bus's long-term strategic and operational objectives.

Role and purpose

• Provide strategic financial leadership for Dublin Bus with a focus on leading the development of the organisation’s financial strategy and ensuring it is aligned with the Dublin Bus corporate strategy and long-term public transport priorities.
• Ensure strong financial stewardship and control through the maintenance and development of robust financial governance, strong internal controls, accurate financial reporting and the effective management of all financial transactions within Dublin Bus.
• Lead, develop and continue the modernisation of the finance function to provide high quality business partnering, technical excellence, efficient processes and strong financial capability across the organisation.
• Foster a culture of integrity, collaboration, continuous improvement and service orientation within the department.
• Ensure the department remains forward focused, through the sponsorship of the development of financial systems, data automation using agentic AI where appropriate, process improvement initiatives that enhance control, insight and efficiencies throughout the department
• Contribute to the continued success of Dublin Bus as a member of the Executive Team with a special focus on the development of the corporate strategy, overall organisational performance and enterprise wide, decision making.
• Lead and develop the procurement function within Dublin Bus to ensure it continues to deliver practice in relation to public procurement including ensuring value for money, attaining the required quality standards, and ensuring the delivery of compliant, transparent and efficient procurement practices throughout the organisation.
• Comply with all relevant Data Protection legislation
• Comply with all Quality, Environmental, Energy, Sustainability, Health and Safety policies and procedures
• Comply with Grievance Procedures, Dignity and Respect Policy, Disciplinary Procedures, and all other Dublin Bus policies
• Foster good relationships with all internal and external stakeholders including employees and relevant personnel within Dublin Bus, with Trade Unions, other departments of Dublin Bus and CIÉ Group of Companies, and with relevant external agencies and stakeholders such as the National Transport Authority and the Department of Transport.

Working relationships with

·      Dublin Bus Management and Executive Team

·      National Transport Authority (NTA)

·      Department of Transport (DOT)

·      Dublin City Council (DCC)

·      Other external stakeholders and agencies

·      CIÉ Group of Companies

·      All Dublin Bus Departments

Main areas of responsibility

Finance

• Production of all internal and external financial reports in respect of Dublin Bus including the production of the Annual Financial Statements, formal financial reporting requirements under the Direct Award Contract, periodic management accounts, and all financial reports required by Board.
• Oversee the production of the annual budget and the production of forecasts as required under the financial planning cycle.
• Provide the appropriate framework and oversight in relation to the appraisal of capital expenditure plans and ensure appropriate papers are presented to the Chief Executive and board as required.
•  Ensure all reporting in relation to financial performance is accurate, timely, and includes evidence-based recommendations as required for any key financial decisions.
• Liaise with CIE Group Finance and CIE Treasury Department in relation to all funding and liquidity issues.
• Ensure all relevant financial implications are properly considered in the context of all operational, commercial, customer service related and any other Dublin Bus decisions
• Champion sustainability and the achievement of the Dublin Bus climate action targets in the context of all financial planning.
• Act as principal financial advisor to the Board, the Audit Finance and Investment Committee and other board committees as required.
• Provide financial support and advice to the Chief Executive and overall Executive Team
• Identify Government, legislative and EU Directive changes that may impact the company.
• Ensure the monthly, quarterly and annual financial reporting cycles delivers the information necessary to monitor and manage the business.
• Promote the highest standards of ethics, compliance and public accountability with the department and within Dublin Bus as a whole.

Leadership

• Provide strategic direction and leadership to your teams fostering a culture of accountability, ownership, innovation, customer focus, and excellence.
• Develop a positive and inclusive working environment where all employees are treated with dignity and respect and where differences are respected accommodated and valued.
• Build and maintain trusted relationships with the Board, Government stakeholders, Chief Executive and wider Executive team.
• Develop departmental performance objectives, including resource planning, evaluate employee performance and provide ongoing feedback to employees on a regular basis to ensure high performance.
• Manage employee relations in accordance with company policy.

Competencies

The following competencies represent the set of knowledge; skills and abilities required for the position and are based on the job description of the Chief Financial Officer.

Strategic & Commercial – Evolving our vision for the future to achieve commercial success

• Develop and implement strategic plans tailored to the unique demands of a large-scale bus operation.
• Devises and implements strategies to drive revenue generation, optimise cost effectiveness, improve operational efficiency that contributes to the financial sustainability of Dublin Bus
• Acts as a strategic partner that anticipates changes in the environment and pivots strategy to align with the evolving needs of the organisation

Collaboration – Working together, caring together

• Acts as a role model of for good practice collaboration, teamwork across the organisation and motivates others to achieve shared goals
•  Networks and builds effective relationships with key stakeholders in the best interests of Dublin Bus both internally cross-functionally and externally
• Champions life-long learning, seeks constructive feedback, learns from others and creates an environment which gives people opportunities to contribute, learn and develop

Leadership – Responsibly leading the way forward

• Acts as a role model, inspires others through positive leadership behaviours
• Creates a coaching culture acting as a role model that coaches and mentors others in the organisation, encouraging learning, development and fresh thinking
• Takes ownership and responsibility for making complex, informed and brave decisions within the organisation

Results Focus – Taking ownership to get things done effectively and efficiently

• Maintains high performance levels under pressure and positively handles setbacks, disappointment, opposition and criticism
• Aligns activities of Function/Department to key strategic priorities of Dublin Bus and monitors progress on achieving long-term goals
• Prioritises operational efficiency along with optimising time and resources effectively focusing on distribution of workload to meet deadlines and performance targets

Other requirements

• Recognised accountancy qualification and current membership of a relevant professional body.
• Significant senior financial leadership experience in a large, complex organisation.
• Experience of working with Boards, Board Committees and executive leadership teams.
• Experience of leading high-performance teams and driving transformation, cost efficiencies, and systems improvements
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to interact effectively with stakeholders at all levels.
• Analytical and problem-solving abilities, with a strategic mindset and focus on continuous improvement.
• Flexibility and adaptability to work in a dynamic and fast-paced environment, with the ability to handle multiple priorities and deadlines.
• Willingness to work outside standard office hours as required.

The role profile outlines the role but is not an exhaustive list. The company reserves the right to modify the role profile at any time to reflect the evolving needs of the organisation.

How to Apply:

Please submit a comprehensive CV and cover letter outlining why you wish to be considered for the post and how you believe your skills, experience and values meet the requirements for the position. Applications close on Wednesday 15th July.