Head of Finance | Job Description

Do you dream of working at the heart of elite rugby, supporting a legendary team on a world stage? Do you dream about working with a passionate, hardworking and friendly team?

We are the team behind the team, come and join us! Apply here

WHO WE ARE

The British & Irish Lions is an iconic sporting brand in the world of rugby. Every four years, the Lions – the best of the best selected from England, Ireland, Scotland, and Wales – travel to the southern hemisphere to take on Australia, New Zealand, or South Africa on landmark tours. The British & Irish Lions has announced the initial details of a historic inaugural Lions Women’s Tour with the best women’s players from England, Ireland, Scotland and Wales travelling to New Zealand to play the current world champions in 2027. The Lions foundations are strong, built upon 130 years of history and tradition with tours taking place regularly since 1888. The Lions is once in a lifetime experience for fans and leaves an enduring legacy wherever the team visit. Selection is the pinnacle of any eligible player’s career and an endorsement that you are amongst the very best in your position.

OUR PURPOSE

To unite and inspire through extraordinary rugby experiences.

OUR VISION

To be iconic, modern, and inclusive, at the pinnacle of sport while remaining true to our heritage.

OUR MISSION

To delivering the ultimate in rugby for players and fans, with real purpose for the game and the communities we engage.

OUR VALUES

Respect: we will always remain true to our heritage and the core values of the game but are determined to create a long-lasting future for the Lions and ensure it continues to thrive.

Unity: we are focused on our ambitions and will be united in our approach, guided by our strategy and vision.

Integrity: has been a hallmark of the Lions for 130 years. We must always do what is right, be humble, honest and trusting.

Friendship: togetherness, openness, camaraderie and creating new and lasting friendships is something we have become famous for. We must never lose sight of our ability to unite players, fans and countries through amazing experiences.

ROLE SUMMARY

A unique and outstanding opportunity to work as a central figure with one of the most famous teams in world sport. As a key member of the Senior Leadership Team, the Head of Finance will report to the Chief Financial Officer.

The Head of Finance will play a crucial role in financial control, planning and risk management as we come toward the 2025 Tour to Australia and get into planning for the inaugural Women’s Tour to NZ 2027. They will be responsible for budgeting, planning and reporting which assist in driving the organisations strategic objectives and annual priorities.

The successful candidate will work closely with the CFO, CEO and Executive team to align business objectives, identify opportunities, mitigate risks and be exposed to the breadth of work that flows across the entire organisation. They will also work closely with the other reports of the CFO, in the areas of HR and Strategy / Business Implementation.

This role is seen as a vital second in command to the CFO and requires someone with great initiative and passion for the role, who wants to own the functions of Finance and IT and work as a business partner to the rest of the functions within the business. There is great scope for development with working closely with an experienced CFO and the rest of the Executive team.

Immediate Start

  • Contract – Flexible to be Fixed Term or Permanent for the right candidate.
  • Location: The role will be based in the Lions HQ in Dublin 4. The role will be hybrid with occasional travel to the UK required.
  • Opportunity to gain invaluable experience supporting a legendary sporting brand on the world stage.
  • Work alongside an experienced Chief Financial Officer who has a proactive approach to wellbeing, training and development.
  • Be part of a passionate team dedicated to the success of the Lions and rugby more generally.

ROLES & RESPONSIBILITIES

Finance, Insurance and Payroll

  • Manage the annual audit for both BIL and any relevant Joint Ventures including the production of Financial Statements on a timely basis.
  • Manage monthly reporting, quarterly board reporting and annual forecasting processes.
  • Manage the Tour Budget and forecast throughout the Tour period.
  • Manage the payroll budget and keep it up to date at all times in conjunction with the HR team.
  • Process monthly payroll, for employees based in both the UK and Ireland, ensuring all tax obligations are managed.
  • Manage all tax related responsibilities of the business, to include monthly VAT, Corporate tax, payroll taxes etc.
  • Input into player contracts in relation to Finance and Tax requirements (particularly tax for playing overseas).
  • Manage relevant risk registers and act as administrator for scheduled Audit and Risk Committee meetings.
  • Manage the Monthly Executive Team meetings to include a review of the Annual Priorities, tracking of Strategic Projects, Deal Committee, Finance Review and Risk Register review amongst other items.
  • Ensure the business works in line with approved Delegation of Authority limits and ensure Deal papers submitted for Executive approval are complete and of a standard which allows a decision to be made.
  • Oversee banking for the business including cashflow forecasting, access to banking, relevant approvers and monthly payment runs.
  • Act as business partner with other functions in the business to manage their budgets and when they are considering new initiatives or speaking to new partners to ensure financial and tax implications are considered at the outset.
  • Manage the annual insurance renewals with our chosen insurance broker (Howden).

IT

  • Manage the outsourced IT provider Akita and look to ensure BIL receives a top level of service.
  • Ensure all new starters are given required equipment and set up on relevant systems in line with their role.
  • Work with other rugby ecosystem members to look for system improvements and efficiencies which may be available.
  • Act as gate keeper for the systems in use in BIL – addressing concerns from the business and assessing the suitability and cost effectiveness of proposed new systems.

Stakeholder Relationships

  • Develop strong relationships throughout the business and with other members of the rugby ecosystem to include Shareholders, Leagues, Clubs, Unions, Players and Partners.
  • Build strong relationships with relevant service providers including audit, tax, insurance and pensions.

Governance

  • Ensure the highest standards of corporate governance and risk management protocols are adhered to.
  • Develop relevant policies as needed and ensure compliance with those policies/mandates.

QUALIFICATIONS, EXPERIENCE AND SKILLS

Qualifications and Expertise

  • Must hold an accredited accountancy qualification. Qualified to at least degree level or equivalent.
  • Ideally have 5+ years’ experience in a finance department and must have experience post qualification preferable in a fast paced commercial enterprise.
  • A strong understanding of the position of BIL within the broader rugby eco-system.
  • Be able to manage multiple projects or workstreams concurrently.
  • Possess strong influencing skills and EQ.
  • Have high integrity and know how to handle highly sensitive information discreetly.
  • Will have very strong writing and communication skills and be able to prepare reports for and present at committee, executive and board meetings as required.
  • Ability to train and lead others with experience in management roles.
  • Willing to take ownership for and show strong initiative in a variety of areas within Finance and IT.
  • Strong time management and prioritisation skills.
  • Top levels of attention to detail with the ability to meet deadlines but keep work to a very high quality.
  • Will have strong analytical, numeracy and commercial understanding.
  • Proven skills in stakeholder management.
  • Must have the ability to pick systems up quickly and have excellent Microsoft Office skills including Excel, Word and PowerPoint.

Skills & Personal Attributes

  • Strong communication and presentation skills, recognising the important of continuous engagement and the ability to build relationships with a wide variety of stakeholders at all levels, many of whom have no financial background. A proven communicator with experience of dealing with sensitive and complex matters.
  • The ability to collaborate with and understand all areas of the business to contribute affectively to the finance function.
  • Always demonstrate the highest professional standards of operation and delivery, including working to tight deadlines.
  • Proactive with a drive to constantly develop and improve all aspects of the finance team, finance systems and the wider business.
  • Showing initiative and resilience, taking ownership of areas within the function and dealing well with uncertainty and change when they arise.
  • Committed, loyal and highly trustworthy and someone who demonstrates the values of the Lions.
  • Passion for the Lions and a general understanding of the Lions’ objectives and
  • Committed, loyal and highly Someone that acts with integrity, good judgement and sensitivity in high pressure situations
  • Committed to building collaborative working relationships with colleagues and an understanding of the importance of continuous engagement with stakeholders
  • Strong team ethic: able to effectively communicate, motivate and engage with widely differing individuals
  • The ability to adapt to a new team and company quickly, the confidence to ‘hit the ground running’ at a time when the Lions is so close to the Men’s Tour to Australia and getting into planning stages for the inaugural Women’s Tour to NZ.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

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