Finance Director (Fractional)

About the role

This part-time/fractional role will provide senior financial leadership, oversight and guidance to ensure that Plan International Ireland’s financial management, reporting and governance meet the standards required by executive management, the Board and external stakeholders.

The role will work closely with the CEO and Senior Management Team to support sound financial decision-making, strengthen financial governance and enhance organisational sustainability.

Operating at a strategic and oversight level, the role will work through the finance function and organisational systems rather than direct operational delivery.

In addition, the role will contribute to the overall leadership of the organisation, working collectively to enhance the strategic success of Plan International Ireland through actions that support its values, culture and mission.

About Plan International Ireland

Plan International is an independent development and humanitarian organisation that advances children’s rights and equality for girls. We believe in the power and potential of every child but know this is often suppressed by poverty, violence, exclusion, and discrimination. And it is girls who are most affected.  

Working together with children, young people, supporters, and partners, we strive for a just world, tackling the root causes of the challenges girls and vulnerable children face. We support children’s rights from birth until they reach adulthood, and we enable children to prepare for and respond to crises and adversity. We drive changes in practice and policy at local, national, and global levels using our reach, experience, and knowledge.  

For over 85 years, we have rallied other determined optimists to transform the lives of all children in more than 80 countries.   We won’t stop until we are all equal.  

Key roles and responsibilities

1. Strategic and Operational Financial Leadership

• Act as a senior financial advisor to the CEO and Senior Management Team.

• Provide input into organisational strategy, financial sustainability and resource allocation.

• Support decision-making on funding models, cost base and financial risk.

• Advise on the financial implications of programme, fundraising and operational decisions.

2. Leadership and Oversight of the Finance Function

• Provide independent oversight, guidance and constructive challenge to the Finance Controllers.

• Act as a senior escalation point for complex financial, control or compliance issues.

• Support the ongoing development of capability within the finance team.

• Promote clarity of roles, responsibilities and accountability within the function.

3. Management Accounts Oversight

• Review monthly management accounts to ensure accuracy, completeness and clarity.

• Ensure appropriate comparators, variance analysis and forward-looking insights are included.

• Challenge assumptions and highlight emerging financial risks.

• Support the continuous improvement and formalisation of the management accounts process.

4. Board and Committee Reporting

• Review and provide feedback on financial, audit and risk materials prepared for the Finance Committee and Board.

• Ensure reporting is clear, consistent and aligned with governance expectations.

• Support the CEO and Chair, as required, in preparation for Finance Committee discussions.

• Ensure key financial risks, judgements and assumptions are clearly articulated.

5. Company Secretarial Oversight

• Oversee company secretarial processes to ensure compliance with statutory and regulatory requirements.

• Provide guidance on governance matters, including Board processes and filings.

• Ensure alignment between financial reporting and statutory obligations.

6. Governance, Systems and Risk Oversight

• Oversee the processes supporting statutory reporting, including audit readiness, annual accounts preparation, and Annual Report financial content.

• Provide oversight and challenge on organisational budgeting and financial performance, ensuring robust processes for budget development, monitoring, and variance analysis.

• Provide input into organisational risk management from a financial and control perspective.

• Advise on the financial and control implications of systems, data, and digital initiatives.

• Ensure that appropriate financial controls and governance frameworks are in place to support GDPR compliance, cyber security, and broader regulatory obligations. Provide oversight of operational systems (including ICT, procurement and administration).

Cross-Cutting Responsibilities

• Ensure that financial reporting and control frameworks meet required regulatory, audit and governance standards.

• Promote a culture of financial discipline, efficiency, transparency and accountability across the organisation.

• Contribute to organisational leadership aligned with Plan International Ireland’s values.

• Work collaboratively with colleagues in the development and delivery of organisational strategy.

Experience and Qualifications

• Senior finance leadership experience (Finance Director, CFO or equivalent).

• Strong understanding of financial governance in a charity / not-for-profit context, including SORP.

• Experience engaging with Boards and Finance Committees.

• Proven ability to operate at both strategic and oversight levels.

Skills and Competencies

• Strong financial judgement and analytical capability.

• Strategic planning capability.

• Ability to provide constructive challenge and influence senior stakeholders.

• Clear and effective communication skills.

• High level of integrity and commitment to good governance.

• Collaborative leadership style.