Principal Officer - Head of Finance

The Department of Transport is recruiting for ‘Principal Officer - Head of Finance’ to fill a senior leadership role in a distinguished government department with a strong, engaging work culture.

Our Department’s mission is to deliver an accessible, efficient, safe, and sustainable transport system that supports communities, households, and businesses. 

This is an excellent opportunity for the right individual for this senior leadership position within the Corporate function of the Department of Transport. As a key member of the Corporate senior management team, the Head of Finance plays a pivotal role in driving and supporting the Department’s strategic goals.

Individuals with relevant expertise and experience are invited to apply. This is a permanent position based in our Dublin office, Leeson Lane, Dublin 2.

The principal duties are as follows:

• Overseeing the management of the annual budget to optimise the Department’s financial performance and ensure that the allocated resources are managed in accordance with Government Financial Procedures and Guidelines and recognised accounting standards;
• Leadership of the Estimates process including preparing the annual Estimates submission and oversight of the Department expenditure;
• Leadership of the financial management team in respect of the Department’s annual voted allocation from the Exchequer;
• Engagement with key external stakeholders including the Office of Comptroller and Auditor General and the Department of Public Expenditure, Infrastructure, Public Service Reform and Digitalisation on the management of the Department’s Vote and the annual Estimates campaign;
• Ensuring that all statutory and other requirements regarding the preparation of the Appropriation Account are adhered to;
• Reporting regularly to the Secretary General and the Management Board on all budgetary matters;
• Supporting the Secretary General in his role as Accounting Officer and in appearances before the Oireachtas Public Accounts Committee;
• Supporting the Minister at appearances before the Oireachtas Transport Committee;
• Ensuring that an appropriate assurance framework for the Department is in place with an adequate system of internal financial control; Production of relevant and timely reports and analysis of risk-related issues;
• Ensuring compliance with public financial procedures, the Public Spending Code and other accounting, and reporting requirements;
• Provide advice across the Department on financial management and audit issues;
• Liaise with the Head of Internal Audit, Audit Committee, Risk Committee and the Governance functions;
• Review updates to the Climate Action mandate and update the departmental Climate Action Roadmap as required;
• Monitor Energy Consumption across all energy use areas;
• Continue to ensure energy management system is sufficient to achieve recertification in ISO50001;

Entry requirements:

Applicants should have all the attributes required of a Head of Finance and, in particular, must demonstrate, by reference to specific achievements in their career to date etc., that they possess the qualities, skills and knowledge required for the role of Head of Finance as identified by the Public Appointments Service (PAS) in its Principal Officer and equivalent competency framework and the following requirements as set out in Appendix B.

Essential

Candidates must have on or before Monday, 22^nd September 2025:

• Substantial experience in budget management and financial reporting in a large organisation, preferably in the civil service or public sector;
• Experience of public-sector accounting principles and financial management practices;
• A strong familiarity with the annual government Estimates process;
• Ability to engage, negotiate and influence senior stakeholders;
• Excellent written and presentation skills

Desirable

•  Full membership or eligibility for full membership (i.e. final exams have been passed) of a prescribed accountancy body supervised by the Irish Auditing and Accounting Supervisory  Authority (IAASA);
• Senior leadership experience, leading a complex function.
• Experience using financial management accounting software, and advanced knowledge of the Microsoft Office suite.