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Head of Finance

Head of Finance - Galway


We are delighted to partner with MKO who are recruiting for a Head of Finance in Galway. MKO is Ireland’s largest Planning, Ecology and Environmental consultancy. MKO’s team of over 200 experienced professionals deliver challenging and complex projects across ecology, planning, environmental science, and related disciplines.


You will be responsible for guiding long-term financial planning, supporting commercial decision-making, and ensuring the business has the financial structure and processes in place to scale efficiently.

In this vital role you will collaborate with senior leaders to embed robust financial practices and drive operational efficiency throughout MKO. You will showcase your proven experience in process optimisation.

You will proactively identify risks and opportunities, consistently aiming to enhance organisational value. Exceptional communication skills are required, as you convey complex financial information clearly to team members at all levels

 

What you’ll bring to MKO

Strategic Finance and Growth Enablement

  • Work closely with the Senior Management team to develop financial models, forecasts, and funding strategies that support and enable their growth objectives.
  • Provide strong financial input into new service lines, pricing strategies, and commercial models.
  • Actively challenge and shape strategic decisions based on sound financial logic and robust risk assessment.

Insight, Analysis and Commercial Decision Support

  • Deliver high-quality, forward-looking financial analysis and performance insights to support strategic and operational decision-making.
  • Establish and embed KPIs focused on utilisation, project margin, client profitability, and return on investment.
  • Lead commercial discipline in tendering, project pricing, and large contract negotiations.

Financial Oversight and Operational Excellence

  • Your experience will be vital in leading and optimising their core finance function.
  • Lead all aspects of financial management, including the monthly and annual close process, budgeting, forecasting, and internal controls.
  • Ensure the accuracy and timeliness of management accounts, board reports, and performance dashboards.
  • Build financial discipline across the business by simplifying financial data and enabling confident decision-making across all teams.
  • Champion best-in-class financial systems and processes, driving automation, efficiency, and increased productivity, wherever possible.

Cash Flow and Capital Management

  • Take full ownership of cash flow forecasting, scenario planning and working capital management.
  • Implement proactive debtor management and billing processes aligned with project cycles.
  • Maintain strong banking and financial institution relationships.

Team Leadership and Development

  • Lead, develop, and mentor the team, fostering a high-performance culture built on accountability, collaboration, and continuous improvement.
  • You will actively provide coaching, guidance, and career development support, ensuring their capability and capacity grow with the business.
  • Continually review the finance function to ensure its capacity and capability are fit-for-purpose to match the scale and complexity of the growing organisation.

Systems, Process and Efficiency

  • Champion best-in-class financial systems and processes, driving automation, efficiency and increased productivity wherever possible.
  • Streamline and automate processes to improve accuracy, reduce turnaround time, and free capacity for value-adding work.

Governance, Compliance and Risk

  • Ensure compliance with Revenue, CRO, and audit requirements, including liaising with external advisors.
  • Ensure risk management practices are fit for a growing professional services company and support effective board and governance processes.

Key Requirements:

Professional Qualification: ACA, ACCA, or CPA qualified with 10+ years' experience (with a minimum of 5 years in senior finance roles).

  • Extensive commercial awareness with demonstrated experience shaping financial strategy, driving commercial performance, and executing business strategies across multiple regions.
  • Proven experience shaping financial strategy, driving commercial performance, and building scalable models.
  • Demonstrated success in building, developing, and leading high-performing teams.
  • Proven experience in organisational development and strategic planning, coupled with expertise in process optimisation and company-wide change management.
  • Comfortable operating at board level and in a fast-paced, high-growth environment, confident in challenging and supporting the leadership team.
  • In-depth knowledge of accounting standards and reporting requirements, proficient in integrating IT platforms for accurate and timely financial data.
  • Ambitious and confident, adept at financial analysis, and a forward-thinking approach to risk management. Proven ability to deliver financial projects within tight timelines will be highly valued.
  • Strong communicator with project management expertise, driving company-wide change.

For a confidential discussion and more information on the role of Head of Finance in Galway, please contact Noeleen Stewart.

noeleen.stewart@collinsmcnicholas.ie

091-706712