Full Time Permanent position
Hybrid role based in our City Centre offices

What we offer

We have embraced a hybrid working model for most of our positions, which means that you can enjoy a balanced approach of working from home for part of the week and working from the office for the remainder of the week.

We offer a comprehensive benefits package including competitive salaries and bonuses, robust Learning and Development support, excellent Defined Contribution pension and comprehensive Wellbeing initiatives and support to name but a few.

Further details on our benefits package can be accessed here Benefits (life-careers.com)

At Irish Life, our purpose is to help people build better futures. Our company values shape everything we do and underpin our vision of being the driving force behind Ireland’s financial, physical, and mental well-being.

We believe in doing the right thing—acting with integrity and making fair, responsible decisions. We aim high, setting ambitious goals and constantly find better ways to innovate and improve. Our customers are at the heart of everything we do, and we are dedicated to understanding their needs and exceeding their expectations. We believe that as a team we work best together, in a supportive, collaborative environment where every idea and contribution is valued.

Role Purpose and Scope

The purpose of the Head of Finance Transformation is to define, orchestrate and govern the enterprise Finance transformation roadmap for Irish Life Group.
The role is accountable for setting the future vision for Finance, prioritising initiatives, establishing delivery governance and tracking benefits realisation, in close partnership with the Group Financial Controller and Finance Leadership Team. Transformation initiatives will be delivered collaboratively, with Finance Leaders acting as business owners or executive sponsors for change within their respective areas.

Role Overview

The Head of Finance Transformation will play a pivotal leadership role in evolving the Finance Function to drive efficiency, digital enablement, automation and enhanced financial insight.
Working closely with the Finance Leadership Team and senior stakeholders across the Group, the role holder will ensure that Finance transformation initiatives are aligned to business priorities, delivered in a controlled and compliant manner, and embedded successfully into business as usual operations.

In addition, the role has responsibility for shaping and delivering the Finance people strategy, aligned to the Group People Strategy, supporting capability uplift, engagement and a high performance culture across the Finance Function.

Team Background

The Head of Finance Transformation reports to the Group Financial Controller for the Irish Life Group (ILG) and is a member of the Finance Leadership Team.

This is a newly created role to support delivery of the Better Futures strategy through the successful, coordinated transformation of the Finance Function, ensuring Finance continues to provide robust control, high quality insight and strong business partnership in a changing regulatory and commercial environment.

Operating Model

The role will operate through a hub and spoke model, with a small central Finance Transformation capability responsible for:

• Transformation standards and methodology
• Governance and reporting
• Roadmap management and prioritisation
• Change enablement and adoption

Delivery will be executed through existing Finance functions and business embedded teams, leveraging established centres of expertise (for example Management Information and analytics capabilities) rather than creating duplicate operational teams.

Any evolution of shared services, MI or operating models will be progressed in partnership with the Finance Leadership Team and subject to formal approval.

Key Accountabilities

• Partner with the CFO, Group Financial Controller and Finance Leadership Team to design and deliver a clear, prioritised Finance transformation roadmap aligned to Group strategy.
• Lead strategic Finance change initiatives that modernise processes, systems and ways of working, while supporting business and regulatory objectives.
• Establish and maintain appropriate governance, controls and oversight across all Finance transformation initiatives to ensure compliance with legal, regulatory, industry and internal policy requirements.
• Drive the Finance people strategy in collaboration with the ILG CFO and the Head of People & Culture for Finance, supporting capability development, engagement and culture change.
• Champion adoption of digital tools, automation, data and advanced analytics across the Finance Function.
• Provide leadership, direction and change support to Finance Leaders and colleagues to ensure successful delivery and sustained adoption of change.
• Track and communicate the impact and benefits of transformation initiatives, validating outcomes post implementation.
• Collaborate and influence at senior levels within ILG and across the wider Great West Lifeco organisation to drive positive outcomes.

Relationship with Risk, Compliance and Business Partners

The Head of Finance Transformation will work closely with Finance Risk and Compliance to ensure that transformation initiatives embed appropriate controls and risk management practices.

Finance Business Partners retain accountability for supporting their respective business areas; the role partners with them to ensure consistent capability, tools and ways of working across Finance.

Scope Across Finance and Other Functions

The primary scope of the role is the Finance Function. Where transformation initiatives require end to end process, data or systems change, the role will collaborate closely with Actuarial and other functions to ensure alignment and effective delivery.

Resources and Support

The Head of Finance Transformation will be supported by:

• A dedicated Finance Transformation team, sized in line with the approved roadmap
• Access to Finance subject matter experts across ILG
• External partners (e.g. technology, advisory and change specialists) where required

Resourcing and prioritisation will be agreed through the Finance planning and governance process.

Key Organisational Relationships

• Chief Executive, ILG
• Chief Financial Officer, ILG
• CFO – ILA and Deputy ILG CFO
• Head of People & Culture
• Finance Leadership Team and Finance Leaders across Business Units
• ILG Executive Team and key senior stakeholders
• Regulators and Board
• Great West Lifeco stakeholders across Finance, Risk, Actuarial, Legal and Tax
• External providers (e.g. auditors, tax advisors, technology and strategic partners)

What you will need to be successful in the role

What Success Looks Like

• A clearly articulated and agreed Finance transformation vision and roadmap
• Strong ownership of change by Finance Leaders, supported by effective governance
• Measurable improvements in efficiency, insight quality, control and colleague experience
• High adoption of new processes, systems and ways of working across Finance
• A more resilient, digitally enabled and future focused Finance Function

What You Will Need to Be Successful

• Proven track record leading large scale Finance transformation initiatives and delivering sustainable change
• Professional accountancy or actuarial qualification
• Strong understanding of the Irish regulatory environment (e.g. IFRS, Solvency II, data protection)
• Passion for people and experience driving engagement and capability initiatives
• Executive presence with exceptional communication and influencing skills
• Ability to balance commercial outcomes, risk appetite and regulatory requirements
• Flexibility, resilience and adaptability in a fast paced environment

Key Competencies

Strategy Based Capabilities
• Stakeholder Focus
• Drive Business Growth & Resilience
People Based Capabilities
• Developing High Performing Teams
• Building Collaborative Relationships
Performance Based Capabilities
• Deliver Performance & Value
• Lead the Way Forward
Risk, Control and Regulatory Environment
• Builds and sustains a strong risk and control culture within Finance

About us

Irish Life is one of Ireland’s largest financial institutions with a presence across a range of financial services markets. We are one of Ireland’s leading financial services groups with over 1.5 million customers. For over 80 years, we’ve been helping people to look after their life insurance, pension and investment needs, and more recently their health insurance.

It is a subsidiary of Great-West Lifeco and a member of the Power Financial Corporation group of companies.

We are proud of our culture of developing and supporting the growth and professional development of our people. The focus has resulted in a team of top talent with high standards, positioning us at the forefront of our industry.

The company reserves the right to draw up a shortlist as part of the selection process. Where Agency assistance is required the Irish Life Recruitment Team will engage directly with suppliers. Unsolicited CVs / profiles supplied to Irish Life by Recruitment Agencies will not be accepted for this role.

Irish Life is proud to be an Equal Opportunities employer. We have created an environment of inclusion and growth to help people achieve their potential, to ensure they can bring their whole selves to work and to feel valued. We celebrate diversity of thought and perspective and want all of our employees to feel valued, respected and supported.

We have built a culture that promotes equality and inclusion for all of our current and future employees and strive to ensure that our behaviours, processes and practices are aligned to this culture.

If you require any accommodations during the recruitment process please contact lifecareers@irishlife.ie and we will be delighted to ensure you are fully supported to be your best.

ILGL supports Equal Opportunity and is regulated by the Central Bank of Ireland.

Head of Finance Transformation - Group Solutions - Grade 14 - Permanent

Benefits

Job Description