Chief Executive Officer

The Chief Executive and Accounting Officer (CEO) serves as the Office’s most senior executive and its chief steward of financial integrity. This role will provide the strategic vision to advance identity, inclusion, and cultural expression across our community while ensuring rigorous financial management, transparent reporting, and compliant operations. The CEO partners with the Director and the Board to deliver on its strategic objectives, long-term sustainability, and an inclusive organisational culture.

Develop and execute a multiyear strategy that advances identity, belonging, and cultural expression while meeting measurable impact, equity, and growth goals.

Translate strategy into annual business plans, budgets, and KPIs; regularly report progress to the Board, the Executive Office and stakeholders.

Serve as a visible ambassador for the Office; cultivate partnerships with key stakeholders, community organisations, cultural institutions, public authorities and other relevant government bodies.

Act as the Accounting Officer with ultimate responsibility for the integrity of financial statements, internal controls, and compliance with applicable standards (e.g., GAAP/IFRS), Managing Public Money NI and Audit requirements.

Oversee internal control frameworks, risk registers, and policies (procurement, expense, conflicts of interest, data privacy – not exhaustive).Lead the annual external audit (NIAO); coordinate with Audit and Risk Committee and ensure timely and accurate completion with relevant disclosures.

Deliver the full finance cycle: budgeting, forecasting, cash management, capital planning, and scenario modelling.

Produce monthly management accounts and dashboards; provide insights on variances where applicable.

Maximise resource allocation c £1m per annum to achieve KPIs and ensure sustainability; drive cost discipline without compromising program quality.

Oversee program design and delivery across cultural programming, events, education, and community engagement; ensure activities align with strategic priorities and are evaluated for outcomes and inclusion.

Lead Operations/HR to attract, develop, and retain a diverse, high-performing team; foster a psychologically safe workplace and coach leaders.

Establish data, technology, and knowledge management practices that improve accessibility, efficiency, and decision-making whilst complying with all relevant legislation.

Build strategic partnerships with academic departments, student groups, and external cultural organisations to extend reach and co-create programs.

Represent the Office at convenings, media opportunities, and stakeholder forums.

Model inclusive leadership; embed equity principles in strategy, recruitment, procurement, communications, and program evaluation.

Promote community voice in all of the Office’s work programme and in planning and evaluations.

A minimum of 5 years’ senior management experience in the private, public or voluntary sectors requiring the management of resources, both human and financial, together with the application of current best practice in relation to governance, accountability, business planning, risk management, audit and financial management.

A minimum of 5 years’ senior management experience in the private, public or voluntary sector providing detailed policy advice and/or proposals on strategic issues concerning the sector with which an individual is working.

Significant experience working within the arts, culture, heritage, creative industries or cultural policy sectors with a…