Head of Investment Services

A. Details

Position: Head of Investment Services

Grade: Higher Executive Officer (HEO)

Whole time equivalent: Full-time 5 days per week

Reports to: Deputy Director

Duration: Permanent

Role Closing Date: 12 noon Wednesday 22nd of April 2026.

B. Department & Role Overview

The Arts Council is the Irish Governments agency for supporting and promoting the arts in Ireland. We work in partnership with artists arts organisations public policy makers and others to build a central place for the arts in Irish life.

This role is required to manage the daily work of the Investment Services Team.

In particular the incumbent in this role will lead out on manage and oversee our business end-to-end process management including any change processes of all our grant awards which is critical to the organisations internal functioning client relationship management and organisational reputation.

C. Key Responsibilities

As a Manager:-

• Drive the values vision and mission of the Arts Council;

• Actively contribute to the delivery of the Arts Councils strategic goals;

• Contribute to policy and strategy development across a range of areas.

• Strive to develop and implement ways of working effectively to meet objectives;

• Lead the team/project teams by example coaching and supporting individuals as required;

• Be flexible and willing to adapt positively contributing to the implementation of change;

• Take responsibility and be accountable for the delivery of agreed objectives;

• Successfully manage a range of different projects and work activities at the same time;

• Delegate work effectively providing clear information and evidence as to what is required;

• Practice and promote a strong focus on delivering high performance and service delivery;

• Contribute to strategic decision-making where required;

• Create and maintain collaborative internal and external relationships;

• Make clear and timely decisions on important issues as required.

As Head of Investment you will be responsible for:-

• Manage the operational delivery of the Arts Council current Funding/Investment Framework as it relates to the execution of funding processes;

• Support the implementation of the new to be designed Investment Framework;

• Managing the operational effectiveness of schemes/awards:-

  • Work with colleagues in Finance SDD ICT Comms and Arts Teams to manage the effectiveness of our schemes and awards

  • Analytically review/critique all schemes/awards on an on-going basis to ensure they are working consistently and efficiently

  • Provide clear advice and supports for the Arts Teams in terms of guidelines moderation assessment etc.

  • Work closely with Finance to ensure that an effective control environment is in place across the grant processing system

• Establish a funding governance process ensuring continuous improvement and coherence across funding programmes schemes and initiatives including multi-annual funding;

• Support the Content Governance Framework ensuring continuous improvement and coherence across funding programmes schemes and initiatives including multi-annual funding;

• Monitoring the implementation of the investment strategy;

• Lead out on the scheduling of the schemes and awards annually with particular focus on the logic of the timing to support arts development objectives;

• Set up processes and procedures to manage funding agreements as the basis of recurring relationships with arts organisations;

• Manage the staff of the Investment Services team (Pre and Post application and grant Payments);

• Manage the operational delivery of the Panel Process by continuously monitoring and reporting on activity;

• Manage Appeals Process- including Ombudsman queries;

• Manage Complaints Process;

• Provide data as necessary to the SDD to support reporting on application and award numbers and amounts;

• Co-ordinate with Communications on the creation and dissemination of award clinics for applicants.

Note: Arts Council roles and responsibilities are subject to change as per on-going and future organisational requirements and developments. Other duties appropriate to the grade that may be assigned from time to time

D. Skills Knowledge and Experiences

• Project management and resource planning;

• Controls design and implementation;

• Research techniques including quantitative and/or qualitative methodologies;

• Strong analysis and problem solving skills;

• Ability to communicate knowledge and experience clearly in person;

• Excellent verbal and written communication skills;

• Strong interpersonal skills;

• Strong facilitation skills;

• Excellent ICT systems user knowledge;

• Business process management experience and ability;

• Ability to work at all levels in an organisation and build relationships with multiple colleagues;

• Drive and patience;

• Organisation skills including time management and the ability to work under pressure and to deadlines;

• The desire and ability to manage people.

E. Qualifications

• The successful candidate will ideally be academically strong with at least a primary degree and preferably a post graduate or professional qualification in a relevant area.