Head of Professional Accountancy

Job Title: Manager of Professional Accountancy Reporting to: Griffith College Director Location: Griffith College Dublin Job Type: Permanent, Full-Time Job Summary Griffith College was established in 1974, initially to provide excellent accounting training to students undertaking professional examinations with accountancy bodies such as ACA and ACCA. 52 years later, we are still a leading provider of ACCA programmes in Ireland. The Manager of Professional Accountancy at Griffith College is a senior role holder, who is responsible for the continued growth and development of the accountancy programme offerings. The role covers direct management of all part-time lecturers, support staff and on-line resources. The role also play a pivotal part in driving innovation, fostering industry partnerships, and ensuring Griffith College’s ACCA programmes are distinctive, future-focused, and aligned with the needs of learners and employers. Key Responsibilities Programme Leadership Provide overall management of the ACCA programmes, ensuring the highest standards of teaching, student support and examination success. Lead, motivate, and develop the professional accountancy team to achieve excellence in performance and innovation. Enhance administration, systems and processes within Professional Accountancy. Business Performance & Strategic Growth Take responsibility for the financial performance of the Professional Accountancy department, including budget management, cost control, revenue generation and growing the profitability. Develop strategies to increase learner recruitment, retention, and satisfaction. Identify and pursue growth opportunities through new market development. Benchmark Professional Accountancy against competitors to ensure it has clear, distinctive, and market-leading strengths. Innovation & Differentiation Develop and articulate a 2030 vision for Professional Accountancy, in the context of the College’s vision, mission and values and strategic plan. Identify and implement unique selling points (USPs) that make Professional Accountancy at Griffith College, the best in class nationally and internationally. Drive innovation in programme delivery, and learner engagement, ensuring it adapts to changing market and educational trends. Industry & External Engagement Build and strengthen relationships with professional bodies, industry partners, accountancy firms, and all employers, to ensure we maximise all opportunities. Continue to develop strong relationships with ACCA and be their ‘go-to educational partner’ for all new initiatives. Promote collaboration and engagement with employers to ensure Griffith is a first choice for accountancy students receiving company sponsorship. Promote ACCA opportunities to existing student groups in Griffith College and other institutions. Professional Body Governance and Compliance Lead ACCA Approved Learning Partner compliance (on all delivery modes), annual renewal, results service submissions, monitoring reviews, and implementation of any actions arising. Protect and strengthen Platinum status through subject planning, targeted performance interventions, preparing learners for exams, mock exams and roll out of digital learning platforms to support learners. Person Specification Qualifications Hold a professional Accountancy qualification or equivalent qualification in a relevant discipline. Experience Proven experience in programme management at a senior level. Demonstrated success in financial and business management, including growth and profitability. A history of building strong industry and external partnerships. Demonstrated capacity for innovation and strategic thinking. Skills & Competencies Strategic mindset with a proven ability to deliver change in line with the College strategy. Proven ability to inspire staff, part-time lecturers and learners. Strong business acumen and commercial awareness. Excellent communication, influencing, and relationship-building skills. High levels of initiative, creativity, and problem-solving ability. Commitment to learner-centred education. Contractual Terms The role is subject to a maximum 6 month probation period. The package structure will place significant emphasis on commission-based remuneration, designed to incentivise and reward substantial increases in performance metrics and market expansion. About Griffith College Griffith College is a welcoming, ambitious and people-focused institution where the quality of the working environment is shaped as much by the people as by the purpose. Across our campuses in Dublin, Cork and Limerick, colleagues work in supportive teams where professionalism, mutual respect and collaboration are part of everyday life. Founded in 1974, Griffith College is Ireland’s largest independent third-level institution, with a community of over 8,000 students across its campuses. The College delivers a broad range of undergraduate, postgraduate and professional programmes across disciplines including business, law, computing, journalism, design and pharmaceutical science. What sets Griffith apart is not only its commitment to high-quality education, but the culture that underpins it. Staff regularly speak about the strength of the relationships they build here, the trust between colleagues, the willingness to support one another, and the opportunity to contribute to an organisation that has meaningful impact on students from Ireland and internationally, working alongside people who genuinely care about what they do and who they work with. Our Vision ‘To be recognised among the leading, innovative and socially enterprising of Ireland’s universities” Why work for Griffith College? Competitive salary package Access to the College’s pension scheme Access to healthcare plans for employees and their families Enhanced maternity leave pay Flexible working arrangements, including the ability to work from home in line with the College’s remote working policy Access to ongoing Continuing Professional Development (CPD) programmes, up to Doctorate level Subsidised College programmes to support career development and upskilling. Opportunities for staff mobility through Erasmus+ and other international mobility programmes Mental Health and Wellbeing supports available Free weekly yoga classes Access to onsite fitness equipment Availability of green space on campus, accessible to staff for sports and recreational activities Cycle to Work scheme Vibrant, multidisciplinary and multicultural learning environment Inclusive and diverse community Innovative and agile place to work Welcoming environment committed to both learner and staff development Staff discounts and offers from a wide range of retailers and service providers Preferential accommodation rates during the summer period for staff, and for friends and family of staff at Griffith Rooms Year-round staff social and wellbeing events, including BBQs, coffee mornings, wellness talks, EDI events, and more Onsite subsidised restaurant Free parking facilities Staff Social Club with regular events This job description is not to be regarded as exclusive or exhaustive. It is intended as an outline of proposed areas of activity and will be amended in the light of the changing environment within the Faculty and the College. Griffith College is an equal opportunities employer. Candidates must be eligible to work full-time for any employer in Ireland.