Head of Finance - UK & Ireland 2028 Limited

Fixed Term Contract - April 2025 to Autumn 2028

The Tournament
Contested every four years, the UEFA European Championship has been showcasing the continent's top talent since its inception in 1960 and is the world's third largest sporting event.

UEFA EURO 2028 is taking place across the UK & Ireland where Europe's top 24 national teams will compete in a 31-day, 51 match tournament, attended by over 3 million spectators and with a global tv audience of upwards of 2 billion people

As one of the world's largest and highest-profile sporting events, UEFA EURO 2028 will attract the attention of the sporting and major event communities, the media, and the public at large across the UK&Ireland, Europe and the World. With its unique hosting model, the event promises to spread the impacts and benefits of the tournament across the nations and communities of the UK and Ireland.

The Organisation
UK & Ireland 2028 Limited has been set up as a new company to locally deliver several UEFA requirements for the tournament, working closely with UEFA, 9 Host Stadiums, 8 Host Cities and other key stakeholders.

The Role
The Head of Finance will lead and motivate a strong finance function working with the executive team to challenge, debate and deliver against tournament priorities – on time and in budget. The role will act as a guarantor of financial integrity and the driver of a value-for-money management style across the organisation.

What will you be doing?

• Manage a circa £250m budget and implement a rigorous financial reporting process that meets the conditions of UEFA and Government Partner funding agreements at the same time mitigating significant risk.
• Strive for financial excellence, ensuring that the financial platform is appropriate for the challenges facing the organisation, underpinned by highly effective systems and processes.
• Report to the Audit & Risk Committee on the integrity of financial statements, the implementation of robust internal controls, systems and policies, and the contract management of external and internal auditors.
• Procure circa £90m of goods and services maintaining financial integrity and maximising the value of return to all funding partners.
• Recruit and lead an inclusive team of 5 people creating a culture that allows team members to thrive and achieve objectives collectively.
• Work closely with the Head of HR to manage a resource plan that fits the needs of the organisation, stays in budget, and facilitates the timely recruitment of circa 200 roles to deliver tournament obligations.
• Execute additional tasks as required to meet changing priorities.
• Comply with all company policies and procedures to ensure the highest standards of health, safety and wellbeing can be maintained.

What are we looking for?

Essential Skills & Experience required

• Professional Accountancy Qualification
• Advising on financial decisions at senior levels
• Statutory accounting experience, either in a company or from audit background
• Managing significant Government contributions
• Senior leadership position
• Track record of managing all aspects of the finance function, including audit, tax, insurance and payroll
• Experience of financial reporting and forecasting, including full P&L ownership
• Strong relationships with bankers, auditors and stakeholders.
• Ability to communicate with non-financially orientated people
• Advanced Microsoft Office
• Advanced Reporting Writing skills
• Advanced communication skills

Why apply?
We offer a competitive salary (plus benefits of 25 days holiday, contributory pension, Private Medical Insurance etc), which coupled with the opportunity to be part of one of the biggest sporting events to ever take place across UK & Ireland we think makes for an exciting place to be!

Where is the role based?
Our head office is based at the iconic Wembley Stadium in London, however depending on your role you may be required to travel across the UK and Ireland to our 9 Stadiums and 8 Host Cities, with some roles being based in those locations.

As an event delivery organisation, it's important that we have regular time together in the office and currently employees come together at least 2 days a week at HQ in Wembley, with the number of days in HQ increasing as the project develops with a minimum of 3-4 days needed in 2026-2027 and full time in the year of 2028.

Everyone is welcome
UK & Ireland 2028 Limited actively promotes diversity and inclusion and welcome applications from everyone. We are proud to be an equal opportunities employer. If you have any particular requirements in respect of the recruitment or interview process, please mention this during your application.

As part of UK & Ireland 2028 Limited's commitment to ensuring a safe environment for everyone, every employee will be required to complete a DBS check. The level of the check required will be based on the activity of the specific job role and in line with legislation and government guidance.