Chief Executive Officer

We at Balmer Dawson are seeking an experienced, values-led Chief Executive Officer to lead NOVAS and build on its established work across housing, health and recovery. This is a significant leadership opportunity for an individual who combines strong strategic and organisational leadership with financial acumen and the ability to build trusted relationships across a complex stakeholder environment.

Reporting to the Board of Directors, the CEO will provide overall leadership for Novas, ensuring the continued delivery of high-quality services, strong governance and organisational sustainability, while representing Novas with funders, government agencies, regulators, sector partners and the wider community.

 THE ROLE

The CEO will have overall responsibility for the effective leadership and management of Novas and for translating the organisation’s vision, mission, values and strategic priorities into sustainable delivery and impact.

The successful candidate will bring a confident but collaborative leadership style, working closely with the Board and Senior Management Team while creating a culture in which people are supported, accountable and empowered to deliver excellent work.

KEY ACCOUNTABILITIES

Strategic Leadership & Governance

• Work in close partnership with the Board to shape and deliver Novas’s strategic direction, ensuring that strategic priorities are translated into clear operational plans and measurable outcomes.
• Maintain a strong, constructive and transparent relationship with the Board, ensuring that significant opportunities, risks and emerging issues are communicated appropriately and at an early stage.
• Promote and embed high standards of governance, accountability, quality and regulatory compliance across the organisation.
• Act as a custodian of Novas’s mission, values and reputation, ensuring they inform decision-making at every level.

Organisational & People Leadership

• Lead, motivate and develop the Senior Management Team and wider workforce, creating a high-performing, collaborative and inclusive culture.
• Build strong relationships across the organisation and understand the different perspectives, personalities and professional disciplines within a complex team.
• Bring strong emotional intelligence and sound judgement to people leadership, including the confidence to address difficult issues when required.
• Ensure effective communication, performance management, talent development, succession planning and professional development across the organisation.
• Build on Novas’s existing culture, ensuring that people feel valued, supported and clear about their responsibilities and contribution.
• Ensure effective people policies and practices across recruitment, development, performance, succession, training and wellbeing, fostering a culture of equality, inclusion and opportunity.

Service Delivery, Quality & Housing

• Ensure that Novas’s services are high quality, effective, responsive and aligned with the needs and rights of clients and tenants.
• Promote meaningful communication, participation and engagement with clients, tenants and staff, ensuring that their perspectives inform service development and organisational decision-making.
• Maintain strong oversight of operational performance, quality assurance, KPIs and outcomes.
• Ensure Novas continues to meet the needs of people experiencing homelessness and social exclusion while maintaining its responsibilities as a social landlord.
• Provide overall oversight of the development, management and estate management of Novas’s housing portfolio, ensuring that the organisation fulfils its responsibilities as a responsible social landlord.
• Use evidence, data and performance information to support continuous improvement and informed decision-making.
• Ensure that operational plans across Novas’s services are effectively implemented, monitored and evaluated, with appropriate performance measures and accountability in place.

Financial Sustainability & Resource Management

• Take overall responsibility for the financial stewardship, sustainability and effective management of Novas’s finances and assets, ensuring that appropriate financial and fiduciary standards are maintained.
• Work closely with the Head of Finance and relevant Board committees to oversee the development of annual budgets, financial plans, management information and reporting, ensuring the Board has clear and timely information to support effective decision-making.
• Ensure strong financial controls, sound financial management and effective use of organisational resources, including appropriate systems for financial reporting, monitoring and accountability.
• Oversee the timely preparation of statutory and annual audited accounts, working closely with the Head of Finance, auditors and the Board, and ensuring that Novas meets all relevant regulatory and reporting requirements.
• Bring sound financial judgement and a strong understanding of financial sustainability, with the ability to assess the financial implications of decisions, identify risks and opportunities, and maintain a clear focus on the organisation’s long-term sustainability.
• Develop and maintain strong relationships with statutory funders, government agencies, philanthropic donors and other funding partners, ensuring that funding requirements, reporting obligations and agreed conditions are met to the required standards.
• Support the development of sustainable income and funding opportunities, identifying and developing appropriate additional sources of funding to support Novas’s work, development and long-term sustainability.
• Ensure that fundraising and income-generation activities reflect Novas’s values and objectives, are undertaken ethically and appropriately, and protect the organisation’s reputation.
• Ensure appropriate financial and information systems are in place, with due regard to data protection, effective reporting, risk management and the needs of the organisation as it develops.

External Relations, Advocacy & Representation

• Act as a senior ambassador and principal spokesperson for Novas, protecting and enhancing its reputation and profile.
• Develop trusted relationships with government departments, statutory agencies, regulators, funders, sector bodies, community partners and other stakeholders.
• Represent Novas at sector forums, conferences, networks, report launches and other relevant public and professional events.
• Understand the wider housing, homelessness, health and social-inclusion landscape and position Novas effectively within it.
• Support Novas’s advocacy and communications activity and ensure its voice is heard appropriately in relevant policy and sector discussions.

Organisational Development, Risk & Compliance

• Ensure appropriate systems, information and technology support effective service delivery, decision-making and organisational management.
• Maintain appropriate oversight of risk, safeguarding, health and safety, data protection and other organisational responsibilities.
• Ensure policies and procedures are implemented consistently and reviewed as the organisation evolves.
• Remain informed about developments in the sector, relevant legislation, regulation and emerging best practice.

THE PERSON

Novas is looking for a senior leader who combines strategic perspective with a strong human focus. The successful candidate will be comfortable leading through complexity and change, while remaining grounded in the organisation’s purpose and values.

Essential Experience & Capability

• Substantial senior leadership experience, ideally as a CEO, Director, Executive Director or equivalent in a complex organisation.
• Demonstrable experience of leading and developing senior teams and creating a positive, accountable organisational culture.
• Strong experience of working effectively with a Board and understanding the distinction between governance and executive management.
• Strong financial acumen and judgement, with the ability to understand budgets, manage resources effectively and maintain a clear focus on the organisation’s long-term financial sustainability.
• Experience of operating within a regulated, publicly funded, voluntary, public-service or similarly accountable environment.
• A strong understanding of organisational governance, risk, compliance and quality.
• Experience of developing and maintaining relationships with government, statutory funders, regulators and other senior stakeholders.
• Excellent communication and influencing skills, with the credibility and confidence to represent an organisation externally.
• A track record of translating strategy into effective delivery through people, systems and organisational leadership.
• A genuine commitment to social justice, inclusion, dignity and the rights of people who may be experiencing disadvantage or exclusion.

Leadership Qualities

• Emotionally intelligent, empathetic and self-aware.
• Visible, approachable and collaborative, while being willing to make difficult decisions.
• Calm and credible in complex or challenging situations.
• Able to build trust quickly and bring people with them.
• Strategic in outlook, but sufficiently operational to understand how plans translate into day-to-day delivery.
• Politically and organisationally astute, with strong judgement and discretion.
• Resilient, adaptable and comfortable working across multiple locations and stakeholder groups.
• Authentically values-led, with the ability to balance purpose with accountability, financial sustainability and regulatory requirements.

LOCATION & WORKING ARRANGEMENTS

The role is based at Novas’s head office in Limerick. A strong physical presence in Limerick is important, particularly during the first year as the successful candidate builds relationships, understands the organisation and establishes themselves across the wider stakeholder network.

The role also involves regular travel to Dublin and other locations as required. Novas has significant activity in Dublin and the CEO will need to engage with funders, sector networks, government and other stakeholders there. Travel throughout Ireland may also be required in connection with Novas’s services and external representation.

TERMS & BENEFITS

Salary                                                €95,000+ depending on experience and suitability.

Hours                                                Full-time, Monday to Friday (35-hour week)

Annual Leave                                  26 days’ annual leave per annum, plus statutory/public holidays

Pension                                            Matching employer contribution of up to 2% from commencement, increasing to up to 5% following successful completion of probation, and up to 10% after five years’ continuous service

Travel & Expenses                         Travel and subsistence expenses necessarily incurred are reimbursed

Bike to Work                                    Bike to Work scheme

Education Support                        Up to €1500 per year

Probation Period                            6 months

WHY JOIN NOVAS?

This is an opportunity to lead an organisation with a clear social purpose, a substantial operational footprint and an established reputation across the housing, homelessness, health and recovery sectors.

• Lead an organisation with approximately 300 employees and an annual budget of €18 million.
• Shape the next phase of Novas’s strategic and organisational development.
• Work closely with an engaged Board and experienced management team.
• Influence services, housing, advocacy and policy at a time when the challenges facing people experiencing homelessness and social exclusion remain significant.
• Build strong relationships across government, statutory, philanthropic and sector networks.
• Make a tangible contribution to the lives of people and communities across Ireland.