Position: Head of Finance & Operations

Category: Part-time employment. An initial one-year employment contract will be offered with the possibility for renewal depending on performance and project needs.

Location: Nicosia, Cyprus

Application Deadline: 10/05/2024

No. Of Positions: 1

The Centre is seeking an experienced Head of Finance & Operations to join its strong team of passionate and enthusiastic professionals. In this pivotal role, reporting directly to the General Director, the job holder will take on the responsibility of optimizing and overseeing the Centre’s operational activities, maintaining the smooth operation of the Centre on time and on budget, while ensuring that all standards and policies are adhered to.

The ideal candidate will need to be experienced in all facets of operations and finance, including management accounting and financial reporting and project management, along with knowledge of regulatory compliance, governance, and organizational management.

Main Responsibilities

1. Manages the annual budgeting process and secures necessary approvals from the General Director, ensuring effective financial planning in line with the Centre's KPIs and sustainability plan.
2. Manages the daily activities across the operational functions of the Centre that involve Finance, IT, Procurement and Facilities, by organizing, leading, delegating, and managing performance.
3. Supervises and monitors the Center’s financial performance versus time and money budgets and provides regular updates to the GD.
4. Strategic collaboration with the GD to develop and execute a self-sustainable financial plan for the Centre, overseeing the financial implementation and contributing to the strategic formulation of the sustainability plan.
5. Responsible for regulatory compliance, ensuring operational transparency and all necessary governance requirements.
6. Reports on operational performance and works with the Centre’s HR Manager to suggest and implement improvements that promote flexibility and workplace innovation and ensure that teams work seamlessly and united to deliver agreed KPIs.
7. Collaborates closely with Project Coordinator and Research Office to oversee the reporting requirements for the various funders of the Centre’s active national and EU grants.

Qualifications, Experience, Skills and Knowledge:

1. University Degree (Bachelor’s Degree or Degree of a level equivalent to Bachelor’s Degree) or Diploma or Certificate or other study title or qualifications in business, economics, STEM or relevant field.
2. Postgraduate qualifications will be an advantage.
3. Professional qualification in financial and/or management accounting (e.g., ACA, CPA, CFA, CIMA, etc.) will be highly desirable.
4. Project Management qualifications and experience will be considered an advantage.
5. A minimum of 15 years of proven experience as a Senior Operations Manager, or similar role in a dynamic, fast paced, and complex environment. Experience in a research and innovation environment (such as University, Research Center, VC, startups) will be considered an advantage.
6. Demonstrable experience of effective budgetary management and control with ownership of Profit and Loss, financial and reporting responsibilities.
7. Knowledge of EU and local legal system and relevant regulations relating to the activities of the Centre.
8. Familiarity with business functions; Finance, IT, Procurement and Facilities.
9. Exposure to EU funding and reporting will be considered an advantage.
10. Exceptionally strong intra and extra XLoB (cross line of business) communication skills required to build the future state of the Centre using impact networks.
11. Deep understanding of significant aspects of technologies, business models, corporate governance, and regulations relevant for the Centre’s focus areas.
12. Language requirements: Excellent written and oral English-language skills will be required.

Profile of ideal candidate:

1. Self-motivated with the ability to take initiative and work independently.  
2. Strong organizational, communication, presentation, and negotiation skills, having the ability to deal confidently and politely with enquiries.
3. Very good analytical skills coupled with attention to detail.  
4. Dynamic, adaptable, hands-on and results driven.
5. A team player with an ability to work independently and under pressure. 
6. High levels of commitment, energy, and drive.
7. ​Excellent communication and interpersonal skills.

Benefits

Take advantage of this opportunity for your professional and personal development by being a part of our fast- growing Research and Innovation Centre of Excellence. A very attractive remuneration package will be offered to the successful candidate according to qualifications and experience.

Application process

For full consideration, interested applicants should submit the following items via the “Application for Head of Operations & Finance ”:

1. Full CV (including contact details).
2. Cover letter which clearly states: (a) how you envision your role, (b) how your experience and qualifications match the specific position, and (c) the availability date (d) contact details of two referees. 

Incomplete applications will not be accepted.

In case you previously applied for a post at CYENS CoE, a new application is required.

For general enquiries, applicants may contact the HR Department of CYENS, Centre of Excellence at vacancies@cyens.org.cy .

About CYENS CoE

 CYENS Centre of Excellence is focusing on Interactive media, Smart systems and Emerging technologies aiming to empower knowledge and technology transfer in Cyprus and wider region. It is a joint venture between the three public universities of Cyprus: the University of Cyprus, the Cyprus University of Technology, and the Open University of Cyprus, the Municipality of Nicosia, and two renowned international partners, the Max Planck Institute for Informatics, Germany, and, the University College London, United Kingdom. This project has received funding from the European Union’s Horizon 2020 research and innovation programme H2020-WIDESPREAD-01-2016-2017 (Teaming Phase 2) under grant agreement No. 739578, as well as from the Cypriot Government, local and international partners, and other sponsors. 

  
Research in CYENS integrates the Visual Sciences, Human Factors & Design, and Communications & Artificial Intelligence, in a tight synergy that provides a unique interdisciplinary research perspective that emphasizes an “Inspired by Humans, Designed for Humans” philosophy. The Centre conducts excellent, internationally competitive scientific research delivered by 18 high-caliber multidisciplinary research teams. CYENS engages in knowledge transfer and innovation activities aiming to act as an integrator of academic research and industrial innovation, towards the sustainable fueling of the scientific, technological, and economic growth of Cyprus and Europe. 

CYENS Centre of Excellence is an equal opportunity employer and the position is open to everyone, internationally.

All applications are treated in the strictest confidence.