Job Purpose
UK Finance is seeking a Non-Executive Chair based in Belfast to represent the finance and banking sector in Northern Ireland with the Executive Departments and the Assembly, business organisations, trade unions, farming organisations, educational institutions and consumer bodies, the Northern Ireland office and other UK government departments as appropriate and in media commentary.
The successful candidate will provide a local presence in Northern Ireland and represent a single voice for the sector with key political, media and other stakeholders.
The time commitment is expected to be circa one day per week.
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Key Responsibilities
The successful candidate will have considerable experience of working in the banking sector and a prominent profile in the business community. It is envisaged that the post holder would:
* Chair the Northern Ireland Committee (NIC), comprising the CEOs/Country Heads of Retail banks in Northern Ireland and will act as UK Finance's representative on the ground in NI.
* Have the experience and gravitas to challenge political representatives, business organisations and UK Finance colleagues in London on behalf of NI banks.
* Act as the senior/executive point of contact for the NI banks and would convene and chair NIC meetings to discuss issues of common concern and agree common positions on key issues.
* Seek consensus across NIC to achieve a common position on key strategic issues.
* Be the industry's main point of contact for the NI Executive, Assembly, NI business and trade associations, trade unions, educational institutions and consumer bodies, local councils, UK government departments and Westminster committees.
* Have the main advisory role on media issues relating to NI and handled by the UK Finance Media Relations team in London, acting as UK Finance's spokesperson in dealings with the Northern Ireland media – articulating in public only positions agreed by all members of NIC
* Be responsible for leading NIC to lobby central, devolved and local government and other stakeholders on issues of common concern.
* Liaise with colleagues in London to ensure NIC members are aware of key banking issues being discussed at a UK-wide level.
* Ensure UK Finance colleagues in London are reflecting the position of NIC on important policy issues in their discussions with UK government departments and committees at Westminster.
* Ensure colleagues in UK Finance in London regularly gather, interpret and present MI which would then be available to NIC members.
It is essential that the successful candidate has a firm grasp of the finance and banking sector in NI and at a national level. He/she will also need a sound knowledge of the business, political and consumer landscape in NI and nationally. As the main point of contact for the banking sector with a range of stakeholders, he/she will be empowered by NIC to brief officials from time-to-time in the NI Executive, Assembly committees, business organisations, Westminster, etc. on the appropriate issues for the UK Finance NIC Committee to engage them on.
The successful candidate will therefore be expected to:
* Act largely on their own initiative to challenging timelines (a 'self-starter').
* Formulate a compelling policy approach for day-to-day banking matters that supports UK Finance's strategic aims and high level operational objectives.
* Build networks of contacts to provide insights and support UK Finance's policy thinking.
* Influence debates and negotiate effectively to embed this approach across the sector.
* Communicate effectively to a range of stakeholders, including the media and general public.
In a more generic sense, the main duties, for which experience would be preferred, are to:
* Identify banking policy and regulatory issues of importance to members.
* Formulate, by consensus, an 'industry-view' on issues and risks.
* Gain an influential audience for 'industry-views'.
* Influence policy and regulatory matters affecting members to achieve outcomes in their best interests.
* Give best advice and support to members to enable them to cope with legislative and regulatory change.
* Produce top quality reports/ recommendations to be presented orally or in writing.
* Establish and retain effective relationships with individuals and bodies within and important to industry.
The role does not have any management or supervisory responsibilities and reports to the Northern Ireland Committee and the Managing Director, Personal Finance and Prudential, Reporting and Taxation.
Skills and Competencies
Experience required:
* Familiarity with financial markets generally and credit/ debt markets specifically.
* Familiarity with regulatory and legislative framework for banking.
* Understanding of balance sheet and profit and loss account composition, relative to banking.
* Knowledge of current and emerging capabilities of new finance and banking products.
* Exposure to policy and strategic issues.
Knowledge/ skills required:
* Problem solving abilities.
* Strong analytical skills.
* Appreciation of personal financial services.
* Negotiating skill and persuasiveness.
* Diplomacy and political awareness.
Personal attributes
* Strong inter-personal skills.
* Team working skills.
* Mental flexibility and agility.
* Imagination and creativity.
* Dynamism and hard-work ethos.
* Goal oriented and high sense of commitment.
* Tolerance of frustration and a sense of humour.
* Strong presentation skills.
* Computer literacy.