Chief Operating Officer Job Title: Chief Operating Officer Directorate : Corporate Services Pay Band: £73,577 - £77,904 (NICS Grade 6 August 2025 pay scale) (starting pay is normally at the pay band minima) Duration: Permanent Location: Armagh Observatory and Planetarium, which is located at College Hill, Armagh, Northern Ireland, BT61 9DB Reports to: AOP Director Hours of work: Full time 37 hours per week, flexible working arrangements available. AOPs hybrid working policy applies, which has a minimum of 3 days/week in the office. Holidays: 30 days plus 12 public and privilege holidays. The holiday year runs from 1st February to 31st January. Pensions: The postholder will be enrolled in the Northern Ireland Local Government Officers Superannuation Scheme. Probation: Confirmation of your appointment will be dependent upon the satisfactory completion of a probationary period of 6 months. If your performance, conduct or attendance during this period is not satisfactory your appointment may be terminated. All appointees will be expected to demonstrate a track record of effective service within this period. Key Purpose The postholder will be a member of the Senior Management Team (SMT) in the Armagh Observatory and Planetarium (AOP) and will share corporate responsibility with the Director for providing strategic direction and corporate leadership for the organisation in support of its vision, mission and values. They will have a key role to play in the preparation and delivery of short and longer-term plans to ensure the effective and efficient delivery of AOPs vibrant programmes in science and education. This will include acting as the Senior Responsible Owner for the Project Board for a major infrastructure Redevelopment Project. They will work closely with the AOP Board, the AOP Management Committee and its sub-committees, and with colleagues to maintain high standards of governance and accountability, ensuring effective stewardship of resources. The postholder will be required to represent AOPs interests with a wide range of stakeholders and to engender sound and productive internal and external relationships in support of AOPs business and mission. KEY DUTIES/RESPONSIBILITIES 1. The leadership, management and overall strategic direction of: Finance and Accounting Services Payroll Services Human Resource Services Assets Management Services ICT and Information Management Services Administrative Services. 2. Assisting the Director to fulfil their Accounting Officer role as outlined in Managing Public Money Northern Ireland and the Partnership Agreement between AOP and DfC. This may become the Accounting Officer role in the future, subject to DfC approval. 3. Ensuring compliance with the principles for dealing with resources in the public sector, as contained in Managing Public Money Northern Ireland. 4. Discharging the role of Senior Responsible Owner of AOPs Redevelopment Project.