Assistant Finance Director in Milton Keynes

Assistant Finance Director in Milton Keynes

Milton Keynes Temporary 60000 - 75000 £ / year (est.) No working from home possible
Atomic Weapons Establishment

At a Glance

  • Tasks: Support the Finance Director in transforming and strengthening the finance function.
  • Company: AWE, a leading organisation in finance transformation.
  • Benefits: Enjoy a 9-day working fortnight, generous leave, and a top pension scheme.
  • Other info: Collaborative culture with opportunities for professional growth and community involvement.
  • Why this job: Make a real impact in a dynamic environment while developing your finance skills.
  • Qualifications: Qualified finance leader with experience in complex environments and strong analytical skills.

The predicted salary is between 60000 - 75000 £ per year.

Deputy Finance Director – Fixed term (6–12 months) located in Green Park, Reading (free onsite parking). The role supports the Finance Director in stabilising and strengthening a complex finance function during a period of transformation and programme delivery.

Responsibilities

  • Assist the Finance Director in stabilising and strengthening the finance function through a period of transformation.
  • Rapidly assimilate AWE’s financial position at a strategic level, providing insightful analysis and highlighting key risks, issues and opportunities to senior stakeholders.
  • Ensure delivery of accurate, timely and high‑quality financial and management reporting.
  • Drive the integrity and consistency of financial data, ensuring a single version of the truth across corporate systems.
  • Ensure financial data is effectively structured to enable informed decision‑making.
  • Provide technical accounting expertise across UK GAAP and IFRS.
  • Partner with the Finance Director to define and implement a target operating model.
  • Drive improvements in performance, accountability and outputs.
  • Identify inefficiencies and support resolution of capability gaps.

Qualifications

  • Qualified, impact‑oriented Finance Director‑level leader experienced in complex, multi‑entity environments (ACA, CIMA or ACCA).
  • Demonstrated experience partnering with executive leadership teams and board stakeholders.
  • Strong track record in finance transformation, process improvement and performance uplift.
  • Deep expertise in financial reporting, governance and control frameworks.
  • Strong analytical capability with the ability to translate financial data into clear, actionable insight.
  • Decisive, resilient and delivery‑focused, able to build credibility quickly in a complex environment.
  • A collaborative, people‑centric leader with a record of developing team capability and improving performance.
  • Experience in a regulated or arm’s‑length body is preferable but not essential.

Benefits

  • 9‑day working fortnight (every other Friday off) plus 270 hours of annual leave.
  • Market‑leading contributory pension scheme with employer contributions between 9% and 13% of pensionable pay.
  • Family‑friendly policies: 39‑week maternity leave at full pay and 4‑week paternity leave at full pay.
  • Professional career development funding, including annual membership of a relevant professional body.
  • Employee Assistance Programme and Occupational Health Services.
  • Life assurance at 4× annual salary.
  • Access to savings and discounts across everyday spending.
  • Special leave policy including paid time off for volunteering, public service (including reserve forces) and caring.

Eligibility & Security Clearance

  • British citizenship required.
  • Candidate must have been resident in the UK for the past 5 years to obtain Security Clearance, and for 10 years for Development Vetting.
  • Sufficient security clearance will be funded by the employer.

Assistant Finance Director in Milton Keynes employer: Atomic Weapons Establishment

AWE is an exceptional employer, offering a supportive and collaborative work culture that prioritises employee well-being and professional growth. With benefits such as a 9-day working fortnight, generous leave policies, and a market-leading pension scheme, employees are empowered to thrive both personally and professionally in the vibrant setting of Green Park, Reading. The company fosters a commitment to transformation and excellence, making it an ideal place for finance professionals seeking meaningful and rewarding careers.

Atomic Weapons Establishment

Contact Details:

Atomic Weapons Establishment Recruitment Team

StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫

We think this is how you could land Assistant Finance Director in Milton Keynes

Join Financial Networking Events

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We think you need these skills to ace Assistant Finance Director in Milton Keynes

Financial Analysis
Financial Reporting
UK GAAP
IFRS
Finance Transformation
Process Improvement
Performance Management

Some tips for your application 🫡

Show Off Your Academic Achievements:In banking and financial services, your academic record can really make you stand out. List relevant grades, certifications, or coursework on your CV, especially if you've taken finance-related modules. This is particularly important for a temporary role where qualifications can help you shine even brighter!

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Tailor Your Cover Letter Purposefully:When writing your cover letter, focus on why you’re interested in a temporary position at Atomic Weapons Establishment. Let them know how you can quickly adapt to the team's needs and how eager you are to learn the ropes of the banking sector during this short stint. Your motivation and enthusiasm could really set you apart!

Be Prepared with References:For temporary roles, references can play a crucial role in your application. Make sure you’ve got a couple of references lined up who can vouch for your skills and work ethic. This helps to give Atomic Weapons Establishment confidence in your short-term commitment to the role.

How to prepare for a job interview at Atomic Weapons Establishment

Brush Up on Financial Regulations

Since this is a role in banking and financial services, be ready to discuss key regulations like MiFID, Basel III, or GDPR. These are hot topics, and your awareness of how they impact daily operations can give you a significant edge during your interview with Atomic Weapons Establishment.

Showcase Your Analytical Skills

Prepare for interview questions that assess your analytical abilities. You might need to tackle hypothetical scenarios involving risk assessment or financial forecasting. Bringing examples of relevant projects or coursework can emphasise your practical understanding of these concepts.

Highlight Flexibility and Adaptability

For a temporary role, showing that you can quickly pick up new processes and tools is crucial. Be ready to discuss previous experiences where you had to adapt to changing requirements or tight deadlines, as this will reassure Atomic Weapons Establishment that you’re a reliable team player.

Demonstrate a Willingness to Learn

In a temporary position, leaning into your eagerness to learn can really set you apart. Be prepared to share how you’re staying updated on industry trends or any additional training you've pursued. Employers appreciate candidates who are proactive about their development—even for short-term roles.