At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead financial strategies for global defence programmes and oversee international operations.
- Company: Join Babcock, a leader in defence and engineering with a commitment to safety.
- Benefits: Enjoy generous holidays, pension schemes, health consultations, and flexible working options.
- Other info: Opportunity for travel and career growth in a dynamic, inclusive environment.
- Why this job: Shape the future of defence finance while making a real impact on global security.
- Qualifications: Must be a qualified accountant with experience in international finance and governance.
The predicted salary is between 60000 - 80000 £ per year.
Compensation: Competitive + Benefits
Role: Full time / Permanent
Location: Rosyth, Fife + Hybrid Working Arrangements
Shape the financial future of global defence programmes. At Babcock we’re working to create a safe and secure world, together, and if you join us, you can play your part as a Head of Finance at our Rosyth site.
The role:
As a Head of Finance, you’ll have a role that’s out of the ordinary. You will play a pivotal leadership role at the heart of Babcock’s expansion into the Indo‑Pacific region while maintaining strong financial governance across key UK naval programmes. This is a unique opportunity to combine strategic leadership with international reach, shaping how critical defence and engineering programmes are financed, governed and delivered.
Day‑to‑day you’ll be required to:
- Leading the end‑to‑end financial setup of Babcock’s Indonesian subsidiary, ensuring compliant legal, tax and governance structures
- Overseeing financial control, reporting and risk management across multi‑year defence programmes
- Developing commercial pricing models and bid support for complex international tenders
- Managing treasury, banking and foreign exchange activities across multiple currencies
- Partnering with senior stakeholders to ensure programmes are commercially robust, compliant and sustainable
Please note that this position involves travel/working across a range of internal and customer sites, as a requirement of the role. This role is full time, 36 hours per week and provides hybrid working arrangements with three days onsite. You will be expected to travel to Indonesia on a quarterly basis.
Essential Experience Of The Head Of Finance:
- Proven experience establishing or supporting international entities, including legal and tax structuring
- Strong background in project accounting and long‑term contract management
- Experience operating within regulated environments, such as defence, aerospace, engineering or infrastructure
- Demonstrated ability to lead financial governance, risk and controls at senior level
- Commercial acumen supporting bids, pricing models and strategic decision‑making
Qualifications For The Head Of Finance:
- Professionally qualified accountant: ACA, ACCA or CIMA or equivalent
- Additional exposure to international tax, treasury or joint ventures would be advantageous
Security Clearance:
The successful candidate must be able to achieve and maintain Security Check (SC) security clearance for this role. Many of the positions within our company are subject to national security clearance and Trade Control restrictions. This means that your eligibility for certain roles may be affected by your place of birth, nationality, current or former citizenship, and any residency you hold or have held. Further details are available at United Kingdom Security Vetting: clearance levels - www.gov.uk.
What We Offer:
- Generous holiday allowance
- Matched contribution pension scheme, with life assurance
- Access to a Digital GP, annual health check, and nutritional consultations through Aviva DigiCare+
- Employee shopping savings portal
- Payment of Professional Fees
- Reservists in the armed forces receive 10 days special paid leave
- Holiday Trading is a benefit that allows UK Babcock employees to buy additional leave or to sell up to one working week of annual leave from their annual entitlement. This Window opens February through to March annually.
- ‘Be Kind Day’ enables employees to take one working day’s paid leave a year (or equivalent hours) to undertake volunteering work with their chosen organisation or registered charity
We are a disability confident committed employer. If you have a disability or need any reasonable adjustments during the application and selection stages, please email careers@babcockinternational.com with the subject header ‘Reasonable adjustments requirement’. We’re committed to building an inclusive culture where everyone’s free to thrive. We are happy to talk about flexible working – please ask about alternative patterns of work at interview.
Closing date: 14/05/2026
Head of Finance in Fife employer: Babcock International Group
Contact Detail:
Babcock International Group Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Head of Finance in Fife
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to connections in the finance and defence sectors. Attend industry events or webinars, and don’t be shy about introducing yourself. You never know who might have the inside scoop on job openings!
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for interviews by researching Babcock and its projects. Understand their financial governance and international expansion plans. Tailor your responses to show how your experience aligns with their needs, especially in project accounting and risk management.
✨Tip Number 3
Practice your pitch! Be ready to explain how you can lead financial setups and manage treasury activities effectively. Highlight your commercial acumen and experience in regulated environments to stand out during discussions.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets noticed. Plus, it shows you’re serious about joining the team at Babcock and contributing to their mission in the defence sector.
We think you need these skills to ace Head of Finance in Fife
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV is tailored to the Head of Finance role. Highlight your experience in international finance, project accounting, and governance. We want to see how your skills align with what we’re looking for!
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: Your cover letter is your chance to shine! Use it to explain why you’re the perfect fit for this role at Babcock. Share specific examples of your past achievements that relate to the job description.
Showcase Your Leadership Skills: As a Head of Finance, leadership is key. In your application, emphasise your experience in leading teams and managing financial governance. We love to see candidates who can inspire and drive results!
Apply Through Our Website: Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets to us directly. Plus, you’ll find all the details you need about the role and our company culture there.
How to prepare for a job interview at Babcock International Group
✨Know Your Numbers
As a Head of Finance, you’ll need to demonstrate your financial acumen. Brush up on key financial metrics relevant to Babcock’s operations, especially in defence and international contexts. Be ready to discuss how you've successfully managed financial governance and risk in previous roles.
✨Understand the Role's Impact
This position is pivotal for Babcock’s expansion into the Indo-Pacific region. Research the company’s current projects and how they align with global defence strategies. Show that you understand the strategic importance of the role and how you can contribute to its success.
✨Prepare for Scenario Questions
Expect questions about your experience with international entities and project accounting. Prepare specific examples that highlight your problem-solving skills and ability to lead financial governance. Use the STAR method (Situation, Task, Action, Result) to structure your responses.
✨Engage with Stakeholders
Since this role involves partnering with senior stakeholders, think about how you can showcase your communication and collaboration skills. Prepare to discuss how you’ve successfully worked with diverse teams and managed stakeholder expectations in past projects.