At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead financial strategy and drive growth in UK aviation defence.
- Company: Join Babcock, a leader in aviation safety and innovation.
- Benefits: Generous holiday, pension scheme, health support, and professional fees covered.
- Other info: Flexible working with opportunities for travel and impactful volunteering.
- Why this job: Shape the future of aviation while advancing your executive career.
- Qualifications: Senior finance leadership experience and strong commercial skills required.
The predicted salary is between 80000 - 100000 € per year.
Location: Flexible, UK + Hybrid Working Arrangements
Compensation: Competitive Salary + Benefits
Role Type: Full time / Permanent
Shape the financial future of UK aviation defence and engineering. 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 Finance Director based at one of our UK Hubs.
The role:
- As a Finance Director, you’ll have a role that’s out of the ordinary. You will be a core member of the senior leadership team, shaping strategy and driving sustainable growth across a complex, regulated and safety critical aviation business.
- This is a highly influential leadership role that combines strategic finance, commercial insight and people leadership, offering the opportunity to leave a lasting impact on national capability while accelerating your own executive career.
Day to day responsibilities:
- Lead the financial strategy for the United Kingdom Aviation business, supporting performance, growth and long‑term value creation.
- Provide commercial and financial leadership to the senior leadership team, influencing strategic and operational decisions.
- Drive robust investment appraisal, governance and risk management across complex programmes and bids.
- Develop and inspire a high performing finance team within a multi site, international environment.
- Partner with internal and external stakeholders to optimise margins, manage contracts and support future opportunities.
This role is full time, 37.5 hours per week, based at any of our main UK locations, with hybrid working patterns available. Regular travel to other Babcock and customer sites will be expected.
Essential experience:
- Senior finance leadership experience within a complex, multi site organisation.
- Proven success in improving financial performance and supporting business growth.
- Strong commercial capability, including managing risk, margins and long term contracts.
- Significant experience of investment appraisal and strategic financial decision making.
- Background within aviation, defence, military or similarly regulated environments.
Qualifications:
- Professionally qualified accountant, such as Chartered Accountant, Chartered Management Accountant or equivalent.
- Executive or leadership development qualifications 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 - GOV.UK (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 allows UK Babcock employees to buy additional leave or to sell up to one working week of annual leave from their entitlement (available 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.
Finance Director - UK Aviation employer: Babcock International Group
At Babcock, we pride ourselves on being an exceptional employer, offering a dynamic work culture that fosters innovation and collaboration. As a Finance Director in the UK Aviation sector, you will benefit from competitive compensation, generous holiday allowances, and a matched pension scheme, all while enjoying flexible hybrid working arrangements. Our commitment to employee growth is evident through leadership development opportunities and initiatives like 'Be Kind Day', allowing you to make a meaningful impact both within the company and in the community.
Contact Detail:
Babcock International Group Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Finance Director - UK Aviation
✨Network Like a Pro
Get out there and connect with people in the aviation and finance sectors. Attend industry events, join relevant online forums, and don’t be shy about reaching out on LinkedIn. We all know that sometimes it’s not just what you know, but who you know!
✨Ace the Informational Interview
Set up informal chats with professionals already in roles you aspire to. This is your chance to ask questions, gain insights, and show your enthusiasm for the field. Plus, it could lead to job opportunities down the line. We love seeing our community take initiative!
✨Showcase Your Expertise
Create content that highlights your knowledge in finance and aviation. Whether it’s writing articles, sharing insights on social media, or even starting a blog, let your expertise shine. We believe that demonstrating your skills can set you apart from the competition.
✨Apply Through Our Website
When you find a role that excites you, apply directly through our website. It’s the best way to ensure your application gets seen by the right people. We’re here to help you land that dream job, so don’t hesitate to take the leap!
We think you need these skills to ace Finance Director - UK Aviation
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV:Make sure your CV is tailored to the Finance Director role. Highlight your senior finance leadership experience and any relevant achievements in complex, multi-site organisations. We want to see how you've improved financial performance and supported business growth!
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. Mention your commercial capabilities and how you’ve influenced strategic decisions in the past. We love a good story that showcases your skills!
Showcase Relevant Qualifications:Don’t forget to mention your professional qualifications, like being a Chartered Accountant or similar. If you have any executive or leadership development qualifications, make sure to highlight those too. We’re looking for someone who’s ready to lead!
Apply Through Our Website:We encourage you to apply through our website for the best chance of success. It’s straightforward and ensures your application gets to the right people. Plus, we can’t wait to see what you bring to the table!
How to prepare for a job interview at Babcock International Group
✨Know Your Numbers
As a Finance Director, you'll need to demonstrate your financial acumen. Brush up on key financial metrics relevant to the aviation sector and be ready to discuss how you've improved financial performance in previous roles. This shows you’re not just a numbers person but someone who can drive growth.
✨Understand the Business Landscape
Familiarise yourself with the current trends and challenges in the UK aviation industry, especially in defence and engineering. Being able to speak knowledgeably about these topics will impress the interviewers and show that you're prepared to tackle the complexities of the role.
✨Showcase Leadership Skills
Prepare examples of how you've led finance teams in multi-site environments. Highlight your experience in developing high-performing teams and how you've influenced strategic decisions. This is crucial for a leadership role, so make sure your stories reflect your ability to inspire and guide others.
✨Prepare for Scenario Questions
Expect scenario-based questions that assess your problem-solving skills and risk management capabilities. Think of specific situations where you had to make tough financial decisions or manage risks effectively. Practising these responses will help you articulate your thought process clearly during the interview.