At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead financial strategy and drive growth in the aviation sector.
- Company: Join Babcock, a leader in UK aviation defence and engineering.
- Benefits: Generous holiday, pension scheme, health support, and volunteering days.
- Other info: Flexible working options and commitment to inclusivity.
- Why this job: Shape the future of aviation while advancing your executive career.
- Qualifications: Senior finance leadership experience and professional accounting qualifications 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 is 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 you will be required to:
- 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 of the Finance Director:
- 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 for the Finance Director:
- 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.
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.
- 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: 19/05/2026
Finance Director in Bristol employer: Babcock International
At Babcock, we pride ourselves on being an exceptional employer, offering a dynamic work culture that fosters innovation and collaboration. As a Finance Director, you will not only shape the financial future of UK aviation defence but also benefit from generous holiday allowances, a matched pension scheme, and opportunities for professional growth in a supportive environment. With flexible working arrangements and a commitment to inclusivity, Babcock is dedicated to ensuring that every employee can thrive while making a meaningful impact.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Finance Director in Bristol
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to your connections in the finance and aviation 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 those interviews! Research Babcock and understand their financial strategies and challenges. Be ready to discuss how your experience aligns with their goals. Show them you’re not just another candidate, but the perfect fit for their Finance Director role.
✨Tip Number 3
Practice your pitch! You’ll want to clearly articulate your leadership style and how you’ve driven financial performance in past roles. Keep it concise and impactful – think of it as your personal brand statement that showcases your unique value.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets noticed. Plus, we love seeing candidates who take the initiative to engage directly with us. Let’s get you on board!
We think you need these skills to ace Finance Director in Bristol
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 driven 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 managed risk and margins in previous positions. Let us know how you can contribute to our mission!
Showcase Your 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 love seeing candidates who are committed to their professional growth!
Apply Through Our Website:We encourage you to apply through our website for a smoother application process. It’s the best way for us to receive your application and keep track of it. Plus, you’ll find all the details you need about the role and our company there!
How to prepare for a job interview at Babcock International
✨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 and defence sectors. Be prepared to discuss how you've improved financial performance in previous roles and how you can apply that experience to Babcock.
✨Understand the Business Landscape
Familiarise yourself with Babcock's operations and the broader aviation defence market. Research recent developments, challenges, and opportunities within the industry. This will help you articulate how your strategic vision aligns with the company's goals during the interview.
✨Showcase Leadership Skills
This role requires strong people leadership. Prepare examples of how you've developed high-performing teams in complex environments. Highlight your approach to mentoring and inspiring finance professionals, as well as how you’ve influenced senior leadership decisions.
✨Prepare for Scenario Questions
Expect scenario-based questions that assess your problem-solving skills and risk management capabilities. Think about past experiences where you had to make tough financial decisions or manage risks effectively. Use the STAR method (Situation, Task, Action, Result) to structure your responses.