Head of Finance

Head of Finance

Full-Time 70000 - 90000 € / year (est.) Home office (partial)
Babcock International

At a Glance

  • Tasks: Lead financial strategies for global defence programmes and oversee international operations.
  • Company: Join Babcock, a global leader in defence and engineering.
  • Benefits: Generous holiday allowance, pension scheme, health support, and volunteering days.
  • Other info: Be part of a diverse team making a real impact on national security.
  • Why this job: Shape the future of defence finance while enjoying a hybrid work-life balance.
  • Qualifications: Qualified accountant with experience in international finance and project management.

The predicted salary is between 70000 - 90000 € per year.

Location: Rosyth, Fife, Devonport, Plymouth or Bristol + Hybrid Working Arrangements

Compensation: Competitive + Benefits

Role Type: Full time / Permanent

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 one of our Babcock sites.

The role:

  • 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:

  • 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:

  • 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.

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 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.

Babcock is a global FTSE 100 organisation with over 26,000 people working together to make a difference. Here, you'll be part of something bigger. From initial design to final decommissioning, your work will contribute to products and services that are essential to national security and public infrastructure. Together, we're building a future that lasts – not just through the impact we make, but through meaningful careers that respect your work-life balance.

We call that lifetime engineering. Join us and see how far we can go, together.

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 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 employer: Babcock International

Babcock is an exceptional employer, offering a unique opportunity for the Head of Finance to lead financial governance in critical defence programmes while enjoying a hybrid working model from locations such as Rosyth, Fife, Devonport, Plymouth, or Bristol. With a strong commitment to employee well-being, generous benefits including a matched pension scheme, and opportunities for professional growth, Babcock fosters a collaborative work culture that values work-life balance and inclusivity, making it an ideal place for those seeking meaningful and rewarding careers.

Babcock International

Contact Detail:

Babcock International Recruiting Team

StudySmarter Expert Advice🀫

We think this is how you could land Head of Finance

✨Tip Number 1

Network like a pro! Reach out to connections in the finance sector, especially those with ties to defence or international business. A friendly chat can lead to insider info about job openings that aren't even advertised yet.

✨Tip Number 2

Prepare for interviews by researching Babcock and its projects. Understand their financial governance and risk management strategies. This will help you showcase your knowledge and how you can contribute to their goals.

✨Tip Number 3

Practice your pitch! Be ready to explain how your experience aligns with the role of Head of Finance. Highlight your background in project accounting and international entities to make a strong impression.

✨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 Babcock team and contributing to their mission.

We think you need these skills to ace Head of Finance

Financial Governance
Risk Management
Project Accounting
Long Term Contract Management
International Tax Structuring
Treasury Management
Commercial Acumen

Some tips for your application 🫑

Tailor Your CV:Make sure your CV reflects the specific skills and experiences that align with the Head of Finance role. Highlight your experience in financial governance, project accounting, and international entities to catch our eye!

Craft a Compelling Cover Letter:Your cover letter is your chance to shine! Use it to explain why you're passionate about the role and how your background makes you the perfect fit for shaping the financial future at Babcock.

Showcase Your Leadership Skills:As a Head of Finance, leadership is key. Be sure to include examples of how you've successfully led teams or projects in the past, especially in regulated environments like defence or engineering.

Apply Through Our Website:We encourage you to apply directly through our website. It’s the best way to ensure your application gets into the right hands and shows us you're serious about joining the Babcock team!

How to prepare for a job interview at Babcock International

✨Know Your Numbers

As a Head of Finance, you'll need to demonstrate your financial acumen. Brush up on key financial metrics and be ready to discuss how you've used them in past roles. Be prepared to explain complex financial concepts in simple terms, as you may need to communicate with non-financial stakeholders.

✨Showcase Your Leadership Skills

This role requires strong leadership, so think of examples where you've successfully led teams or projects. Prepare to discuss how you’ve managed financial governance and risk controls, especially in regulated environments like defence or engineering. Highlight your ability to partner with senior stakeholders effectively.

✨Understand the Global Context

Since this position involves international operations, research Babcock's expansion into the Indo Pacific region. Familiarise yourself with the legal and tax structures relevant to establishing international entities. Being able to discuss these topics will show your readiness for the role.

✨Prepare for Scenario Questions

Expect scenario-based questions that assess your problem-solving skills in financial management. Think about how you would approach developing commercial pricing models or managing treasury activities across multiple currencies. Practising these scenarios can help you articulate your thought process clearly during the interview.