Head of Strategic Finance Planning and Risk

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Head of Strategic Finance Planning and Risk

Date: 7 Jul 2025

Location: Gatwick, GB

Salary: £89,370 up to £119,161 dependent upon experience

Contract Type: Permanent – Full Time

Security Level: SC

Base: Crawley, West Sussex (Our Gatwick office) with frequent travel to our Westferry, Canary Wharf office

Visa Restrictions: This position does not (currently) offer visa sponsorship.

We are the UK\’s aviation and aerospace regulator and recognised as a world leader in its field. Our activities are diverse, enabling the aviation industry to meet the highest safety standards, and we pride ourselves on our ability to adapt to the constantly evolving aviation environment.

The Role

The Head of Strategic Finance Planning and Risk is a key leadership role responsible for developing the organisation’s financial strategy and overseeing the implementation of a financially sustainable operating model that aligns with the organisation’s strategic goals. This role will lead the development of a strategic integrated planning capability, ensuring the organisation adopts a medium to long-term planning approach.

The incumbent will play a crucial role in embedding finance at the core of decision-making processes, ensuring a balanced approach to strategic ambition, operational delivery, risk management, sustainability, and value for money. By integrating financial strategy with organisational planning and risk management, the Head of Strategic Finance, Planning, and Risk will ensure that the organisation is well-positioned to achieve its objectives while maintaining financial stability and resilience.

• Financial Sustainability & Value for Money : Lead the strategic development of initiatives that ensure the organisation’s financial sustainability, embedding a culture focused on value for money throughout the organisation.
• Resource Optimisation : Develop and implement strategies to optimise resource allocation and utilisation, increasing confidence at the ExCo and Board level that resources are prioritized and allocated effectively to meet strategic objectives.
• Long-Term Financial Planning : Oversee the implementation of financial models that support and facilitate long-term financial planning, ensuring they are robust and aligned with the organisation’s goals.
• Funding Model Development : Lead the strategic development and implementation of the funding model, ensuring clear communication with customers, colleagues, and government stakeholders. Address concerns through consultation to build understanding and support for the new model.

Strategic Integrated Planning

• Strategic Integrated Planning : Lead the development and implementation of a strategic integrated planning framework that encompasses financial, corporate, resource planning, and risk management. Oversee all planning activities to ensure cohesion and effectiveness.
• Cross-Departmental Alignment : Ensure alignment of financial planning processes with the organisation\’s strategic objectives, fostering synergy across departments.
• Network Development : Build and maintain a network of key stakeholders across the organisation to facilitate medium to long-term planning, supporting both strategic and operational goals.
• Enterprise Risk Management (ERM) Integration : Lead efforts to embed the organisation\’s Enterprise Risk Management (ERM) Framework into the core of the CAA, making it an integral part of the organisation\’s culture and operations.
• Continuous Improvement of Risk Management : Sustain momentum in risk management by evolving the ERM framework with a sharper focus on risk appetite for corporate risks. Provide regular updates to the Executive Committee (ExCo), Board, and Audit Committee.
• Effective Risk Mitigation : Ensure that the CAA’s first line of defence effectively identifies, assesses, and manages risks. Develop and implement mitigation strategies that safeguard consumers and the public, support the CAA’s strategic objectives, and maintain the organisation’s financial health.
• ERM Integration in Planning : Seamlessly integrate enterprise risk management into the organisation’s strategic and financial planning processes, ensuring a holistic approach to risk and resource management.

Decision Support

• Strategic Financial Analysis : Deliver comprehensive financial analysis, insights, and guidance to inform and support strategic decision-making across the organisation.
• Integrated Decision-Making : Ensure that finance, planning, and risk management are central to decisions, effectively balancing ambition, delivery, risk, and value.
• Business Case Support : Assist in the development of business cases for strategic initiatives, emphasising value-for-money and ensuring that significant investments are backed by thorough and robust analysis.
• Efficiency and Benefit Realisation : Collaborate with the Executive Committee (ExCo) and Head of Portfolio Delivery to achieve efficiency targets and ensure the realisation of planned benefits.
• Visible Leadership : Provide strong, visible leadership that actively engages with the CAA, its stakeholders, and customers to build trust and alignment.
• Strategic Alignment : Collaborate closely with the CFO and other senior leaders to ensure alignment between financial strategies and the organisation’s broader strategic objectives.
• Team Leadership and Development : Lead and mentor a team of finance, planning, and risk professionals. Cultivate a culture of empowerment, inclusivity, and ownership, driving high performance, productivity, and innovation at both individual and team levels.
• Culture of Excellence : Promote a culture of continuous improvement and excellence in financial management, integrated planning, and risk management, ensuring the organisation remains agile and forward-thinking.

Stakeholder Engagement

• Stakeholder Engagement : Actively engage with key stakeholders to communicate and align on financial strategies and plans, ensuring broad understanding and support.
• Transparency and Accountability: Ensure transparency and accountability in financial reporting, organisational performance, and risk management, maintaining the integrity of all reporting processes.
• External Representation : Represent the organisation in external financial, strategic planning, and risk forums, as well as governance boards, advocating for the organisation\’s interests and objectives.
• Financial Leadership at CAAi : As the CAAi Finance Director, provide expert financial advice and guidance to managers and staff, supporting the company in achieving its objectives and driving financial success.

About You

To be considered for the role you must have the following experience and skills:
Experience

• Professional Accounting Qualification: Hold a professional accounting qualification (e.g., ACA, ACCA, CIMA) with a minimum of 10 years of post-qualification experience.
• Senior Finance Experience: Proven experience in a senior finance role, demonstrating the ability to lead and manage financial operations effectively.
• Change Management Expertise: Demonstrated experience in delivering change across strategic planning, financial modelling, and enterprise risk management.
• Leadership and Team Development: Strong leadership skills with a successful track record in managing and developing high-performing teams.

Skills

• Analytical and Problem-Solving Skills: Exhibit excellent analytical and problem-solving abilities, crucial for navigating complex financial and strategic challenges.
• Strong Communication and Influence: Possess strong communication and people skills, with the ability to effectively influence decision-making at the Executive and Board levels.
• Collaborative Leadership: Demonstrate the ability to work collaboratively with stakeholders across all levels, fostering strong partnerships and shared objectives.
• Financial Planning Proficiency: Maintain a high level of proficiency in financial planning and analysis tools, ensuring accurate and insightful financial management.
• Strategic Vision: Be a strategic thinker with a clear vision for financial sustainability and growth, driving long-term success.
• Results-Driven: Focus on achieving measurable outcomes, consistently delivering results that align with organisational goals.
• Integrity and Professionalism: Uphold the highest standards of integrity and professionalism in all dealings, earning trust and respect.
• Adaptability and Resilience: Stay adaptable and resilient in the face of change and uncertainty, maintaining effectiveness and composure.

Additional Information

For many appointments within the CAA, these roles require access to operationally sensitive infrastructure and/or Nationally Protected information. For these roles the post holders must undergo National Security Vetting and achieve the appropriate level of clearance.

To be vetted we will usually expect a reasonable period of residency in the UK so that meaningful checks can be undertaken.For this role t his will need to be 5 years.

If you do not meet these requirements, we may not be able to accept your application.

The CAA values high ethical standards and personal integrity among employees. If invited for interview you will be asked to complete a declaration of interest.

Relocation & Property

The CAA will be relocating from Aviation House (Our Gatwick Office) to new premises in a few years’ time. Our move is driven by strategic, operational and environmental considerations.

We will be moving to a new local home, up to a 15-mile radius of Aviation House, to minimise disruption for our valued colleagues and customers.

We are now working with colleagues and visitors to understand what we need in our new office, before we start our property search. We will sell Aviation House and land, vacate the site and move to new premises, but we do not expect to move before 2028

Inclusive Recruitment

We are passionate about diversity and ensuring all are included at the CAA. We are an equal opportunity employer and actively encourage applications from candidates of all backgrounds. We use fair and inclusive selection approaches to hire the best person for the job based on merit alone.

As a member of the Disability Confident scheme, applicants who meet the minimum criteria for a role with us will be guaranteed an interview. If you require an adjustment for any reason, please let us know.

Working With Us

We are on a journey towards being increasingly adaptable, where our colleagues collaborate as part of cross-functional teams. This approach ensures we never stop learning together. It also means that you may become involved in activities that take you out of your day-to-day role, providing you with opportunities to develop and grow your career with us.

We have embraced hybrid working and offer flexible working patterns, being open to having a conversation about what works for you. We know where and when we work is important in achieving a work-life balance.

We offer a range of excellent benefits such as flexible working arrangements, free onsite gym at Gatwick, discounted gym membership for London, 28 days annual leave, additional 5 days leave purchase scheme, a generous pension scheme and much more!

Our Values

Do The Right Thing, Never Stop Learning, Build Collaborative Relationships, Respect Everyone – For more information please Click Here

Closing Date: Monday 28th July 2025

Interview Date: W/C Monday 4th or 11th August 2025

We reserve the right to close this vacancy early if we receive sufficient applications for the role. Therefore, if you are interested, please submit your application as early as possible.

No recruitment agencies please.

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