At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead financial planning and analysis, guiding strategic decisions and managing a high-performing team.
- Company: Join Draken, a dynamic leader in the defence and aerospace sector.
- Benefits: Enjoy competitive salary, generous pension contributions, bonuses, and wellbeing programmes.
- Other info: Be part of a diverse team committed to fairness and respect.
- Why this job: Shape financial strategy and make impactful decisions in a growing organisation.
- Qualifications: Qualified accountant with experience in long-term contract accounting and financial modelling.
The predicted salary is between 70000 - 90000 £ per year.
Location: Hurn
Hours: Full-time 37 hours | Permanent
Draken believes in fair reward and recognition for our employees. As such, we offer competitive salaries and a comprehensive benefits package including up to 12% matching pension contributions, bonus incentives, discounted PMI, electric car scheme, tech vouchers, wellbeing programmes and much more.
The Role
We’re looking for a Head of Financial Planning & Analysis (FP&A) to join Draken at a pivotal stage of growth. This is a senior leadership role, responsible for managing a team of 6 Finance Business Partners and 1 FP&A Analyst and driving robust financial planning to support strategic decision-making across the organisation. Acting as a trusted partner to the Programmes team and senior leadership, you’ll provide insightful, forward-looking financial analysis across complex, long-term contracts. This role plays a key part in shaping commercial decisions, assessing risk, and ensuring strong financial performance. You’ll also support the VP Finance in enhancing forecasting processes and building a high-performing FP&A function, with clear succession planning and capability development.
Key Responsibilities
- Commercial Finance & Business Partnering
- Act as a trusted finance partner to senior operational leaders across Draken
- Provide financial insight and challenge on contract performance, changes, and negotiations
- Clearly communicate financial risks, opportunities and sensitivities to leadership
- FP&A, Modelling & Forecasting
- Lead budgeting, forecasting, and long-range planning processes
- Develop and maintain complex financial models (covering contracts, cash flow, profitability and scenario analysis)
- Ensure forecasts reflect key drivers such as contract structures, milestones, inflation and performance obligations
- Translate complex financial data into clear, actionable insight
- Long-Term Contract Accounting
- Provide oversight of long-term defence contracts, ensuring appropriate revenue recognition and margin management (e.g. IFRS 15)
- Align commercial forecasts with financial reporting and statutory results
- Monitor contract performance, identifying emerging risks and recommending corrective actions
- Leadership & Continuous Improvement
- Lead and develop a team of Finance Business Partners and FP&A analysts
- Coach and mentor team members, building strong commercial finance capability
- Strengthen governance across financial models and forecasting processes
- Drive continuous improvement in tools, reporting and processes
- Act as a key member of the finance leadership team and deputise for the VP Finance where required
Experience / skills / qualifications
Essential
- Proven experience within the defence sector
- Strong background in long-term contract accounting (including revenue recognition, margin and cash flow)
- Qualified accountant (ACA, ACCA or CIMA)
- Extensive experience in financial modelling (advanced Excel skills)
- Experience leading and developing high-performing teams
- Strong commercial judgement with the confidence to challenge senior stakeholders
- Excellent communication skills – able to simplify complex financial concepts
Desirable
- Experience supporting bid and pricing activities
- Background in aerospace or long-term contract environments
- Experience in investor-backed or private equity organisations
- Exposure to multi-entity or international operations
About You
- Commercially focused with strong analytical skills
- Able to balance detail with strategic thinking
- Comfortable operating in a senior, high-accountability role
- Pragmatic, resilient and solutions-oriented
- A collaborative leader who invests in developing others
Why Join Draken?
- Play a key role in shaping financial strategy within a growing, complex organisation
- Work closely with senior leadership on high-impact decisions
- Lead and develop a high-performing FP&A function
- Be part of a dynamic, mission-driven business in the defence and aerospace sector
Our employee values Draken is committed to eliminating unlawful and unfair discrimination and we celebrate the differences that a diverse workforce brings. A range of perspective and talent supports our values and drives our success, with a mix of voices generating better discussions, business decisions and outcomes for all. At all our sites internationally, every member of the Draken team is accountable to ensure that we are all treated fairly and with respect. We are also an Armed Forces friendly organisation, and as part of our commitment to the Armed Forces Covenant, welcome applications from veterans and services spouses and partners who met the criteria in our job specifications. In line with our Disability Confident Commitments, we provide reasonable adjustments to facilitate our interview process, please liaise with us if any reasonable adjustments are required.
Head of Financial Planning & Analysis in Bournemouth employer: Draken
Draken is an exceptional employer that prioritises fair reward and recognition, offering competitive salaries alongside a comprehensive benefits package, including generous pension contributions and wellbeing programmes. With a strong focus on employee growth, you will have the opportunity to lead a high-performing FP&A function while collaborating closely with senior leadership in a dynamic, mission-driven environment within the defence and aerospace sector.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Head of Financial Planning & Analysis in Bournemouth
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to your 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 or can put in a good word for you.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for interviews by practising common FP&A questions. Think about how you can showcase your experience with long-term contract accounting and financial modelling. We recommend doing mock interviews with friends or using online platforms to get comfortable with your responses.
✨Tip Number 3
Showcase your leadership skills! Be ready to discuss how you've developed high-performing teams in the past. Use specific examples that highlight your coaching and mentoring abilities, as well as your experience in driving continuous improvement in financial processes.
✨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 genuinely interested in joining Draken and being part of our mission-driven team.
We think you need these skills to ace Head of Financial Planning & Analysis in Bournemouth
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV:Make sure your CV is tailored to the Head of FP&A role. Highlight your experience in financial planning, long-term contract accounting, and team leadership. 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 Draken. Share specific examples of your achievements in financial analysis and how you've supported strategic decision-making in previous roles.
Showcase Your Communication Skills:Since this role involves simplifying complex financial concepts, make sure your application reflects your communication prowess. Use clear and concise language to demonstrate your ability to convey financial insights effectively.
Apply Through Our Website:We encourage you to apply through our website for a smoother process. It helps us keep track of your application and ensures you don’t miss out on any important updates from us!
How to prepare for a job interview at Draken
✨Know Your Numbers
As a Head of FP&A, you'll need to demonstrate your financial acumen. Brush up on key financial metrics and be ready to discuss how you've used data to drive decision-making in previous roles. Prepare examples of complex financial models you've developed and how they impacted business outcomes.
✨Showcase Leadership Skills
This role involves leading a team, so be prepared to talk about your leadership style. Share specific instances where you've coached or mentored team members, and how you fostered a high-performing environment. Highlight your experience in managing cross-functional teams and collaborating with senior stakeholders.
✨Understand the Defence Sector
Familiarise yourself with the defence industry, especially long-term contract accounting and revenue recognition standards like IFRS 15. Be ready to discuss how these concepts apply to Draken's operations and how you can contribute to their financial strategy.
✨Prepare for Scenario Questions
Expect questions that assess your problem-solving skills and commercial judgement. Think through potential scenarios related to contract performance and financial risks. Practice articulating your thought process and how you would approach these challenges, ensuring you convey your strategic thinking.
