Senior Finance Manager - FP&A Management in Gloucester

Here at Dowty, a GE Aerospace company, due to an internal promotion we have an exciting new opportunity for a Senior Finance Manager – FP&A, to join our onsite team at our cutting edge engineering site near Gloucester. You'll be instrumental in delivering financial planning, analysis and reporting to our GE Aerospace Corporate stakeholders, a business, or a P&L within a business. You'll have in-depth knowledge of finance best practices and how your own area integrates with others; you'll have working knowledge of competition and the factors that differentiate them in the market.

Key Responsibilities

• Own weekly P&L and cash forecasts, ensuring accuracy, insight, and timely delivery.
• Lead quarterly P&L and cash forecasts for the current year and year+1, integrating inputs from programs, supply chain, departmental budget owners, and site finance teams.
• Challenge assumptions and provide clear variance analysis against forecast, prior year, and prior quarter.
• Coordinate monthly forecast cycles and produce high‑quality commentary explaining deviations from quarterly commitments.
• Partner with business leaders to define and track action plans to close performance gaps.
• Lead the annual budget and long‑range planning processes, ensuring alignment with strategy, operational targets, and financial expectations.
• Own divisional month‑end reporting and develop performance commentary for the CFO and senior leadership team.
• Coordinate closely with Controllership to ensure a timely, high‑quality financial close.
• Manage, coach, and develop two FP&A analysts, ensuring delivery of goals and professional growth.
• Provide financial expertise and partnership to stakeholders across Finance and the wider business.
• Coordinate with P&AT and Aerospace FP&A teams to submit forecasts and actuals in line with global calendars, ensuring zero‑defect submissions.
• Work closely with the business on other ad hoc projects as required.
• Support investment and commercial approvals in accordance with FIN‑86 policy.
• Act as deputy for the CFO as required.
• Lead FP&A improvement initiatives, strengthening process quality, cycle times, and integration of FLIGHTDECK.

Essential Skills and Experience

• FP&A experience gained within a complex production or manufacturing environment. Ideally within aerospace, or a similar regulated safety critical environment – e.g. aviation, defence, automotive etc.
• A high level of business acumen – with a demonstrated ability to understand and influence revenue, margin, and cash drivers in a relevant industry.
• Strong financial modelling, P&L/BS/CF, variance analysis, and KPI dashboarding; advanced Excel; familiarity with ERP and planning tools.
• Demonstrated experience in FP&A, financial forecasting, budgeting, and performance analysis.
• Strong communication and storytelling with data; can simplify complex analyses for non‑finance stakeholders.
• Bachelor’s degree in accounting, finance, or other business‑related field and strong progressive accounting or finance experience.
• Strong analytical capability with the ability to link operational drivers to financial outcomes.
• Demonstrable ability to challenge assumptions and influence cross‑functional stakeholders.
• Experience leading and developing finance professionals – this position will have two direct reports, so requires strong people leadership experience.
• Ability to manage multiple priorities and deliver high‑quality outputs within tight timeframes.
• Continuous improvement mindset with familiarity in modern FP&A tools (preferred).
• Strong oral and written communication skills.

Desired Characteristics

• Deep knowledge of IFRS and US GAAP Accounting.
• Deep knowledge on Long Range accounting.
• Deep knowledge of accounting closing processes and procedures.
• Strong commercial acumen and deal‑orientated approach.
• Adaptable/flexible: being open to change in response to new information, different or unexpected circumstances, and/or to work in complex situations.
• Demonstrated ability to lead teams, properly manage priorities and drive execution.
• Advance computer skills: Microsoft Office Suite (Excel, PowerPoint, Word, etc.).
• ERP systems knowledge (Oracle/HFM).
• Sound understanding of global process and transactional flows.
• Experience working in a matrixed environment.
• Chartered Accountant (FCMA/CGMA/CPA) / EU work permit.

Total Reward

• Flexible benefits plan, called FlexChoice, gives you freedom, choice and flexibility in the way you receive your benefits, as well as giving you the opportunity to make savings where possible.
• Default benefit fund for new joiners includes non‑contributory Pension, Life Assurance, Group income protection, Private medical cover, Holiday (Hourly equivalent of 26 days, with flexible option to buy or sell).

Security Clearance

Baseline Personnel Security Standard (BPSS) clearance is required and must be maintained for this role. Please note that in the event that BPSS clearance cannot be obtained, you may not be eligible for the role and/or any offer of employment may be withdrawn on grounds of national security.

Right to Work

Applications from job seekers who require sponsorship to work in the UK are welcome and will be considered alongside all other applications. However, under the applicable UK immigration rules as may be in place from time to time, it may be that candidates who do not currently have the right to work in the UK may not be appointed to a post if a suitably qualified, experienced and skilled candidate who does not require sponsorship is available to take up the post.