At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead financial strategy and drive growth in UK aviation defence.
- Company: Join Babcock, a global leader in national security and public infrastructure.
- Benefits: Generous holiday, matched 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 – UK Aviation based at one of our UK Hubs.
The role:
- 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:
- 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:
- Professionally qualified accountant, such as Chartered Accountant or 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.
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: 19/05/2026
Finance Director - UK Aviation in London employer: Nuclearinst
Babcock is an exceptional employer, offering a dynamic work environment where you can shape the financial future of UK aviation while enjoying flexible working arrangements. With a strong focus on employee growth, generous benefits including a matched pension scheme and opportunities for volunteering, Babcock fosters a culture of inclusivity and support, making it an ideal place for professionals seeking meaningful and impactful careers.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Finance Director - UK Aviation in London
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to your connections in the aviation and finance 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 those interviews! Research Babcock and understand their role in UK aviation. Be ready to discuss how your experience aligns with their needs, especially in financial strategy and leadership. Practise common interview questions and have your own questions ready to show your interest.
✨Tip Number 3
Showcase your achievements! When you get the chance to chat with potential employers, highlight specific examples of how you've improved financial performance or led teams in complex environments. Numbers speak volumes, so bring data to back up your claims.
✨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 Babcock and being part of something bigger in the aviation sector.
We think you need these skills to ace Finance Director - UK Aviation in London
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 aviation or regulated environments. We want to see how your background aligns with our needs!
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 you can contribute to shaping the financial future of UK aviation. Let us know what makes you the perfect fit!
Showcase Your Leadership Skills:As a Finance Director, you'll be leading a team and influencing decisions. Make sure to highlight your people leadership experience and any successful strategies you've implemented in previous roles. We love seeing strong leaders!
Apply Through Our Website:We encourage you to apply through our website for a smooth application process. It’s the best way for us to receive your application and keep track of it. Plus, it shows you're keen on joining our team at Babcock!
How to prepare for a job interview at Nuclearinst
✨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 sector and be ready to discuss how you've improved financial performance in previous roles. This shows you understand the business landscape and can contribute strategically.
✨Showcase Leadership Skills
This role requires strong people leadership. Prepare examples of how you've developed high-performing teams in complex environments. Highlight your ability to inspire and influence others, as this will resonate well with the senior leadership team.
✨Understand the Regulatory Landscape
Familiarise yourself with the regulations affecting the aviation and defence sectors. Be prepared to discuss how you've navigated compliance challenges in the past and how you can ensure governance and risk management in future projects.
✨Engage with Stakeholders
Partnership is key in this role. Think about how you've successfully collaborated with internal and external stakeholders to optimise margins and manage contracts. Bring specific examples to the table that illustrate your commercial capability and strategic thinking.
