Finance Director in Portsmouth

Salary: Up to £150,000 DOE

Full Time Permanent

Who we are

SubSea Craft is a fast growing, privately-funded, UK-based innovative maritime technology company specialising in next-generation, high-performance watercraft and systems. We operate at the intersection of advanced engineering, cutting‑edge design, and user‑centric innovation, delivering safe, effective, and enabling solutions for both commercial and defence applications.

What we offer

• Pension Contribution – Pension scheme with the option to contribute via salary sacrifice.
• Annual Bonus Scheme – Eligibility to participate in the company’s annual discretionary bonus scheme, linked to individual and company performance.
• Life Assurance and Critical Illness Cover – Comprehensive protection including Life Assurance (4x salary) and Critical Illness Cover for added financial security.
• Annual Leave – Entitlement to 25 days of annual leave plus bank holidays.
• Christmas Leave – A Christmas shutdown is typically observed.
• Wellbeing Day – An additional Wellbeing Day each year to focus on personal health and wellbeing.
• Family Leave – Enhanced maternity and paternity pay.
• Private Healthcare – Access to comprehensive private healthcare coverage to support your physical and mental wellbeing.
• Professional Development – Commitment to ongoing learning and career growth, supported by training programmes and access to LinkedIn Learning.
• Flexible Working – Opportunities for flexible working arrangements to promote work‑life balance.
• Inclusive Culture – A professional environment that values diversity, innovation, and collaboration.

Responsibilities will include

• Financial Strategy and Planning – Develop and implement comprehensive financial strategies to support the company's growth objectives, particularly in the context of international trade and defence sectors. Collaborate with executive leadership to set financial goals, budgets, and forecasts aligned with business objectives.
• International Trade Expertise – Oversee all aspects of international trade finance, including import/export regulations, foreign exchange management, and trade compliance. Evaluate and mitigate financial risks associated with cross‑border transactions and currency fluctuations.
• Defence Sector Experience – Leverage knowledge and experience within the defence industry to provide specialised financial insights and support strategic decision-making. Navigate the unique financial challenges and regulations inherent in defence contracts and procurement processes.
• Financial Reporting and Compliance – Ensure timely and accurate financial reporting in compliance with relevant regulations and accounting standards. Maintain internal controls to safeguard company assets and ensure integrity in financial reporting.
• Cash Flow Management and Capital Allocation – Optimise cash flow management strategies to support operational needs and capital investments. Evaluate investment opportunities and allocate capital efficiently to maximise returns.
• Team Leadership and Development – Lead and mentor a team of finance professionals, fostering a culture of excellence, collaboration, and continuous improvement. Provide guidance and development opportunities to enhance the skills and capabilities of the finance team.

Qualifications and Experience

• Relevant accounting qualification (ACA; ACCA; CIMA)
• Proven experience in a senior finance role, including international trading and preferably within the defence sector.
• Demonstrated expertise in financial planning, analysis, and strategic decision support.
• Excellent leadership and communication skills, with the ability to influence and collaborate across functions and levels of the organisation.
• Experience working in a fast‑paced, dynamic environment with the ability to adapt to changing priorities and requirements.

Note: Due to the nature of work undertaken at SubSea Craft, the selected candidate must be capable of meeting the security requirements of the position, which would include as a minimum existing right to live and work in the UK, Baseline Personnel Security Standard (BPSS), with UK National security clearance required for certain roles.

Values

Our people are our greatest asset, we continually strive to provide an excellent working environment to enable our team to do their best work. We have an agile professional workforce: we are founded on the belief that our people are valued and our business is trusted, inclusive and commercially‑adept.

What we expect from you

• Teamwork, mutual respect and collaboration
• Initiative and independent working
• Honesty and integrity
• Business and commercial awareness
• Agility, adaptability and continuous development

We are committed to building an inclusive, diverse workplace where everyone can thrive. If you require any support or adjustments to interact with us, please let us know.

Please note that all offers of employment are conditional and subject to satisfactory DBS, driving licence and reference checks. A criminal record will not automatically disqualify candidates from employment. We will consider criminal record information alongside the wider range of evidence gathered at the application, interview, and pre‑employment checking stages.