At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead strategic portfolio management and financial performance in the Civil Aerospace division.
- Company: Join Rolls-Royce, a leader in aerospace innovation and technology.
- Benefits: Generous annual leave, retirement savings, life assurance, and share ownership opportunities.
- Other info: Collaborative culture that values individuality and offers excellent career development.
- Why this job: Make a real impact in aerospace while driving sustainable growth and operational excellence.
- Qualifications: Degree in Engineering, Business, or Finance; advanced degree and accounting qualification preferred.
The predicted salary is between 75000 - 100000 £ per year.
An exciting opportunity has arisen for a Senior Vice President Portfolio Management and Finance to join the Civil Aerospace Team in Derby. The SVP Portfolio Management and Finance is a key member of the Civil Aerospace leadership group, responsible for the strategic management of the division's portfolio and financial performance. The role ensures optimal allocation of resources, robust financial management, and delivery of the division's strategic objectives. This includes prioritising our Civil portfolio (Capital, Engineering and Project Management) to deliver maximum value for the business, balancing change initiatives with business-as-usual activities, and driving sustainable growth, operational excellence, and financial integrity.
Responsibilities
- Strategic Portfolio & Financial Leadership: Lead the development and execution of the Civil Aerospace portfolio and financial strategy, ensuring alignment with overall business objectives. Partner with business and engineering leadership to drive value, support strategic and operational decision-making, and ensure delivery of performance commitments. Provide strategic insights based on industry trends, competitor dynamics, and scenario planning. Translate Group and Civil strategy into a clear, prioritised portfolio, maximising value from key resource constraints — engineering, capital and project management. Ensure all programmes and investments align to strategic objectives, deliver on financial forecasts and create value, maintaining a balance between short and long term. Lead Civil portfolio governance (PDG, PPG) to maximise value and manage risks and drive effective decision making. Collaborate with ET&S and across Group to implement an effective portfolio operating model with aligned prioritisation and governance. Ensure the portfolio is deliverable within resource and financial constraints, resolving conflicts across investment envelopes. Mature the Civil portfolio operating model to deliver the 5-year ambition and Hoshin Kanri roadmap to be best in class for portfolio management. Lead the Civil portfolio network – SVP Programme & Portfolio community collaboration.
- Financial Management & Performance: Responsible for Portfolio Planning financial management and performance. Lead effective and efficient financial management of Civil's capital and engineering spend and resources, maintaining professional standards and compliance with internal and external financial policies. Oversee corporate governance, risk management, and control procedures. Lead investment appraisals and business case development, providing financial input and guidance to key decisions. Support and coordinate annual budget and forecasting processes, providing relevant financial analysis and challenge. Provide timely, insightful analysis and commentary on financial results, performance trends, and variance analysis. Enhance transparency, accountability, and corporate governance across all portfolio and financial activities. Ensure robust reporting, risk management, and compliance with internal and external standards. Build and maintain strong relationships with internal and external stakeholders, including senior managers, finance teams, and external bodies (e.g., audit firms, tax auditors).
- Team Leadership & Development: Lead, develop, and mentor the Finance and Portfolio Management teams, ensuring alignment with business needs and integration with the wider Civil Aerospace function. Lead our Portfolio Planning people vision to be the place where people choose to grow, ensuring effective performance management, succession planning and talent development.
Qualifications
- Degree in Engineering, Business, Finance, or a related field; advanced degree (MBA, MSc) preferred.
- Accounting qualification (ACCA, CIMA, ICAEW, ICAS, or equivalent) highly desirable.
- Professional certification in portfolio, programme, or project management (e.g., MoP, MSP, PMP, PgMP) highly desirable.
Preferred requirements
- Proven experience in portfolio, programme, or project management and financial leadership at a senior level, ideally within aerospace or a complex engineering environment.
- Strong financial acumen and experience managing large-scale budgets, resource allocation, and investment decisions.
- Demonstrated ability to drive strategic alignment, deliver measurable business benefits, and support change management.
- Expertise in benefits realisation, continuous improvement, and use of finance systems.
- Excellent stakeholder management, communication, and influencing skills.
- Strong understanding of corporate governance, risk management, and compliance frameworks.
- Experience leading teams in a changing business environment and working with external bodies.
- Strategic thinker with a results-driven mindset.
- Collaborative leader with the ability to inspire and influence at all levels.
- High integrity, accountability, and commitment to excellence.
- Adaptable and resilient in a fast-paced, dynamic environment.
Additional information
At Rolls-Royce we are proud to be a business that has truly helped to shape the modern world and are committed to always being a force for progress; powering, protecting and connecting people everywhere. By joining Rolls-Royce, you'll have the opportunity to work on world-class solutions, supported by a culture that believes individuality is our greatest strength, and all perspectives, experiences and backgrounds help us innovate and enable our high-performance culture.
Regionally, benefits include: Generous Annual Leave; Retirement Savings through the Rolls-Royce Retirement Savings Trust; Group Life Assurance; Group Income Protection; Your Shares: Matched is a simple way to own Rolls-Royce shares and invest in our future, together. Buy one share, get one free!
SVP Civil Aerospace Portfolio Management and Finance employer: Rolls-royce
Rolls-Royce is an exceptional employer, offering a dynamic work environment in Derby where innovation and collaboration thrive. With a strong commitment to employee growth, we provide extensive development opportunities and a culture that values diverse perspectives, ensuring every team member can contribute to our mission of shaping the modern world. Our generous benefits package, including annual leave, retirement savings, and share ownership schemes, reflects our dedication to supporting our employees both personally and professionally.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land SVP Civil Aerospace Portfolio Management and Finance
✨Join Aerospace Forums and Groups
Get involved in aerospace engineering forums and online communities, like the AIAA (American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics). It's a great way to meet industry peers and stay updated on job openings and trends in the field.
✨Attend Industry Conferences
Keep an eye on upcoming aerospace conferences and events where you can network with professionals and showcase your interest. Events like the Farnborough International Airshow are not just about flying machines; they're a goldmine for connections and potential job leads.
✨Spotlight Your Projects
Make sure to highlight any hands-on experience or projects on your portfolio that showcase your skills in aerospace engineering. Employers love seeing practical applications of theoretical knowledge. Show us what you've got!
✨Apply Directly on Company Websites
When you find companies you want to work for, head straight to their careers page to apply for full-time roles, like the one with Rolls-royce for a SVP Civil Aerospace Portfolio Management and Finance. This often puts your application in front of the right people faster than just waiting for job boards!
We think you need these skills to ace SVP Civil Aerospace Portfolio Management and Finance
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Off Your Technical Skills:When applying for the aerospace engineering role at Rolls-royce, make sure to highlight your technical expertise. Include specific software skills, like CAD tools or simulation software, and any relevant engineering projects you’ve worked on. This is your chance to really shine and showcase your engineering toolkit!
Don't Skip Your Projects!:Include a section in your CV dedicated to projects that demonstrate your problem-solving abilities in aerospace engineering. Whether it's a university project, an internship, or personal work, we love seeing how you’ve applied your skills in real-world scenarios. Make it clear what your role was and the impact of the project.
Show Your Passion in Your Cover Letter:At Rolls-royce, we're not just looking for skills – we want to know why you’re passionate about aerospace engineering. Use your cover letter to express what excites you about aviation technology and your career goals. Share any relevant experiences or inspirations that have led you to apply for this full-time position.
Tailor Your CV for Aerospace:Make sure your CV is specifically tailored to aerospace engineering. Focus on your education, any certifications, and your work experience, ensuring you highlight aspects that relate directly to the role. Don’t forget to mention any internships or apprenticeships that have given you hands-on experience.
How to prepare for a job interview at Rolls-royce
✨Brush Up on Your Technical Knowledge
Aerospace engineering is all about technical precision, so make sure you’re comfortable with key concepts like aerodynamics, propulsion, and materials science. We recommend going through any relevant coursework or projects you’ve worked on – these real-world examples can illustrate your understanding during the interview with Rolls-royce.
✨Showcase Your Projects with Confidence
Make sure to have a portfolio ready that details any significant projects you've worked on, whether it’s a group assignment or a personal endeavour. Be prepared to discuss the challenges you faced, the tools you used, like CAD software, and what you learned from the experience, as this will show your problem-solving skills in action.
✨Prepare for Technical Interviews
Expect some technical questions or even problem-solving exercises during your interview with Rolls-royce. Get familiar with design challenges or theoretical problems related to aerospace; this can range from calculating lift and drag forces to materials selection under stress. Practising these can help you feel more at ease when faced with tricky questions.
✨Emphasise Your Passion and Teamwork Skills
As a full-time candidate, it’s crucial to convey your passion for aerospace engineering and your ability to work in teams. Highlight any group projects or internships you've done, focusing on how you collaborated with others to achieve a goal. Companies like Rolls-royce love seeing candidates who not only have technical skills but also fit well within their team culture.
