finance manager in Southampton

A Finance Manager is needed to join GT Wings, an ambitious engineering-led CleanTech / MarineTech company developing wind propulsion systems (AirWing) to help commercial shipping cut fuel use, lower emissions and meet global sustainability targets. GT Wings is in an exciting phase of growth. With our first full-scale AirWing installation completed and more projects in the pipeline, the business is scaling fast, moving from R&D and prototyping into commercial delivery.

What sets GT Wings apart is its engineering-led, mission-driven culture: collaborative, agile, and united by a shared goal to decarbonise global shipping. This new Finance Manager role sits at the heart of the organisation. Reporting to the CFO, you will take ownership of day-to-day finance operations, monthly management accounts, internal controls, statutory compliance, grant claims and R&D submissions. You will also work closely with engineering, operations and commercial teams, providing financial insight as GT Wings scales manufacturing and delivery capability.

It is a hands-on role with genuine visibility across the business, ideal for someone who wants to grow with a high-impact clean-tech company. You will be hands-on, detail-focused and comfortable in a fast-changing environment, someone who can shape processes, not just follow them. This is a full-time position, and candidates must be based on the South Coast (Southampton / M27 corridor) to enable regular in-person collaboration.

Key requirements:

• You should be a qualified and technically strong finance professional with a CV that demonstrates full accounting qualification (ACA / ACCA / CIMA).
• Strong technical accounting knowledge (UK GAAP essential; IFRS desirable).
• Experience preparing monthly management accounts and running month-end.
• Confidence managing day-to-day finance operations: AP/AR, payroll coordination, cashflow, reconciliations.
• Exposure to external audits and ability to act as key liaison with auditors.
• Experience supporting tax compliance (VAT, corporation tax etc.).
• Familiarity with grant claims and/or R&D tax credit submissions (or willingness to learn quickly).
• Proficiency in cloud accounting (Xero preferred) and strong Excel capability.
• Ability to communicate clearly with both finance and non-finance stakeholders.
• A hands-on, improvement-focused mindset suited to a scaling organisation.
• Experience in a start-up, scale-up, engineering, marine or manufacturing environment is advantageous but not essential.

In return, you will join a mission-driven organisation at the forefront of maritime decarbonisation, with a competitive salary (£60-70k DOE), flexible hybrid working, equity potential, pension and benefits package. Expect a collaborative environment, meaningful responsibility, and the chance to help shape the next chapter of a company making a real difference to the planet.

Additional Benefits:

• Bonus Scheme – participation in company discretionary bonus scheme.
• Hybrid working (remote initially) with plans for engineering office near Southampton.
• Monthly company-wide meetings in London (expenses covered).
• 40-hour work week.
• Holiday – 25 days annual leave plus UK bank holidays.
• Pension – enrolment in company pension scheme, 5% company contribution, 5% employee contribution.
• Private health care for you (family can be added on at your cost) - BIK applies.