Finance Director

Contract Type: Permanent - Full Time
Base: Crawley, West Sussex (Our Gatwick office) with frequent travel to our Westferry, Canary Wharf office
We are the UK's aviation and aerospace regulator and recognised as a world leader in its field. Our activities are diverse, enabling the aviation industry to meet the highest safety standards, and we pride ourselves on our ability to adapt to the constantly evolving aviation environment.
The Head of Strategic Finance, Planning, and Risk is a key leadership role responsible for developing the organisation's financial strategy and overseeing the implementation of a financially sustainable operating model that aligns with the organisation's strategic goals. This role will lead the development of a strategic integrated planning capability, ensuring the organisation adopts a medium to long-term planning approach.
The incumbent will play a crucial role in embedding finance at the core of decision-making processes, ensuring a balanced approach to strategic ambition, operational delivery, risk management, sustainability, and value for money. By integrating financial strategy with organisational planning and risk management, the Head of Strategic Finance, Planning, and Risk will ensure that the organisation is well-positioned to achieve its objectives while maintaining financial stability and resilience.
Financial Sustainability
Financial Sustainability & Value for Money: Lead the strategic development of initiatives that ensure the organisation's financial sustainability, embedding a culture focused on value for money throughout the organisation.
Long-Term Financial Planning: Oversee the implementation of financial models that support and facilitate long-term financial planning, ensuring they are robust and aligned with the organisation's goals.
Funding Model Development: Lead the strategic development and implementation of the funding model, ensuring clear communication with customers, colleagues, and government stakeholders. Strategic Integrated Planning
Strategic Integrated Planning: Lead the development and implementation of a strategic integrated planning framework that encompasses financial, corporate, resource planning, and risk management. Oversee all planning activities to ensure cohesion and effectiveness.
Ensure alignment of financial planning processes with the organisation's strategic objectives, fostering synergy across departments.
Network Development: Build and maintain a network of key stakeholders across the organisation to facilitate medium to long-term planning, supporting both strategic and operational goals.
Risk Management
Enterprise Risk Management (ERM) Integration: Lead efforts to embed the organisation's Enterprise Risk Management (ERM) Framework into the core of the CAA, making it an integral part of the organisation's culture and operations.
Continuous Improvement of Risk Management: Sustain momentum in risk management by evolving the ERM framework with a sharper focus on risk appetite for corporate risks. Provide regular updates to the Executive Committee (ExCo), Board, and Audit Committee.
Effective Risk Mitigation: Ensure that the CAA's first line of defence effectively identifies, assesses, and manages risks. Develop and implement mitigation strategies that safeguard consumers and the public, support the CAA's strategic objectives, and maintain the organisation's financial health.
ERM Integration in Planning: Seamlessly integrate enterprise risk management into the organisation's strategic and financial planning processes, ensuring a holistic approach to risk and resource management.
Strategic Financial Analysis: Deliver comprehensive financial analysis, insights, and guidance to inform and support strategic decision-making across the organisation.
Integrated Decision-Making: Ensure that finance, planning, and risk management are central to decisions, effectively balancing ambition, delivery, risk, and value.
Business Case Support: Assist in the development of business cases for strategic initiatives, emphasising value-for-money and ensuring that significant investments are backed by thorough and robust analysis.
Strategic Alignment: Collaborate closely with the CFO and other senior leaders to ensure alignment between financial strategies and the organisation's broader strategic objectives.
Team Leadership and Development: Lead and mentor a team of finance, planning, and risk professionals. Cultivate a culture of empowerment, inclusivity, and ownership, driving high performance, productivity, and innovation at both individual and team levels.
Culture of Excellence: Promote a culture of continuous improvement and excellence in financial management, integrated planning, and risk management, ensuring the organisation remains agile and forward-thinking.
Stakeholder Engagement: Actively engage with key stakeholders to communicate and align on financial strategies and plans, ensuring broad understanding and support.
Transparency and Accountability: Ensure transparency and accountability in financial reporting, organisational performance, and risk management, maintaining the integrity of all reporting processes.
External Representation: Represent the organisation in external financial, strategic planning, and risk forums, as well as governance boards, advocating for the organisation's interests and objectives.
Financial Leadership at CAAi: As the CAAi Finance Director, provide expert financial advice and guidance to managers and staff, supporting the company in achieving its objectives and driving financial success.
Professional Accounting Qualification: Hold a professional accounting qualification (e.g., ACA, ACCA, CIMA) with a minimum of 10 years of post-qualification experience.
Senior Finance Experience: Proven experience in a senior finance role, demonstrating the ability to lead and manage financial operations effectively.
Demonstrated experience in delivering change across strategic planning, financial modelling, and enterprise risk management.
Analytical and Problem-Solving Skills: Exhibit excellent analytical and problem-solving abilities, crucial for navigating complex financial and strategic challenges.
Possess strong communication and people skills, with the ability to effectively influence decision-making at the Executive and Board levels.
Financial Planning Proficiency: Maintain a high level of proficiency in financial planning and analysis tools, ensuring accurate and insightful financial management.
Strategic Vision: Be a strategic thinker with a clear vision for financial sustainability and growth, driving long-term success.
We are passionate about diversity and ensuring all are included at the CAA. As a member of the Disability Confident scheme, applicants who meet the minimum criteria for a role with us will be guaranteed an interview. It also means that you may become involved in activities that take you out of your day-to-day role, providing you with opportunities to develop and grow your career with us.
We have embraced hybrid working and offer flexible working patterns, being open to having a conversation about what works for you. We know where and when we work is important in achieving a work-life balance.
We offer a range of excellent benefits such as flexible working arrangements, free onsite gym at Gatwick, discounted gym membership for London, 28 days annual leave, additional 5 days leave purchase scheme, a generous pension scheme and much more
Closing Date: Tuesday 3rd January 2025
Interview Date: Friday 31st January 2025
No recruitment agencies please.
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