Head of Finance

**Head of Finance & Control**:
**Head of Finance & Control**

Wärtsilä is on a mission to enable sustainable societies through innovation in technology and services. As we change course towards a cleaner, smarter maritime future, we’re looking for top talent to join our team. Are you ready to join us?

We are now looking for Head of Finance & Control to join Wartsila Defence Solutions Limited (WDSL) and lead the Finance team on a permanent basis. You will manage the financial aspects of the company in Havant and be the business partner for WDSL, reporting to the Managing Director but also working closely with other stakeholders. This is an operational accounting role presenting complex information in accessible language to colleagues with non-accounting backgrounds.

This role will be a key contributor to the delivery of the company strategy across all areas of the business. The successful applicant will need to be challenging assumptions and decision making in the business as appropriate and providing financial analysis and guidance on all activities, plans, targets and business drivers.

You will need to establish a high level of credibility, creating strong working relationships with internal & external stakeholders.

**What will I be doing?**

As the Head of Finance and Company Secretary you will be working alongside the Managing Director and the SLS Director of Business Control, to be a forward-thinking business partner for the WDSL business.
- To ensure that the reporting of financial figures gives a true and fair view of the company’s financial position including analyses and detailed understanding of variances and key drivers.
- Lead & develop the Finance team comprised of a Financial Accountant, Financial Analyst, Accounts Receivable & Payable Accountants.
- Actively monitor the data of all revenue streams and capacity costs and support management in financial aspects and achievement of targets, including the financial planning and target setting of Capex proposals, FTEs, costs and margins.
- Manage cash, cash flow, forecasts capex and forex activities in line with UK and Group requirements and ensure appropriate controls are in place and adhered to. Manage all tax and HMRC activities with third party advisors (as required).
- Proactively address risks and opportunities and support Management and the wider Shaft Line Solutions Business Control team.
- Providing financial and operational analysis to Management for informed decision making.
- Own and prepare the statutory accounts.
- Secure compliance of commercial matters to internal policies, internal controls, statutory and corporate regulations and approval matrices.
- Co-ordinate all Finance related internal and external audit activities.
- Corporate finance: manage in line with the corporate accounting manual and company policies regarding capital requirements, debt, taxation, equity, disposals and acquisitions, as appropriate.
- Perform monthly closing and reporting activities: actual, variance analysis, rolling forecast for legal entity and business line.
- Ensuring that controls are in place for a manufacturing business, including costing, margin analysis, manufacturing variances, inventory management etc.
- Ensure that company financial systems are robust, compliant and support current activities and future growth.
- Review, challenge and approve quotes and bids over a reasonable size to ensure that true costs are included with a view to delivering profitability and supporting business growth in line with the Sales Contract Policy.
- Any other duties as and when required.

**What do I need to be considered for this role?**
- Master or Bachelor degree in Business Administration / Finance and Accounting or similar.
- Qualified accountant desirable.
- Minimum 5 years of proven experience in Project Controlling, Business Control in preferably an international industrial organization.
- An understanding of operational and supply chain factors on financial performance of a manufacturing & project based business.
- Strong collaboration and interpersonal skills make the required interactions easier and more efficient as you will need to effectively engage with stakeholders from all levels within our business including accounting colleagues, management, and executives.
- You are able to work in a complex matrix organization and are flexible to fit and act in a fast changing organizational environment
- Fluent in English
- Experience of using SAP, HFM (hyperion), QlikView reports and MS Office desirable.
- You have strong analytical thinking capability and excellent communication skills in English both oral and written.
- Be able to handle multiple projects simultaneously, achieve results, decisiveness and action orientation. You are independent and show initiative with an entrepreneurial spirit.
- Flexibility and willingness to learn and grow along the business requirements
- Ability to work under time pressure and with tight deadlines

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