Senior Finance Director

It's not just about your career or job title… It's about who you are and the impact you will make on the world. Because whether it's for each other or our customers, we put People First. When our people come together, we Expand the Possible and continuously look for ways to improve what we create and how we do it. If you are constantly striving to grow, you're in good company. We are revolutionizing the way the world moves for future generations, and we want someone who is ready to move with us.

Role Overview

As the Finance Director for Transit Services Group (TSG) UK, you will serve as a strategic business partner to the UK Managing Director and leadership team. In this critical role, you will lead the UK finance organization, providing comprehensive financial guidance and oversight for UK Transit Services Business. Your primary mission is to drive financial performance and Business transformation through close collaboration with business leaders, while ensuring compliance with corporate policies and statutory requirements. You will work closely with global finance teams to align financial strategy and execution across the Transit Services Group.

Key Responsibilities

Strategic Business Partnering

• Act as a trusted advisor to the TSG UK Managing Director and leadership team.
• Drive transformation projects to improve operational delivery and financial performance.
• Lead commercial initiatives, including pricing strategies, improved bidding processes, and margin optimization.
• Collaborate with global and corporate teams on strategic projects and UK transformation plans.

Financial Management & Reporting

• Ensure accurate monthly and quarterly close processes with robust risk and opportunity management.
• Lead budgeting, forecasting, and strategic planning (STRAP) cycles to support business transformation.
• Reporting Sales and Contract Margin for all Product Lines and Site Functional Costs and Recoveries
• Continuously improve data accuracy and reporting for sales, margin, cost analysis, and variances to targets.
• Provide financial oversight for integration projects and strategic initiatives.

Asset Efficiency

• Drive improvements in asset efficiency, focusing on balance sheet and working capital.
• Optimize cash flow through effective collection strategies and customer arrangements.
• Assess investment opportunities to ensure strong payback and alignment with strategic goals.

Controllership & Compliance

• Maintain compliance with US GAAP, SOX, and Wabtec corporate policies.
• Oversee external audits and statutory accounts for UK entities, including holding companies.
• Manage tax compliance and optimize UK group position through effective use of losses, R&D credits, and patents.
• Act as HMRC Senior Accounting Officer (SAO), ensure appropriate accounting arrangements are in place for UK entities and certify compliance annually with HMRC SAO requirements.
• Lead UK legal entity restructuring and rationalization initiatives.

People & Team Development

• Build and develop a collaborative finance team aligned with OneWabtec principles.
• Foster a culture of accountability, continuous improvement, and community engagement.
• Support CSR initiatives to ensure positive impact on people, industry, and local communities.

Pension Scheme Oversight

• Ensure governance and compliance for UK pension schemes, including Defined Benefit (DB) and Defined Contribution (DC) plans.
• Liaise with trustees, advisors, and auditors to manage funding, valuations, and regulatory requirements.
• Oversee financial reporting and risk management for pension obligations.
• Support strategic decisions on pension funding and employee communications.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's Degree in Accounting, Finance, or related field; professional qualification (ACA, ACCA, CIMA) preferred.
• Minimum 8–10 years of progressive finance experience, including leadership roles.
• Strong analytical and commercial acumen with proven ability to drive transformation.
• Excellent communication and influencing skills with ability to engage senior stakeholders.
• Experience in compliance, statutory reporting, and working in a matrix organization.
• Knowledge of UK pension regulations and experience managing DB/DC schemes.

Desired Characteristics

• Results-oriented problem solver with a proactive mindset.
• Ability to manage competing priorities under pressure.
• Strong leadership and relationship-building skills across functions and geographies.

Who are we?

Wabtec Corporation is a leading global provider of equipment, systems, digital solutions, and value-added services for freight and transit rail as well as the mining, marine, and industrial markets. Drawing on nearly four centuries of collective experience across Wabtec, GE Transportation, and Faiveley Transport, the company has grown to become One Wabtec, with unmatched digital expertise, technological innovation, and world-class manufacturing and services, enabling the digital-rail-and-transit ecosystems.

Wabtec is focused on performance that drives progress and unlocks our customers' potential by delivering innovative and lasting transportation solutions that move and improve the world. We are lifelong learners obsessed with making things better to drive exceptional results. Wabtec has approximately 27K employees in facilities throughout the world. Visit our website to learn more

Our Commitment to Embrace Diversity:

Wabtec is a global company that invests not just in our products, but also our people by embracing diversity and inclusion. We care about our relationships with our employees and take pride in celebrating the variety of experiences, expertise, and backgrounds that bring us together. At Wabtec, we aspire to create a place where we all belong and where diversity is welcomed and appreciated.  

To fulfill that commitment, we rely on a culture of leadership, diversity, and inclusion. We aim to employ the world's brightest minds to help us create a limitless source of ideas and opportunities. We have created a space where everyone is given the opportunity to contribute based on their individual experiences and perspectives and recognize that these differences and diverse perspectives make us better.

We believe in hiring talented people of varied backgrounds, experiences, and styles… People like you Wabtec Corporation is committed to equal employment opportunity regardless of race, color, ancestry, religion, sex, national origin, sexual orientation, age, citizenship, marital status, disability, gender identity or expression, or protected Veteran status. If you have a disability or special need that requires accommodation, please let us know.