Director of Finance

NATO; Northwood; On-site; GBP 125,000 - 150,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading international military organization in Northwood is seeking a Director of Finance to oversee financial management operations. You will lead budgeting processes, ensure compliance with NATO regulations, and provide strategic guidance on financial matters. The ideal candidate will have extensive experience in financial management and excellent communication skills, with the ability to work in a multinational environment.

Qualifications

• At least 10 years related professional experience in finance, management, or accounting.
• Sufficient legal knowledge and experience to make informed financial decisions.
• Master's degree in finance or related discipline is desirable.

Responsibilities

• Oversee all financial management operations at HQ MARCOM.
• Forecast, monitor, and manage appropriated funds following NATO regulations.
• Lead financial strategy and budgeting processes for HQ operations.

Skills

Financial management

Excellent communication and negotiation skills

Experience working in a multi-national environment

Education

University Degree in finance, accounting, business administration, economics or related discipline

Tools

Oracle E-Business Suite Financials Applications

Job description

OPEN TO NATIONALS OF NATO MEMBER STATES ONLY

Post Number: OMC BXXX 0010
Job Title: Director of Finance
NATO Grade: A4/G20
NATO Body: Headquarters Allied Maritime Command
Location: Northwood, Middlesex, UK
SECURITY CLEARANCE: NATO SECRET
Basic Monthly Salary: 8,495.61 GBP (tax free)
Closing date: 16 November 2025

1. Post Context/Post Summary

Allied Maritime Command is the Maritime Theatre Component Commander delivering 360 degree maritime focused awareness and connectivity while planning and commanding the full range of maritime operations.

The N8 Directorate is responsible for overseeing all financial and budgetary activity within HQ MARCOM.

The Director of Finance (N8)/Financial Controller (FC) is responsible for providing the full budgetary, accounting and acquisition services for HQ MARCOM, operations, exercises and sub-units. The FC has overall responsibility for financial risk management, internal control and internal and external audit engagement. He/she is the critical link to the senior management team on all financial matters.

2. Principal Duties

1. Acts as the Director of Finance/N8 and HQ MARCOM’s Financial Controller. Serves as senior responsible executive for all financial management operations. S/he directs and manages the Directorate of Finance Branch Heads and their team members.
2. Forecasts, monitors, executes and accounts for appropriated and non-appropriated funds in accordance with NATO Financial Regulations (NFRs), Financial Rules and Procedures (FRPs), published directives and other instructions provided by SHAPE.
3. Performs financial analysis of military requirements to ensure the most economical use of limited resources.
4. Leads and directs the preparation of the annual and mission specific financial plans, Allied Operations Requirements Resource Plans (ARRP), and the Consolidated Resource Proposal (CRP), which in turn all feed into the Medium Term Resource Plan (MTRP) and budget estimates.
5. Promulgates budgetary and financial guidance in accordance with the resource planning goals.
6. Leads on the development of financial annexes and supporting budgets for operational and contingency plans and participates in committees related to operational planning.
7. Provides direction and guidance on the adequacy, status, propriety, eligibility and affordability of resources provided by NATO, Multinational Agreements between participating NATO Nations, Command Morale and Welfare Activities, and advance funding, from other supported nations and agencies.
8. Leads as the Office of Primary Responsibility (OPR) for policy pertaining to the procurement, contracting, receipt, accounting, disposal for command expenditures and property.
9. Monitors and influences, providing direction and guidance on the financial aspects of all HQ MARCOM activities, to improve financial performance in order to deliver objectives. Working in partnership with other directorates and divisions across the HQ.
10. As Financial Controller:
1. Provides advice to the Commander (COM) regarding all budget/finance-related and contractual issues and processes; his/her assessments constitute binding advice and can only be overruled by the ACO FC or the NATO Budget Committee (BC).
2. Represents COM at the BC, and other ACO committees, boards, working groups, etc., as required. In this function they provide additional information and justification. They address specific topics such as budget, MOU’s, contracts, invoices and any other activities having financial implications.
3. Oversees financial internal control activities on behalf of HQ MARCOM in conjunction with the financial Internal Control Officer, with the aim of strengthening internal control, implementing corporate governance procedures, risk management and internal controls.
4. Provides subjects (based on risk management) to ACO to be audited by the ACO Audit and Inspection Branch, to monitor fiscal and procedural compliance to NFRs/FRPs, ACO Financial Directives, and supports ACO Audit & Inspection Branch and International Board of Auditor activities.
5. Develops and executes financial, budgetary, accounting, treasury and procurement policies and procedures in accordance with the NFRs/FRPs and other supplementing instructions given by the SHAPE and BC.
6. Provides direction and guidance on a variety of HQ Boards and Committees covering appropriated and non-appropriated funds, covering all decisions with financial implications.
7. Monitors all procurement and contracting activities in accordance with NATO and SC guidance and directives and directs/tasks agencies.
8. Leads on the provision of budgetary, accounting and Procurement and Contracting P&C services to deployed NATO and multinational headquarters.
9. Leads budget pre-screenings during the execution process and annual budget preparation process and presents the financial position to the ACO Financial Controller and the BC.
10. Provides direction and guidance on the financial aspects of Host Nation Support agreements, Garrison Support arrangements and the related administration.
11. Sets the vision for the Directorate of Finance embedding it; ensuring it plays a key role in strategic organisational improvement.
12. Submits observations in his/her area of expertise and contributes to the Lessons Learned process.
13. Legal Authority - In accordance with the NATO Financial Regulations and their implementing Rules and Procedures, the Financial Controller is responsible for exercising fiduciary responsibilities as part of the contract approvals process. Responsible for approving deviations to procurement procedures and cash/property write-offs (within delegated limits) and verifies that procurement and contracting principles are adhered to through the establishment of internal controls.
14. Budget Authority - Exercises delegated Financial Controller authority for the HQ installation. Responsible for leading the management of the HQ budget and Alliance Operations and Missions (AOM) budget and elements of centralised budgets allocated to the HQ. Sets strategy to ensure that divisional budgets and financial plans are screened for quality, accuracy, and compliance with policy. Provides direction and guidance to the Commander, the COS, the Command Group and all divisional budget holders on appropriate budgetary practice and financial regulations.
15. Decision Authority - None.
16. Committee Participation: Military Budget Committee – Contributor.

3. Special Requirements and Additional Duties

The employee may be required to perform a similar range of duties elsewhere within the organisation at the same grade without there being any change to the contract

The incumbent may be required to undertake operational deployments and/or TDY assignments both within and without NATO's boundaries for up to 30 days.

The work is normally performed in a Normal NATO office working environment / Secure office environment with artificial light and air (e.g. Bunker).

Normal Working Conditions apply.

The risk of injury is categorised as No risk / risk might increase when deployed.

4. Essential Qualifications

a. Professional/Experience

1) Financial management

Experience:

A proven record of successful performance in challenging leadership positions.

Sufficient legal knowledge and experience to determine when legal aspects are material to financial decisions and procedures.

Excellent communication and negotiation skills.

Experience of working in a multi-national environment.

At least 10 years related professional experience in economics, accounting, business administration, finance, management or related discipline.

(2) Business finance

Finance, banking and insurance is the study of planning, directing, organizing and controlling financial activities and services. It includes the control and monitoring of the financial resources of organizations, institutions and individuals, and the provision of financial services at the corporate and individual level.

Skill Level (Set strategy, inspire, mobilise)

At the highest organisational level, has authority over all aspects of a significant area of work, including policy formation and application. Is fully accountable for actions taken and decisions made, both by self and others to whom responsibilities have been assigned. Makes decisions critical to organisational success. Inspires the organisation, and influences developments within the industry at the highest levels. Advances the knowledge and/or exploitation of technology within one or more organisations. Develops long-term strategic relationships with customers, partners, industry leaders and government. Leads on the formulation and implementation of strategy. Applies the highest level of leadership skills. Has a deep understanding of the industry and the implications of emerging technologies for the wider business environment. Has a full range of strategic management and leadership skills. Understands, explains and presents complex ideas to audiences at all levels in a persuasive and convincing manner. Has a broad and deep business knowledge, including the activities and practices of other organisations. Communicates the potential impact of emerging practices and technologies on organisations and individuals and assesses the risks of using or not using such practices and technologies. Assesses the impact of legislation and actively promotes compliance. Ensures that the organisation develops and mobilises the full range of required digital skills and capabilities.

b. Education/Training

University Degree in finance, accounting, business administration, economics, public administration or related discipline and 6 years post related experience, or Higher Secondary education and completed advanced vocational training in that discipline leading to a professional qualification or professional accreditation with 6 years post related and 2 years function related experience.

The additional job specific qualifications and experience is described under Professional/Experience paragraph (4/a). In case of ambiguity the required job specific experience have priority over the standard education and training levels and experience described here.

c. Language

English - SLP 4343 - (Listening, Speaking, Reading and Writing)

NOTE: The work both oral and written in this post and in this Headquarters is conducted mainly in English.

5. Desirable Qualifications

a. Professional Experience

Experience with the use of Oracle E-Business Suite Financials Applications

Experience with the use of COSO as an internal control reference framework.

Experience with the use of international accounting standards such as IFRS or IPSAS.

b. Education/Training

An advanced level (or post-graduate) internationally, nationally, or government recognised professional certification or accreditation in any of the following fields:

Accounting certification from a member body of IFAC (e.g., CPA, CMA, CGMA, ACCA, etc.) or national/government equivalent certification or credentials.

Master’s degree in finance, accounting, business administration, economics, public administration or related discipline.

Treasury certification (e.g., AMCT or CTP) or government-equivalent certification or accreditation.

Certification from a member body of the IFPSM or equivalent national professional or government procurement certification or credentials (e.g., CIPS Level 6 or CPCM level certifications).

Professional Management or Leadership certification (e.g., NATO Executive Development Program or NATO Management Development Program or equivalent internationally, nationally or government recognised management accreditation).

Course: ETE-SP-2581 - NATO Senior Officer Policy Course

c. Language

English 4444

6. Attributes/Competencies

Personal Attributes: Mature and diplomatic individual possessing sound judgment, flexibility, and persuasive personality. Excellent communication and negotiation skills. A good deal of thought and judgment are required in this position.

Competencies:

· Strategic thinking and leadership, ability to provide strategic direction and priorities to their division in alignment with local command and strategic ACO’s mission and objectives.

· Governance and Risk Management, advanced understanding of internal control frameworks and capacity to design, monitor, and improve risk management processes within their division.

· Stakeholder Engagement, Strong skills in presenting complex financial, budgeting, or procurement data to HQ leadership, governing bodies (e.g., Budget Committee), and external stakeholders.

· Experience in building consensus among stakeholders with diverse priorities.

· Change Management: Expertise in leading organizational change initiatives, including process improvement and technology adoption (e.g., ERP systems, robotic process automation).

· Policy Development: ability to develop, implement, and ensure compliance with financial, procurement, and budgeting policies.

· Mentorship and Talent Development: Skills in mentoring high-potential staff and fostering a culture of continuous improvement.

· Strong sense of integrity and alignment with the values of the organisation.

Professional Contacts: Executes duties and functions requiring frequent internal and external contacts, including co-ordination and negotiations on behalf of the Commander with senior civilian and military host-nation authorities. Frequently interacts with senior NATO authorities, including BC representatives and senior military personnel. Maintains a high level of co-ordination with the HQ Legal Advisor and ACO Financial Controller

Contribution To Objectives: The effective management and administration of HQ Allied Maritime Command Northwood financial functions is considered vital to the achievement of operational objectives and the HQ mission. The Financial Controller’s proactive identification of resources requirements and effective communication of financial information to the funding nations is essential to establishing military capabilities.

This post reports to: MAROCM’s Chief of Staff

This post does not deputises anybody.

This post is deputised by: Branch Head (Finance and Accounting) or Branch Head (Budget)

7. Remarks

N/A