Financial Controller

Leonardo UK Ltd; Caddington; Hybrid; GBP 50,000 - 70,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading aerospace and defense company is seeking a Financial Controller to provide financial leadership within the Solutions, Service & Support Sector. This role involves financial control, compliance management, and influencing business decisions. Responsibilities include delivering management accounts, leading a small finance team, and ensuring adherence to financial policies. The ideal candidate is a fully qualified accountant with excellent communication skills and experience in project accounting. Flexible working options available.

Benefits

Generous leave with additional flexi-days

Up to 15% employer pension contribution

Free access to mental health support

Bonus scheme eligibility

Access to online courses

Financial rewards for referral

Flexible benefits spending

Flexible working hours

Qualifications

• Fully qualified accountant (part qualified may be considered).
• Excellent interpersonal & strong communication skills.
• Ideally have experience in project / contract accounting.
• Proficient in MS Excel and preferably experienced in SAP.

Responsibilities

• Deliver high-quality management accounts and financial reporting.
• Influence and provide objective challenge to VPs and IPTs.
• Deputise for VP Finance CS3 with full delegated authority.
• Lead the financial education of non-finance staff.

Job description

Job Description

Your impact

We have a fantastic opportunity for a Financial Controller to provide the financial leadership within the SSS (Solutions, Service & Support) Sector of our CS3 (Customer Support and Service Solutions) Line of Business. The position works directly for the VP Finance and provides financial control, advice and support to the Sector Vice President and their integrated project teams. Leading a small team, this role would manage and be responsible for all financial and project reporting requirements, providing accurate, timely and relevant management information as well as providing advice and guidance to the integrated project teams.

You will have responsibility for ensuring compliance with internal and external financial Policies and currently adopted accounting standards. As an integral part of the sector management team, this role is a business accounting role and therefore financial leadership within the sectors is crucial.

This role is a full time role based at any of our major sites: Luton, Basildon, Edinburgh, with occasional travel to the other sites. There will be the ability for Custom Working, involving some working from home dependent upon the requirements of the functional team and the integrated project teams that are being supported by this role.

In this role you will

• Have absolute responsibility for the delivery of high quality management accounts and financial reporting to sector VPs & VP Finance at monthly Finance / Quarterly Business Reviews. Responsible for forecasts, risks & opportunities information to be presented to VP Finance and SVP.
• Have a keen interest in business winning, supporting campaign teams, and a competency in modelling and scenario analysis.
• Influence and provide objective challenge to VPs and IPTs with the aim to control cost & deliver improved profit performance / working capital management.
• Deputise forVP Finance CS3 with full delegated authority as required
• Objectively review and give Business Area approval to the business cases / tender vets / capital associated with investment requests for strategic product development / new business winning opportunities. Provide robust challenge to VPs and IPTs. Give recommendations and feedback as required.
• Full accountability for the financial input to the business plan for Business Areas. Provision of the Strategic Plan, annual budget and growth options for Business Areas prior to VP Finance and SVP review. This includes financial scenario planning & sensitivity analysis. Success depends on influencing, challenging & working closely with IPTs to deliver a robust plan
• Continual process improvements implemented to make more efficient and effective use of resources.
• Lead the financial education of non-finance staff operating within each Business Area, to ensure an appropriate level of financial awareness and that leads sound financial decision-making.
• Responsibility for effective business governance & compliance with International Financial Reporting Standards, Leonardo Directives and Leonardo Ltd Finance Policies Manual.
• Responsible for the development of CS3 finance team under your control through coaching and education, ensuring policy adherence, process improvements and that skills / knowledge are developed.

What you’ll bring

• Fully qualified accountant (part qualified may be considered).
• Excellent interpersonal & strong communication skills, with a challenging mind-set
• Ideally have experience in project / contract accounting
• Be proficient in MS Excel and preferably experience in SAP
• Proactive in approach
• Ability to re-prioritise to meet key deadlines
• Focus on high quality, accurate output and support
• You will be an enthusiastic individual, eager to do the job and excited about the projects / contracts you will be working with.

Security Clearance

This role is subject to pre-employment screening in line with the UK Government’s Baseline Personnel Security Standard (BPSS). An additional range of Personnel Security Controls referred to as National Security Vetting (NSV) may apply, this could include meeting the eligibility requirements for The Security Check (SC) or Developed Vetting (DV). For more information and guidance please visit: https://careers.uk.leonardo.com/gb/en/security-and-vetting

Why join us

At Leonardo, our people are at the heart of everything we do. We offer a comprehensive, company-funded benefits package that supports your wellbeing, career development, and work–life balance. Whether you're looking to grow professionally, care for your health, or plan for the future, we’re here to help you thrive.

• Time to Recharge: Enjoy generous leave with the opportunity to accrue up to 12 additional flexi-days each year.
• Secure your Future: Benefit from our award-winning pension scheme with up to 15% employer contribution.
• Your Wellbeing Matters: Free access to mental health support, financial advice, and employee-led networks championing inclusion and diversity (Enable, Pride, Equalise, Armed Forces, Carers, Wellbeing and Ethnicity).
• Rewarding Performance: All employees at management level and below are eligible for our bonus scheme.
• Never Stop Learning: Free access to 4,000+ online courses via Coursera and LinkedIn Learning.
• Refer a friend: Receive a financial reward through our referral programme.
• Tailored Perks: Spend up to £500 annually on flexible benefits including private healthcare, dental, family cover, tech & lifestyle discounts, gym memberships and more.
• Flexible working: Flexible hours with hybrid working options. For part time opportunities, please talk to us about what might be possible for this role.

For a full list of our company benefits please visit our website.

Leonardo is a global leader in Aerospace, Defence, and Security. Headquartered in Italy, we employ over 53,000 people worldwide including 8,500 across 9 sites in the UK. Our employees are not just part of a team—they are key contributors to shaping innovation, advancing technology, and enhancing global safety.

At Leonardo we are committed to building an inclusive, accessible, and welcoming workplace. We believe that a diverse workforce sparks creativity, drives innovation, and leads to better outcomes for our people and our customers. If you have any accessibility requirements to support you during the recruitment process, just let us know.

Be part of something bigger - apply now!

Primary Location

GB - Luton - Cap. Green 300

Additional Locations

GB - Basildon, GB - Edinburgh

Contract Type

Permanent

Hybrid Working