Financial Controller

Marshall Land Systems; Cambridge; Hybrid; GBP 120,000 - 150,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Hybrid role with on-site 70% of the wk

SC (Security Clearance) eligibility

Pension contributions up to 9%

Private medical insurance

Job summary

Marshall Land Systems in Cambridge seeks a strategic Finance Controller to lead financial governance, planning and reporting during a PE‑backed transformation.

You will partner with the Land leadership team to shape strategy, influence decision‑making, and deliver value creation across international operations and the supply chain. This role offers clear progression to Finance Director as the business scales.

Qualifications

• Significant experience in a senior finance leadership role in PE-backed environments.
• Background in defence, engineering, manufacturing, or complex project-based industries.
• Experience operating in international businesses with FX and cross-border considerations.

Responsibilities

• Contribute to development and delivery of divisional strategic and operational plans.
• Influence business direction as a key Land leadership team member.
• Support investment decisions with financial, commercial, and tax insights.

Skills

Strategic leadership

Stakeholder influence

Matrix organisation experience

Cross-border operations

Education

Chartered Accountant (FCA/ACCA/CIMA)

Tools

ERP systems

Excel

Financial modelling

Job description

Brief Description

Why join Marshall Land Systems in this role:

This role offers an exciting opportunity to step into a highly strategic finance leadership role within a business undergoing significant transformation.

Following the transition from family ownership to private equity backing, the organisation is focused on driving growth, enhancing operational performance, and strengthening financial governance.

This role sits at the heart of that journey, working as a key member of the Land leadership team to shape strategy, influence decision‑making, and deliver value creation.

Responsibilities

• Contribute to the development and delivery of divisional strategic and operational plans
• Act as a key member of the Land leadership team, influencing business direction and performance
• Support sales and investment decision‑making through financial, commercial, and tax
• Support multi‑year business planning processes
• Deliver robust budgeting and forecasting
• Provide insightful analysis to support performance improvement and value creation
• Maintain full accountability for the financial control environment across the division
• Ensure robust, compliant, and efficient financial processes and controls
• Oversee balance sheet integrity, risk management, and audit processes
• Lead the design and delivery of the financial reporting framework
• Provide high‑quality periodic and ad‑hoc reporting to internal leadership and parent
• Deliver meaningful insights to enhance operational and financial decision‑making
• Support complex project‑based delivery, including cost control, margin management, and risk mitigation
• Oversee financial aspects of international operations, including foreign exchange and credit
• Provide financial oversight of supply chain activities and contract performance
• Proactively lead and support business change and improvement initiatives
• Drive efficiencies across Financial Control within the Finance directorate and wider operational processes
• Support ERP and systems optimisation initiatives
• Develop, lead and mentor a high‑performing Financial Control team
• Foster a culture of customer service, accountability, collaboration, and continuous improvement
• Operate effectively within a matrix structure, influencing beyond direct reporting

Requirements

• Significant experience in a senior finance leadership role (Financial Controller, Deputy FD, or equivalent)
• Proven experience within a private equity‑backed environment
• Background in defence, engineering, manufacturing, or complex project‑based industries (defence highly desirable)
• Experience operating in international businesses, including exposure to foreign currency and cross‑border operations
• Strong track record in financial control, reporting, and governance in complex environments
• Experience supporting strategic planning, investment decisions, and business
• Demonstrated success working within matrix organisations and influencing senior

Technical skills / Education

• Fully qualified accountant (FCA, ACCA, CIMA or equivalent)
• Strong technical accounting expertise (UK GAAP / IFRS)
• Experience managing foreign exchange risk, credit risk, and financial instruments
• Understanding of international trade considerations (e.g. bonds, guarantees, overseas deployment models)
• Excel and financial modelling capability
• Experience with ERP systems and finance transformation initiatives
• Strong analytical skills with the ability to translate data into commercial insight

Additional local requirements

• Hybrid role, onsite around 70% of the week
• Successful candidates will need to be eligible to obtain SC (Security Clearance)

Benefits

• Opportunity to play a key leadership role in a PE‑backed transformation journey
• Clear progression pathway to Finance Director or Divisional FD roles
• Direct exposure to board‑level and investor interactions
• Involvement in strategic decision‑making and value‑creation initiatives
• Opportunity to shape and enhance financial control and reporting frameworks
• 27 days holiday increasing with service up to 30 days (option to buy/sell)
• Pension contributions up to 9%
• Private medical insurance for you and your partner
• Company car allowance
• Extensive flexible benefit program including Cycle to Work
• Life assurance at 4x basic salary
• Enhanced parental leave and pay
• Paid volunteering leave
• Access to industry‑leading wellbeing resources and tools

Company Overview

Marshall Land Systems is a Canadian‑owned global company with an unrivaled pedigree of British engineering excellence. From its origins in Cambridge, UK, through more than a century of innovation, pioneering advances from the nose of Concorde to the early hydrogen fuel cell technology that ultimately powered the moon landings, Marshall engineers now continue to innovate specialist vehicles and infrastructure for NATO forces across the world. From bomb disposal vehicles to deployed shelters, from command and control to CT scanners on the battlefield, Marshall Land Systems protects people in critical situations with the very best in engineering. It employs 600 people with major facilities in the UK, Canada, and the Netherlands.