Financial Controller

Marshall Land Systems; Cambridge; On-site; GBP 120,000 - 180,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Leadership path to Finance Director

Board and investor exposure

Strategic transformation work

PE-backed growth focus

ERP and systems optimisation

Job summary

Marshall Land Systems, a Canadian-owned global company with roots in Cambridge, UK, seeks a strategic finance leader to join the Land leadership team. You will shape strategy, influence decision-making, and deliver value creation as the organisation undergoes significant transformation under private equity backing.

The role covers financial control, governance, treasury, reporting, and ERP initiatives, with heavy interaction at board and executive levels across international operations.

Qualifications

• 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.
• Experience operating in international businesses, including cross-border operations.
• Strong track record in financial control, reporting, and governance in complex environments.
• Experience supporting strategic planning, investment decisions, and business growth.
• Demonstrated success working within matrix organisations and influencing senior stakeholders.

Responsibilities

• Influence business direction as a key member of the Land leadership team.
• Design and implement robust internal controls and accounting processes.
• Streamline accounting workflows to drive efficiency and staff satisfaction.
• Support sales and investment decisions with timely financial data and interpretation.
• Maintain accountability for the division's financial control environment.
• Ensure compliant financial processes and robust balance sheet management.
• Lead and deliver ERP and systems optimisation initiatives.
• Develop and mentor a high-performing Financial Control team.

Skills

Financial leadership

Private equity experience

Cross-border ops

Stakeholder management

Financial analysis

Education

Qualified accountant (ACCA/CIMA/FOA)

Tools

ERP systems

Job description

Why join Marshall Land Systems in this role:

This role offers an exciting opportunity to step into a 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 in this role include:

Strategic & Operational Leadership

• Act as a key member of the Land leadership team, influencing business direction and performance
• Design and implement a robust set of internal control and accounting processes to mitigate financial risks and safeguard company assets
• Work to continually streamline accounting workflows to drive efficiency and promote job satisfaction
• Support sales and investment decision-making through sound, timely and relevant financial data and interpretation

Financial Control & Governance

• 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

External and Statutory Reporting

• Preparation and publishing of the annual financial statements in accordance with appropriate accounting guidelines and UK corporate law
• Ensure compliance with tax filings and payroll related submissions
• Act as the main point of contact for external auditors to include the management of this relationship on behalf of the company
• Responsibility for indirect tax filings in the UK and across a small number of countries in the EU

Treasury and Working Capital Management

• Track daily cash inflows / outflows, optimise cash management and identify short-term liquidity needs
• Build and enact short term cashflow forecasts to ensure the business most appropriately manages its operational requirements
• Manage all aspects of foreign currency requirements, from translations and hedging strategies through to adoption of appropriate accounting policies

Reporting & Analysis

• Lead the design and delivery of the financial reporting framework
• Provide timely management reporting to the Board of Directors and Senior Leadership Team to provide a comprehensive view of the financial health of the business

Operational Finance

• Oversee all Accounting functions including ledger management, Accounts payable and receivable and inventory accounting
• Analyse financial results and drive activity on cost optimisation and risk management
• Provide financial oversight of supply chain activities and contract performance

Transformation & Continuous Improvement

• 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

Leadership & Team Development

• Build, 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

Apply if you have most of the following:

• 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
• 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 stakeholders

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
• 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 possible with onsite requirements around 70%
• Successful candidates will need to be eligible to obtain SC (Security Clearance)

The Benefits this role can offer you include:

• Opportunity to play a key leadership role in a PE-backed transformation journey
• Development 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

Marshall Land Systems is a Canadian-owned global company with an unrivalled 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 the UK, Canada, and the Netherlands.