Head of Finance Data & Analytics

British Airways; Longford; On-site; GBP 120,000 - 150,000; Full time

Job summary

British Airways is seeking a Head of Finance Data & Analytics to lead a cross‑functional team and transform how Finance uses data to drive decisions, profitability and performance across the group. You will oversee delivery of analytics and AI capabilities, aligning with the Enterprise Data Transformation and working with IAG Group capabilities.

You will partner with Finance leadership to modernise planning, forecasting and reporting, shaping data strategies and ensuring tangible business value

Qualifications

• Senior Finance, data, analytics, AI or technology leadership in a complex organisation delivering outcomes through agile product teams.
• Strong Finance experience including analysis, budgeting, forecasting, management reporting, financial systems and transformation.
• Proven data/AI product and portfolio leadership in an agile/SAFe environment with multidisciplinary teams and measurable outcomes.
• Strong senior business partnering with stakeholders and strategic third parties; cross-country experience desirable.
• Relevant degree or equivalent experience; ACA/ACCA/CIMA, SAP and Anaplan experience desirable; fluent English.

Responsibilities

• Lead the delivery of data, analytics and AI products that support Finance transformation.
• Partner with Finance leaders to improve planning, forecasting, reporting and performance management.
• Develop solutions that combine financial and operational data to improve profitability analysis and decision‑making.
• Lead the development and delivery of analytics and AI solutions that improve Finance planning and performance.
• Collaborate with data science, engineering and wider Data teams to prioritise opportunities and guide delivery.
• Turn ideas into adopted solutions delivering measurable value and improved Finance operations.
• Contribute to profitability, planning and performance models to support strategic decisions.
• Build relationships across Finance, Technology and Transformation to keep priorities aligned.
• Lead, coach and develop a high‑performing data and analytics team.

Skills

Data analytics leadership

Translate business challenges

Stakeholder management

Commercial awareness

Leading multidisciplinary teams

Strategic thinking vs execution

Cross-functional collaboration

Education

Relevant degree or equivalent experience

ACA/ACCA/CIMA

Tools

SAP

Anaplan

Job description

A career without limits

As the nation’s flag carrier, we take great pride in connecting Britain with the world and the world with Britain.

It’s something we’ve been doing for over 100 years, ever since we launched the world’s first international scheduled air service between London and Paris.

This originality has been in our blood since day one. It’s the spirit we share with the people that fly with us, our partners, and our colleagues.

So, whether you are a reassuring voice on the end of a phone, a smile at the door, under a wing keeping the turbines spinning or landing us gently in far-flung places, a job at British Airways is yours to make.

We know great things can happen when you’re inspired to think big and bring your ambition to work every day, which is why, at British Airways the sky is never the limit.

The role:

Head of Finance Data & Analytics

We're looking for a Head of Finance Data & Analytics to play a leading role in the transformation of our Finance function. Reporting to the Director of Transformation Performance, you'll help modernise how Finance plans, measures performance and makes decisions across British Airways.

This is not a traditional Finance role, and it isn't a pure technology role either. It's an opportunity to combine business insight, technology, data and delivery to improve how Finance operates. Working across British Airways and the wider Group, you'll help modernise how financial and operational information is used to support decision‑making, improve profitability and strengthen performance across the business. From route profitability and planning models to the digitalisation of core Finance processes, you'll work on challenges that influence how Finance operates today and how it evolves for the future.

Leading a team including a Senior Data Architect, Principal Data Engineer and Principal Data Scientist, you'll turn complex business requirements into practical solutions that deliver measurable outcomes. You’ll work closely with Data teams and capabilities across British Airways and the IAG Group, contributing to our ambitious Enterprise Data Transformation. This includes developing analytics and AI capabilities that improve decision‑making, increase efficiency and create lasting value for Finance.

You’ll be at your best in this role if you enjoy solving complex business challenges, questioning how things are done today and working with others to deliver something better. We're looking for someone who takes ownership, brings people with them and sees initiatives through to a successful outcome.

Success in this role will come from your ability to challenge constructively, make decisions with confidence and keep momentum behind delivery, ensuring ideas become results that make a measurable difference to the business.

What you'll do

• Lead the delivery of data, analytics and AI products that support the transformation of Finance.
• Partner with Finance leaders to improve planning, forecasting, reporting and performance management.
• Develop solutions that bring together financial and operational data to improve profitability analysis, business performance and decision‑making.
• Lead the development and delivery of analytics and AI solutions that improve how Finance plans, forecasts and measures performance.
• Work collaboratively with data science, engineering, architecture and wider Data teams across British Airways and the IAG Group to prioritise opportunities, guide delivery and support the wider Enterprise Data Transformation.
• Turn ideas into solutions that are adopted, deliver measurable value and improve how Finance operates.
• Contribute to the development of profitability, planning and performance models that support strategic decision‑making.
• Build strong relationships across Finance, Technology and Transformation teams to ensure priorities remain aligned and delivery remains focused.
• Lead, coach and develop a high‑performing team of data and analytics professionals.

What you'll bring

• Experience leading complex data, analytics, technology or transformation initiatives within a large organisation.
• The ability to translate business challenges into practical solutions that deliver measurable outcomes.
• Strong stakeholder management skills, with the confidence to influence, challenge and work effectively with senior leaders.
• Strong commercial awareness and an understanding of how organisations use information to improve performance and decision‑making.
• A track record of leading multidisciplinary teams and delivering through others.
• The ability to balance strategic thinking with execution and delivery.
• Experience working across technical and business teams and bringing people together around common goals.

Qualifications & experience

• Senior Finance, data, analytics, AI or technology leadership in a complex organisation, delivering business outcomes through agile product teams. Essential
• Strong Finance experience, including analysis, budgeting, forecasting, management reporting, financial systems and transformation. Essential
• Proven data/AI product and portfolio leadership in an agile/SAFe environment, leading multidisciplinary teams and measurable outcomes. Essential
• Strong senior business partnering with stakeholders and strategic third parties; experience across countries/cultures desirable. Essential
• Relevant degree or equivalent experience; ACA/ACCA/CIMA, SAP and Anaplan experience desirable; fluent English.

What we offer:

We believe that all the people who work with us should feel valued for the part they play. It’s one of the reasons our rewards go far beyond a competitive salary.

From the day you join us, you’ll get access to brilliant staff travel benefits including unlimited basic and premium standby tickets on British Airways flights. You’ll also receive up to 30 discounted ‘Hotline’ airfares per year for yourself, friends, and family.

At British Airways you’ll have the chance to take on new challenges and move forward in a way that feels right for you. We encourage all those who work for us to consider opportunities right across our business to help you develop and progress.

We never stand still, and we don’t expect our people to either.

Inclusion & Diversity

At British Airways we all have a part to play in creating an inclusive place to work. Diverse representation among our people is really important to us and we recognise that all our colleagues are uniquely different and bring their own originality, creativity and identity to work.

Inclusion and diversity is a key driver of innovation and we’re committed to creating a culture where everyone feels that they can be themselves. We’re looking for people from all backgrounds and cultures to join us and be a part of our journey to become a Better BA as we continue to connect Britain with the world and the world with Britain.