Operational Financial Controller

Thales Group; East Hagbourne; On-site; GBP 40,000 - 60,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading company in the space technology sector invites applications for an Operational Financial Controller. This role within the Finance team is essential for managing financial reporting, budgeting, and oversight across projects in a dynamic environment. Candidates with professional accounting qualifications and a team-oriented mindset will thrive in this position. The role offers a 12-month fixed-term contract with potential for permanence, emphasizing a supportive and flexible work culture.

Qualifications

• Experience in Financial Accounting preferable within engineering or manufacturing.
• Ability to analyze technical and commercial information.
• Good understanding of ERP systems, preferably Oracle.

Responsibilities

• Perform month end accounting and reporting, including trial balance.
• Manage cash monitoring and budgeting for overheads.
• Ensure financial integrity and compliance with processes.

Skills

Financial Accounting

Stakeholder Communication

Team Player

Excel Expertise

Education

Professional Accounting Qualification (CIMA or ACCA)

Tools

ERP Systems (Oracle preferred)

Job description

Location: Oxford, United Kingdom

A Joint Venture between Thales (67%) and Leonardo (33%), Thales Alenia Space is a global space manufacturer delivering, for more than 40 years, high-tech solutions for telecommunications, navigation, Earth Observation, environmental management, exploration, science and orbital infrastructures. Thanks to our diversity of skills, talents and cultures, our customers (governments, institutions, space agencies, telecommunications operators), therefore have Space to Connect, Secure & Defend, Observe & Protect, Explore, Travel & Navigate.Together we offer fantastic opportunities for committed employees to learn and develop their career with us. At Thales UK, we research, develop, and supply technology and services that impact the lives of millions of people each day to make life better, and keep us safer. We innovate across the major industries of Aerospace, Defence, Security and Space. Your health and well-being matters to us and that’s why we offer you the flexibility to do what’s important to you; whether that’s part time hours, job sharing, home working, or the ability to flex your start and finish times. Where possible, we support a working pattern that suits your lifestyle and helps you reach your ambitions.

An exciting opportunity has arisen within our Finance team to join our Space business. Due to a recent change in the team the business now seeks an Operational Financial Controller to join this dynamic and collaborative team. Working with multiple stakeholders within Thales Alenia Space UK and the wider Joint venture organization. This is a 12 months fixed-term contract, with possibility to extend or get converted into a permanent role.

Responsibilities:

• Month End accounting and reporting such as Trial Balance, Journals, Reporting, and ensuring month end closure is achieved.

• Cash monitoring and reporting.

• Overhead Analysis and Control.

• Oversight of the Capex process and reporting.

• Cost Transfers / Recharges management.

• Budgeting and Forecasting of overheads, capex.

• VAT and Deferred duty oversight.

• Some ERP administration and problem solving activities.

• Interface with centralized service for Debtors, Creditors, Cash etc.

• Supporting other finance function requirements – Reporting / Audits / Rates agreements.

• Ensure financial integrity and adherence to processes.

Skills & Experience

We are looking for an individual with ideally experience of Financial Accounting within an engineering / manufacturing / project background. You will have the ability to interact and communicate complex issues with stakeholders at all levels in a Matrix organisation.

The right person for the role will be a team player who has the ability to assimilate and analyse technical, financial and commercial information as well as being an expert in Excel.

A good working understanding of ERP systems (ideally Oracle) would be an advantage.

Desirable

• Whilst specific knowledge of the French Language is not a prerequisite for this position it would be advantageous to facilitate activities across the Thales Alenia Space business.

Qualifications:

A professional accounting qualification. Ideally CIMA or ACCA would be great however experience within Financial Accounting Environment is paramount.

The role does require some travel between sites Bristol and Harwell (near Oxford) but not extensive.

If you feel that this is the role for you please send us your CV today.

Security Clearance Requirement:

Due to the nature of the work that we do at Thales, many of our roles are subject to security restrictions. This role requires Security Clearance (SC) . It would be advantageous if currently held, however, if not currently held, it is a requirement that the successful applicant undergo, achieve, and maintain SC Clearance prior to commencing employment. Please visit the UKSV website for further guidance.

To be eligible for full SC, you generally need to have resided in the UK for the last 5 years. In some circumstances, a minimum of 3 years’ residence in the UK over the last 5 years may be accepted, with additional overseas checks.

#LI-DB1

In line with Thales' Baseline Security requirements, candidates will be asked to provide evidence of identity, eligibility to work in the UK and employment and/or education history for up to three years. Some vacancies may require full Security Clearance which can require further evidence to be provided. For further details of the evidence required to apply for Baseline and Security Clearance please refer to the Defence Business Services National Security Vetting (DBS NSV) Agency.

At Thales we provide CAREERS and not only jobs. With Thales employing 80,000 employees in 68 countries our mobility policy enables thousands of employees each year to develop their careers at home and abroad, in their existing areas of expertise or by branching out into new fields. Together we believe that embracing flexibility is a smarter way of working.

Thales UK is committed to providing an inclusive and barrier-free recruitment process. We will provide reasonable adjustments and support to ensure neuro-diverse applicants or those with a disability or long-term condition can be their best during the recruitment process. To request an adjustment,if you need this job advert in an alternative format or if you have any questions about the recruitment process, please contact Resourcing Ops for mid to senior roles, or the Early Careers Teamfor graduate and apprentice roles.

Great journeys start here, apply now!