Senior Project Financial Controller

Airbus S.A.S; Saudi Arabia; On-site; SAR 120,000 - 160,000; Full time

Job summary

Airbus is seeking a Senior Project Financial Controller who will be crucial in managing financial performance and decision-making for projects. This role involves collaboration across departments to optimize costs and ensure robust financial oversight. Candidates should have a chartered accounting qualification and experience in commercial finance within the Middle East, alongside strong proficiency in SAP and Excel. The successful applicant will play a pivotal role in the finance community.

Qualifications

• At least 3 years of professional practice experience in a well-established firm.
• 5 years of relevant project or commercial finance experience in the Middle East.
• Excellent proficiency in MS Office, especially MS Excel.

Responsibilities

• Manage profit and loss of various projects.
• Prepare and deliver monthly financial reports.
• Oversee invoicing activities in SAP.

Skills

Budgeting

Cost Control

Revenue Controlling

Stakeholder Management

Education

Chartered Accountant (ACA, CIMA, CPA or ACCA)

Tools

SAP ERP

MS Office

Job description

Job Description:

JOB SUMMARY

A vacancy has arisen for the position of Senior Project Financial Controller.

In the role of Project Financial Controlling, you will be a vital part of the Finance community and the project organization. As a challenging Business Partner, you will contribute substantially to managing the profit and loss of various projects. You will gather and provide data to enable informed decision-making at the management level and give visibility about performance versus targets. You will highlight and analyze discrepancies and propose actions to optimize financial and operational performance. To do so, you will collaborate with and challenge your business partners from all directorates (e.g., PMO, Engineering, Operations, Procurement, Sales, Taxation and other departments). Moreover, you will support key change decisions in the project. You will also manage the financial aspects of the project contracts, including revenue recognition, costs, cash, and risk and opportunity management. During bid phases, you will provide support for all financial aspects in contractual amendments and the acquisition of additional orders while meeting the required profitability targets.

Working in Project Financial Controlling requires a robust business understanding, a feel for numbers, and solid social skills to be able to manage your stakeholders towards the best business decisions for the company. The role is challenging in its complexity and must be undertaken by someone who is capable of understanding the people, the product, and the numbers. You will work with the project team and be embedded in the Finance community. A high level of self-awareness, emotional intelligence, conflict management skills, persistence, and assertiveness are required to master this business partnering role.

With your work, you will contribute to the successful completion of this challenging project.

LIST OF RESPONSIBILITIES

Estimate at Completion (EAC), Project Mgmt and Cost Control:

• Plan and execute the EAC process in KSA, ensuring adherence to processes and timely delivery of high-quality reports.
• Monitor all project-related costs and maintain transparent communication with stakeholders.
• Responsible for the yearly calculation of hourly rates.
• Oversee the end-to-end management of small projects, including revenues, costs, and margins.
• Create and maintain WBS elements in SAP as per the PMO-released WBS.
• Open and close WBS elements in SAP as needed, including planning creation and modifications throughout the project lifecycle.

Risk & Opportunity Management:

• Participate in the Airbus Risk & Opportunity Management process, ensuring alignment with Airbus standards in collaboration with the project team and the dedicated R&O manager.

Planning & Reporting:

• Prepare internal project reporting as well as corporate planning (OP/FC) and reporting.
• Present reports to relevant stakeholders and provide detailed analysis of key project KPIs, including FCF and balance sheet variations.
• Prepare and deliver monthly financial reports to management.

Audits & Compliance and Process Optimization:

• Support local/group audits and ensure compliance with corporate and local reporting requirements.
• Collaborate closely with external audit firms during quarterly and annual audit processes.
• Establish clear processes and KPIs for the Projects Finance Department activities.
• Create interfaces to existing accounting/controlling tools locally.

Interco, Invoicing, Project Insurance and Cash Management:

• Oversee and manage invoicing activities in SAP.
• Forecast cash-in and revenue to support financial planning and reporting.
• Harmonize guarantees and letters of credit in line with Airbus Corporate Treasury.
• Maintain and improve banking services for Airbus in KSA, coordinating with European treasury teams when necessary.
• Ensure the application of the planned cost flow diagram in line with tax optimization programs.
• Oversee smooth execution of intercompany billing and reporting.
• Manage insurance suppliers through brokers and Airbus Corporate Insurance.
• Coordinate all insurance topics and set up clear insurance processes for Airbus DS KSA.

Stakeholder Collaboration:

• Liaise with internal business line controllers, project controllers, and customers to ensure smooth financial operations.

PERSON SPECIFICATIONS:

• Chartered Accountant (ACA, CIMA, CPA or ACCA) with at least 3 years of professional practice experience in a well-established firm
• At least 5 years of relevant project or commercial finance experience in the Middle East region, for instance, experience in contract negotiations or commercial discussions with customers, working knowledge of Project Management etc
• Expertise in budgeting, cost control, and revenue controlling, etc.
• Excellent proficiency in MS Office, particularly MS Excel; SAP ERP knowledge is preferable

OTHER FACTORS:

• Managing complex and demanding situations with experience in the cultural environment of Saudi Arabia
• Presentable personality with excellent communication skills together with experience in the cultural environment of Saudi Arabia or other Arabic countries
• Ability to work in a team / organize and communicate / identify weaknesses and risk / evaluate objectively and constructively / work under pressure and to meet deadlines
• High level of integrity to work with highly confidential information
• Flexible / adaptable / enthusiastic / motivated / self-confident / team player

SUPERVISION RECEIVED:

• The job holder reports to: Head of Project Financial Controlling who reports to the CFO KSA with a dotted line to the Programme Controller in Germany

COMMUNICATIONS:

• Project and Contract Managers, Procurement and other functions
• Controlling functions in Germany, France and Spain etc
• Accounting Team based in KSA
• External Auditors

This job requires an awareness of any potential compliance risks and a commitment to act with integrity, as the foundation for the Company’s success, reputation and sustainable growth.

Company:

Airbus Defence and Space Saudi Limited

Employment Type:

Fixed term

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Experience Level:

Professional

Job Family:

Controlling

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