Director of Financial Planning & Analysis

Aether Aerospace; Washington (District of Columbia); Remote; USD 180,000 - 230,000; Full time

Job summary

Aether Aerospace seeks a Director of Financial Planning and Analysis to lead budgeting, forecasting, and long-range planning across business units. You will standardize templates, drive performance reviews, and provide insights to executive leadership.

The role requires 10+ years in FP&A, strong Excel/financial modeling, and excellent communication. Experience with government contracting and defense programs is highly valued; remote-friendly with multiple US locations.

Qualifications

• Substantial FP&A or program finance experience in government contracting, preferably defense/aerospace.
• Experience with firm-fixed-price, cost-reimbursable, and time-and-materials contracts; understanding of indirect cost pools and rates.
• Advanced Excel and financial modeling skills; integrated forecasts and reconciliation of actual results to forecasts.
• Ability to challenge assumptions and translate complex financial information for senior leaders.
• Experience partnering with Accounting and program teams on revenue, margins, and working capital forecasts.

Responsibilities

• Own the annual budget, monthly forecasts, and long-range plan across business units; establish timelines and assumptions.
• Enhance and maintain driver-based revenue, gross margin, EBITDA, and cash flow forecasts with scenarios.
• Lead monthly performance reviews and variance analysis; explain drivers and recommend actions.
• Challenge forecast assumptions with BU leaders and Control; incorporate estimates at completion into outlook.
• Prepare executive/board reporting, including forecast bridges, KPIs, and concise commentary.
• Standardize forecast templates, planning tools, and reporting across units; improve accuracy using ERP data.
• Lead FP&A processes and develop team capabilities; collaborate with Controller, Contracts, and Operations.

Skills

Advanced Excel

Financial modeling

Forecasting

Budgeting

Leadership

Cross-functional collaboration

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Finance/Accounting/Economics or related field

MBA/CPA/CMA or related certification

Tools

Deltek Costpoint

JAMIS

Unanet

Power BI

Job description

Start Date: Immediate JHNA, CTSi, and EXPANSIA have come together to form a Defense Technology platform named Aether Aerospace focused on delivering high-impact technologies, technology-enabled services and advanced manufacturing solutions to the U.S. Department of Defense and related national security customers. Backed by Falfurrias Management Partners, the platform brings together deep domain expertise across Army, Navy, and Air Force and Space Force programs, digital engineering, systems integration, and specialized manufacturing capabilities.

The combined organization operates as a multi-entity aerospace and defense technology and tech-enabled services and manufacturing enterprise positioned for scalable growth, operational excellence, and long-term value creation.

Overview

Full-time/Permanent Employee

Location

Washington, DC / Pax River, MD / Huntsville, AL / Tidewater/Newport News, VA (open to remote)

Aether Aerospace is currently seeking a Director of Financial Planning and Analysis to support our growing organization.

Responsibilities

• Own the annual budget, monthly forecasts, and long-range plan across business units; establish timelines, consistent assumptions, and accountability for inputs
• Enhance and maintain driver-based revenue, gross margin, adjusted EBITDA, and cash flow forecasts, including base, upside, and downside scenarios and working capital assumptions
• Lead monthly performance reviews and variance analysis; explain revenue, volume, rate, mix, labor utilization, and indirect cost drivers and recommend corrective actions
• Challenge and validate forecast assumptions with business unit leaders and Project Control, including staffing, backlog conversion, pipeline timing, and program margins; incorporate program estimates at completion into the platform outlook
• Prepare executive and board reporting, including forecast bridges, KPIs, and concise commentary explaining business performance and decisions required
• Standardize forecast templates, planning tools, dashboards, and management reporting across business units; use ERP data and Controller-approved actuals to improve forecast accuracy and reporting efficiency
• Lead FP&A processes and develop team capabilities; partner with the Controller, Project Control, Contracts, Pricing, and Operations to connect operating decisions with financial outcomes

Key Qualifications

Clearance: Ability to obtain a Secret Clearance

Education & Years of Experience

Bachelor’s degree in Finance, Accounting, Economics, or a related field and 10+ years of progressive experience in FP&A, corporate finance, or program finance, including at least 3 years leading budgeting, forecasting, or financial planning processes.

• Substantial FP&A or program finance experience in government contracting, preferably in defense or aerospace, with responsibility for consolidated or multi-business unit financial performance
• Experience with firm-fixed-price, cost-reimbursable, and time-and-materials contracts; understanding of indirect cost pools, allocation bases, provisional rates, and their effects on revenue and margin
• Advanced Excel and financial modeling skills, including integrated forecasts, sensitivity analysis, and clear reconciliation of actual results to forecasts
• Demonstrated ability to challenge assumptions, identify forecast risk, and translate complex financial information into practical recommendations for senior leaders
• Experience partnering with Accounting and program teams on revenue and margin forecasts, estimates at completion, working capital, and cash planning. Ability to consolidate and validate data from multiple systems and improve planning processes in an evolving organization
• Strong communication, organization, and leadership skills, with the ability to influence operational leaders, meet deadlines, and personally build and maintain detailed analyses

Preferred Additional Qualifications

• Experience in a private equity backed organization, including board reporting, adjusted EBITDA analysis, and debt covenant forecasting
• Experience with Deltek Costpoint, JAMIS, Unanet, Power BI, or comparable ERP and reporting tools
• Experience supporting manufacturing operations, product development, acquisition integration, or investment return analysis
• MBA, CPA, CMA, or a related advanced degree or certification

Aether Aerospace is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, pregnancy, sexual orientation, age, national origin, disability, status as a protected veteran, or any other protected characteristic.

There are a host of factors that can influence final salary including, but not limited to, Federal Government contract labor categories and contract wage rates, relevant prior work experience, specific skills and competencies, geographic location, education, and certifications.