Financial Controller

Michael Page is delighted to partner with our client to recruit a Financial Controller. The role will involve Financial Reporting, Planning and Control, along with driving process and control improvements. You will be working on high profile projects and helping the business to achieve the desired results.This is a high level role with a clear progression route to Finance Director.

Client Details

Our client is a market leading Global Manufacturer. The UK Business has a varied portfolio of projects, across Air, Land and Sea domains, including complex product development, systems integration, product manufacturing and service support projects. The Business is enjoying a period of high growth that is anticipated to continue across our 5-year planning period (as a minimum). The role will operate across the business in a visible role and will form part of the succession plan for the Finance Director role.

Description

The successful candidate will likely have the following responsibilities:

Financial & Management Reporting

Lead the monthly reporting cycle, ensuring high‑quality outputs and on‑time delivery.
Provide analysis and decision support on technical accounting matters.
Review and challenge performance messaging, risks and opportunities.
Resolve finance queries promptly with clear, consistent communication.
Support Book‑to‑Bill reviews, S&OP activity, and headcount analysis.
Partner with Operations on performance insights, inventory improvement and reporting needs.
Represent the business at cross‑functional forums when required.
Support cost base reporting and rate‑setting processes.

Planning & Budgeting

Co‑lead annual, multi‑year and monthly planning cycles.
Own and communicate the planning timetable, driving accountability across stakeholders.
Consolidate submissions, ensuring accuracy and robust financial modelling.
Balance ambition with achievability in plans and performance targets.
Ensure full stakeholder alignment with assumptions and outputs.
Track and resolve planning queries efficiently.

Financial Controls & Audit

Act as the primary contact for internal and external audit.
Lead a financial controls improvement programme, from assessment to implementation and BAU.
Co‑ordinate audit activity, ensuring timely responses and closure of actions.
Support governance across key business decisions (capex, investment, hiring, stock etc.).

Ad‑Hoc & Leadership Support

Drive improvement initiatives across the business.
Lead the rollout of projects with strong focus on data quality and minimal disruption.
Provide financial insight on investment cases, strategic projects and scenario planning.
Offer ad‑hoc support and deputise for the Finance Director, including in reviews and approvals.

Profile

The successful candidate will likely have the following profile:

Clear and demonstrable potential to progress to a Finance Director position in the short term.
A good understanding of commercial and financial aspects of the business
Be comfortable working with ambiguity and proposing solutions to complex issues
Be able to present and explain the implication of complex business issues
Ability to operate cross functionally and influence a broad range of finance and non-finance stakeholders.
An understanding of best-in-class financial controls and an ability to drive change / required improvements.
Prior experience of leading the audit process across an equivalent process and being the primary finance point of contact for internal and external audit activity.
Prior experience of running an annual, multi-phase planning cycle across an equivalent business.
FP&A, financial and management reporting experience within and equivalent organisation
Be flexible to work in a changing environment
Hold a professional accounting qualification
Ideally educated to degree level with proven experience of working in a project-based business within a defence/aerospace/engineering/manufacturing organisation.
Some prior experience of Project Accounting is preferred.Job Offer

This role offers an exceptional package DOE and wider benefits for the successful candidate