Head of Finance Greater Southampton, United Kingdom Area

About Aquila ATMS

At Aquila Air Traffic Management Services (ATMS), we are dedicated to creating a workplace where innovation, collaboration, and excellence thrives. As a joint venture between NATS and Thales, we combine the expertise of leading air traffic control services and global systems integration to deliver cutting-edge solutions in air traffic management.

Join us in shaping the future of air traffic management, and together, we will elevate aviation safety and efficiency worldwide!

The Role

We are looking for a Head of Finance to join our team on a 18-month fixed term contract. Reporting to the Finance & Commercial Director, you will provide strategic and operational leadership for Aquila’s Finance Department. You will oversee Aquila’s financial management, governance and reporting arrangements, providing the insight and constructive challenge needed to support effective decision-making, delivery of the business plan and Aquila’s long-term financial sustainability.

Your core responsibilities will include:

Setting the strategic direction for the Finance Department and developing the capability, capacity and culture needed to deliver Aquila’s business priorities.

Providing clear, timely and decision-focused financial insight to the Leadership Team, Board and shareholders.

Leading the annual business-planning and budgeting process, working collaboratively with Heads of Department and senior leaders.

Ensuring compliance with relevant accounting standards and overseeing statutory reporting, audit and tax requirements.

This is a hands on role where you’ll contribute to meaningful work and play a part in helping the organisation achieve its objectives.

About You

You’re an experienced Finance leader who contributes positively to your team and the wider organisation. You work collaboratively, adapt to different situations, and bring sound judgement to your work. You communicate clearly, build effective working relationships, and approach challenges with a practical, solutions‑focused mindset.

To be successful in this role, you’ll bring:

Significant experience as a Head of Finance, senior Finance leader or in a similar senior Finance role.

Strong knowledge of project accounting, statutory accounting, financial controls and risk management.

Experience of leading budgeting, forecasting, business planning, management reporting and month-end activities.

The ability to interpret complex financial information, identify risks and opportunities, and translate your findings into clear recommendations.

The confidence to present financial performance, forecasts and strategic insight at senior leadership and Board level.

A track record of leading, developing and inspiring Finance teams through changing priorities and demanding delivery commitments

You also:

Promote Aquila’s Just Culture, reporting incidents, safety non compliance, or potential issues in an appropriate and timely manner.

Consistently demonstrate behaviours aligned with Aquila’s core values and leadership behaviours in all actions and decisions.

What We're Looking For

Essential Criteria

A fully qualified accountant with an ACA, ACCA, CIMA or equivalent qualification, together with current membership of the relevant professional accountancy body.

Substantial post-qualification experience, including proven success in senior Finance leadership roles with organisation-wide responsibility for financial management, strategic planning and governance.

Strong technical expertise across project and statutory accounting, budgeting, forecasting, management reporting, cash-flow management, financial controls and financial risk management.

Proven experience of leading and developing Finance teams, working with senior stakeholders and presenting financial performance, forecasts, risks and opportunities at Leadership Team or Board level.

Desirable Criteria

Experience of Finance within complex government, defence or highly regulated contracts.

Experience of project accounting and the financial oversight of major contracts.

Experience of statutory reporting, audit and tax compliance across UK or international operations.

Relevant continuing professional development in leadership and strategic Finance.

If you don’t meet every requirement but feel you have relevant experience, we’d still like to hear from you. We’re open to discussing flexible working arrangements and welcome applications from candidates seeking either full-time or part-time hours. This could include reduced hours or different working patterns, subject to meeting the needs of the role and team.

Benefits

Core Benefits

201 hours (approx. 27 days) annual leave + 1 Company Day to be used at Christmas (Excluding Bank Holidays) - Prorated for part time contracts

Time off to volunteer (up to 3 days per annum)

Company Pension Plan (Aquila contribution = employee contribution + 1%, up to 7%)

Life Assurance (2x basic salary or up to 8x if in the pension scheme)

Income Protection

Employee Assistance Programme with 24/7 support and counselling

Company paid Private Medical Insurance (Couple cover)

Variable Compensation Plan (discretionary bonus)

Flexible Benefits

Through Aquila’s flexible benefits platform, you can tailor your package, including:

Healthcare Cash Plan options

Additional PMI cover

Buy or sell annual leave

Cycle to Work scheme

Discounts at high street retailers

Family, Wellbeing & Lifestyle

Enhanced Maternity pay

Enhanced Paternity leave & pay

Enhanced Occupational Sick pay

Mental Health First Aiders

Recognition through Altair Award

Employee referral bonus

Security Clearance Statement

Due to the nature of the work that we do, many of our roles are subject to security restrictions. This role requires you to be a UK National and achieve Security Clearance (SC) without any caveats. 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. If approved by the MOD, a dual national from a Non-ITAR country may be considered. Please visit the UKSV website for further guidance- United Kingdom Security Vetting – GOV.UK

Equal Opportunities, Diversity, Equity and Inclusion

Aquila ATMS is an equal opportunities employer committed to creating a diverse and inclusive workplace. Applications are welcomed from suitably qualified candidates from all backgrounds. Employment decisions are made fairly and without discrimination on the basis of age, disability, sex, sexual orientation, gender reassignment, pregnancy and maternity, race, religion or belief, marriage or civil partnership, or any other characteristic protected by law.