Finance Senior Manager

On behalf of AWE, we are looking for a Finance Senior Manager (Outside IR35) for a 12 month contract based in Reading Hybrid working.

What if you could work on something that you can’t test… but cannot afford to fail? Something that could have spent years on a submarine, is launched into outer space (where the temperature is below
-250c), comes hurtling through the atmosphere, being heated up and shaken and then must work? Some challenge. That’s exactly what the team of over 6,500 people at AWE do every day delivering important work, in support of the most important mission - keeping the nation safe.

AWE plays a crucial role in national nuclear security. Their role in nuclear deterrence and their specialist technical assistance to nuclear threat reduction is vital in the defence against the most serious threats faced by the UK. Working to support the defence of our country, AWE has a clear mission to keep everyone, the environment, their products and information, sites, and everything around them, safe and secure.

As a Finance Senior Manager, your main responsibilities will be:
* Lead and manage the delivery of all assigned financial activities, ensuring objectives are achieved within agreed timescales, budget, and quality standards.
* Develop and implement financial strategies that support organisational and programme objectives.
* Provide accurate, timely, and insightful financial reporting, analysis, and recommendations to senior stakeholders.
* Ensure the integrity, accuracy, and completeness of all financial information and reporting outputs.
* Oversee the financial governance and compliance framework relating to customs and duty activities.
* Establish, maintain, and monitor robust financial controls, ensuring compliance with internal policies, regulatory requirements, and audit standards.
* Support the development and enhancement of finance policies, procedures, and best practices.
* Identify and implement process improvements, efficiencies, and innovation initiatives across the finance function.
* Monitor, report on, and drive compliance with financial processes and governance requirements.
* Build and maintain effective relationships with senior stakeholders, acting as a trusted advisor on financial and compliance matters.
* Lead, coach, develop, and manage Finance Managers and Finance Analysts, promoting a high-performance culture.
* Coordinate team workload, resource planning, and delivery of key finance objectives.
* Drive performance and accountability through effective leadership and people management.
* Maintain the highest standards of environment, safety, health, security, quality, and professional conduct.
* Champion continuous improvement and lead by example to foster collaboration, engagement, and operational excellence.

Essential:
* Active DV (Developed Vetting) Clearance.
* Significant experience operating at Senior Finance Manager level or equivalent.
* Strong experience in financial governance, controls, compliance, and reporting.
* Proven ability to establish and maintain robust financial control frameworks.
* Experience managing and developing high-performing finance teams.
* Strong stakeholder management skills, including engagement with senior leadership.
* Excellent financial analysis, planning, forecasting, and reporting expertise.
* Demonstrable experience driving process improvement and operational efficiency initiatives.
* Strong understanding of financial accounting principles and compliance requirements.
* Excellent communication, leadership, and influencing skills.

Desirable:
* Experience working with Customs & Duty Frameworks, international trade, import/export compliance, and HMRC customs regulations.
* Professional accounting qualification (ACA, ACCA, CIMA or equivalent).
* Experience with in defence, government, nuclear, aerospace, or other highly regulated environments.
* Experience supporting finance transformation, ERP implementation, audit/compliance frameworks, and complex matrix-managed organisations.

Please be aware that this role can only be worked within the UK and not Overseas.

AWE’s ambition is to create workplaces that recognise and celebrate differences, encourage diverse…