Director of Finance

AeroVironment•Dayton, OH

14d•$148,000 - $237,000

About The Position

Reporting to the VP of Finance, the Director of Finance provides financial leadership to assigned Product Line General Managers, acting as a business partner and trusted advisor. The role has direct responsibility for financial matters, including reviewing and challenging budgets, forecasts, and business performance. Success is measured by meeting or exceeding Product Line performance goals, improving internal financial and business controls, and delivering working capital and cash flow commitments. The Director leads financial planning, reporting, pricing, proposals, and strategy for the Product Line. The role oversees assigned Product Line Business Managers and staff, develops finance capabilities and improvement initiatives, and ensures effective financial procedures, controls, compliance, and business processes. It also contributes to Product Line leadership, investment oversight, project estimate-at-completion reviews, annual audits, and financial support for Operations and Corporate Accounting. This position requires frequent travel outside the U.S. to emerging business sites and/or customers. U.S. citizenship is required, as is the ability to obtain and maintain an active security clearance. The role requires access to export-controlled information and applicants must meet applicable ITAR/EAR eligibility requirements. The stated clearance level is No Clearance.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in Business, Finance, or Accounting, or an equivalent combination of education, training, and experience.
At least 12 years of finance experience in the Aerospace and Defense or Technology field.
At least 5 years of direct managerial experience.
Experience with project accounting.
Experience with ERP and financial planning systems, such as Oracle, Hyperion, Unanet, or OneStream.
Experience managing budgets and the annual planning process.
Experience reviewing contracts and preparing financial models.
Experience in a product-based company, including inventory and warranty accounting.
Experience in a public company.
Strong written and analytical skills, including experience presenting financial information to executive-level management.
Ability to work cross-functionally and influence others through strong interpersonal and communication skills.
Experience in project management and financial transactions within a programs-based business, with commercial skills in profitably managing contract or program execution.
Ability to assess risks and opportunities, mitigate risks, and develop plans to capitalize on opportunities.
U.S. citizenship is required.
Ability to obtain and maintain an active security clearance.
Must qualify as a U.S. person under ITAR/EAR or be eligible for an export license; some positions require current U.S. citizenship due to contract requirements.
Ability to work in an office environment and sit or stand for extended periods; talk, hear, and use hands and fingers to operate a computer and telephone keyboard.

Nice To Haves

MBA, CMA, or another advanced degree.
Ability to think beyond immediate circumstances, consider multiple paths, and adapt decision-making to the situation.
Ability to inspire, motivate, and empower people to achieve organizational goals while delivering value to employees.
Ability to embody organizational values and create a shared vision.
Ability to champion change, promote quick adaptation, and help others manage the effects of change.
Ability to develop and maintain trusting, professional internal and external relationships.

Responsibilities

Direct financial assurance and control and oversee financial reporting, including the financial plan supporting the business area's Strategic Growth Plan, monthly forecasts, and annual budget.
Provide financial decision support, identify business issues proactively, and drive timely resolution.
Oversee and provide day-to-day leadership to assigned Product Line Business Managers and associated staff.
Lead and participate in pricing and proposal activities, including pricing strategy, bid reviews, customer negotiations, financial strategies for long-term agreements, and margin monitoring and reporting.
Lead development and implementation of financial strategy at the Product Line level.
Identify opportunities to increase Finance team capability and lead capability-building and finance improvement initiatives.
Manage key compliance areas and critical business processes; establish and implement policy in assigned financial areas.
Conduct complex financial and business analyses for monthly, quarterly, and annual financial submissions, and provide regular and ad hoc analyses and information.
Ensure adequate financial procedures and controls are established and followed.
Hire, assign responsibilities to, review, train, counsel, develop, and evaluate management staff and their teams; make personnel decisions; and develop and manage functional operating plans and budgets.
Participate actively on the Product Line leadership team.
Support Product Line approval, tracking, and forecasting of IR&D, sustaining, capital, and other direct-project investments.
Review and validate timely preparation of Estimates at Complete for direct projects.
Work with Corporate Accounting and external auditors on Product Line financials for the annual audit.
Support Operations, including Supply Chain, Manufacturing, and Quality, with financial analysis, transaction processing, and cost and inventory data.
Support Corporate Accounting on compliance projects, including SOX and government audits.
Travel frequently outside the U.S. to emerging business sites and/or customers.