Director of Finance

AeroVironment•Dayton, OH

13d

About The Position

The Director of Finance reports to the VP of Finance and provides financial leadership and business-partner support to assigned Product Line General Managers. The role is responsible for financial matters across the business, including reviewing and challenging budgets, forecasts, and performance. Success is measured by Product Line business performance, improved internal financial and business controls, and achievement of working-capital and cash-flow commitments. The Director leads financial planning, reporting, compliance, pricing and proposal activities, and financial strategy for the Product Line. The position oversees assigned Product Line Business Managers and staff, develops Finance team capabilities, manages functional plans and budgets, and participates in Product Line leadership. It also supports operations, investment planning, project estimates, audits, and corporate compliance initiatives. The role requires frequent travel outside the U.S. to emerging business sites and/or customers. It is performed in an office environment and requires U.S. citizenship; the employee must be able to obtain and maintain an active security clearance, although the listed 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.
U.S. citizenship is required.
Ability to obtain and maintain an active security clearance.
Ability to qualify as a U.S. person under ITAR/EAR requirements, or be approved for an export license; any offer requiring an export license is conditional on the company determining that it can obtain one in a timeframe consistent with business requirements.
Ability to travel frequently outside the U.S. to emerging business sites and/or customers.
Ability to work in an office environment; ability to sit and stand for long periods and use a computer and telephone keyboard.

Nice To Haves

MBA, CMA, or another advanced degree.
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.
Project management and financial transaction experience in a programs-based business, with commercial skills in profitably managing contract or program execution.
Ability to think beyond immediate circumstances, explore options, 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 bring organizational values to life 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.
Ability to assess risk and opportunity and take appropriate action to mitigate risks or build on opportunities.

Responsibilities

Direct financial assurance and control and oversee financial reporting, including the financial plan supporting the business area's Strategic Growth Plan.
Develop and implement monthly forecasts and the annual budget; provide financial decision-making support, identify business issues, and drive timely resolution.
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 the development and implementation of Product Line financial strategy.
Identify and lead opportunities to improve Finance team capability and deliver planned financial results more effectively.
Manage key compliance areas and critical business processes, establish and implement policy in assigned financial areas, and ensure financial procedures and controls are followed.
Perform complex financial and business analyses for monthly, quarterly, and annual financial submissions and provide regular and ad hoc financial analyses and information.
Hire, assign responsibilities to, review, train, counsel, develop, and evaluate management staff within the assigned team; make decisions regarding personnel matters.
Develop and manage functional operating plans and budgets.
Participate actively in the Product Line leadership team.
Support approval, tracking, and forecasting of investments, including IR&D, sustaining, capital, and other direct projects.
Review and validate timely preparation of Estimate at Completes for direct projects.
Work with Corporate Accounting and external auditors on Product Line annual financial audits.
Support 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.