Finance Director

About the role

The Opportunity OpenWorks is a business that has experienced significant growth with a strong operational track record and an ambitious short term growth agenda. Operating across international markets, the business delivers technically advanced products and solutions to defence and security customers globally. As we continue to scale, we are seeking an exceptional Finance Director to lead the financial management of the UK parent and its US subsidiary. Reporting directly to the commercially focused CFO, this is a pivotal senior appointment. Our CFO brings deep commercial and strategic expertise; accordingly, the Finance Director must be technically strong, independently capable, and willing to own the finance function with real authority. This is not a role for someone seeking a quiet corner of the business - we need a self-starter who drives improvement, embraces technology, and communicates with clarity to both finance and non-finance stakeholders. You will inherit a capable and committed finance team, and we place significant emphasis on developing and nurturing that talent. The business has recently invested in a new ERP system and is actively exploring the use of AI and automation to enhance the quality and efficiency of financial outputs. We are looking for someone who shares that forward-looking mindset. Who We Are OpenWorks is a rapidly growing business operating globally with a passion for exceptional engineering and building on a legacy of defence innovation in the North East of England. Our products provide ultra-high performance, real-time detection, tracking, identification and targeting of dynamic aerial threats. They have been deployed internationally to protect high profile military and civilian assets, and contribute towards the defeat of nuisance, misguided and maliciously deployed drones during operations. We are very proud to have supported a wide range of law enforcement and military operators, protecting many of the most high profile sites and individuals around the world. Key Responsibilities Planning & Analysis Setting long term budgets and financial forecasting Produce insightful financial analysis and commentary in conjunction with the Finance Manager that supports decision-making at board and senior management level ensuring accuracy and timeliness Develop and maintain financial models for scenario planning, sensitivity analysis, and long-range planning Develop and enhance KPIs to ensure the optimisation of the value of the company whilst proactively monitoring the key financial risks and opportunities ERP & Systems Champion the ongoing development and optimisation of the company's newly implemented ERP system, OpenWorks uses Infor Cloudsuite Industrial (Syteline), driving user adoption and process integration across the business Identify and implement improvements to financial systems, data flows, and reporting infrastructure Actively explore and embed the use of AI and automation tools to improve the speed and quality of financial outputs Cross-Border & International Finance Manage the financial relationship between the UK parent and US subsidiary, including intercompany accounting, transfer pricing compliance, and intercompany agreements Oversee multi-currency accounting and FX exposure management Ensure compliance with US federal and state tax obligations, working with local advisers as required Oversee banking and treasury relationships in both the UK and US Support the CFO/CEO on any cross-border financial matters Financial Reporting & Controls Ultimate ownership and supervision of the finance function Long term cash flow forecasting and working capital management Oversee and develop the financial control environment, ensuring robust processes and compliance with relevant accounting standards Oversee the relationship with external auditors Oversee all tax, VAT, and regulatory compliance matters Team Leadership Lead, manage, and develop the finance team, fostering a high-performance culture centred on accuracy, collaboration, and continuous improvement Provide technical guidance and mentoring across the team, supporting professional development and career progression Set clear objectives and maintain high standards across all finance outputs Commercial & Strategic Support Contributing to ensuring the business has the correct financial capacity to fulfil its growth potential Support the CFO and senior leadership team with ad hoc financial analysis and strategic projects including capital allocation decisions and business development activity Confidently communicate financial information to stakeholders without technical financial knowledge Represent the finance function credibly with external parties Person Specification Essential Qualifications & Experience ACA or ACCA qualified Significant post-qualification experience in an industry finance role in a business of comparable scale (£50-100m revenue) Proven experience managing and developing a finance team Demonstrable experie

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