AMS PSR

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 within 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 contributions and where people feel able to be themselves at work. They strive to create a genuine culture of openness and inclusion and encourage diverse applicants.

Disability Confident 

As a member of the Disability Confident Scheme, AWE guarantees to interview all candidates who have a disability and who meet all the essential criteria for the vacancy. In cases where we have a high volume of candidates who have a disability who meet all the essential criteria, we will interview the best candidates from within that group. This scheme encourages candidates with a disability and/or neurodivergence to apply. In exceptional circumstances, we may also need to apply the desirable criteria in our shortlisting process which may include holding active security clearance.

Armed Forces Covenant

AWE guarantees to interview veterans or spouses / partners of military personnel who meet all the essential criteria for the vacancy. In cases where we have a high volume of ex-military candidates / military spouses or partners, who meet all of the essential criteria, we will interview the best candidates from within that group. In exceptional circumstances, we may also need to apply the desirable criteria in our shortlisting process which may include holding active security clearance.

In applying for this role, you acknowledge the following "this role falls in scope of the Off Payroll Working in the Public Sector legislation. Any rates of payment quoted will reflect the gross rate per day for the assignment and will be subject to appropriate taxes and statutory costs. As such the payment to the intermediary and your income resulting from this contract will be different".