Finance Director
AECOM · London, United Kingdom · hybrid
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There has never been a better time to be at AECOM. With accelerating infrastructure investment worldwide, our services are in great demand. We invite you to bring your bold ideas and big dreams and become part of a global team of over 50,000 planners, designers, engineers, scientists, digital innovators, program and construction managers and other professionals delivering projects that create a positive and tangible impact around the world.
We're one global team driven by our common purpose to deliver a better world. Join us.
We’re looking for a commercially astute Finance Director to partner with senior leadership, drive profitable growth and shape business strategy. You’ll lead financial performance, forecasting, cash flow and risk management, using financial insight to influence key decisions on pricing, market expansion and transformation. A senior leadership role combining strategic influence, commercial impact and finance team leadership.
Finance Leadership & Performance
- Own monthly financial results, reporting and analysis, driving performance against plan and outlook across revenue, EBITA/NSR, operating cash flow and DSO.
- Lead forecasting, annual planning and financial outlooks, ensuring predictable results and clear accountability.
- Deliver actionable financial insight to the senior leadership team, highlighting performance, risks, opportunities and growth potential.
Commercial Strategy & Risk Management
- Partner with the Managing Director and practice leaders to drive profitable growth, pricing strategy, market expansion and portfolio decisions.
- Identify and mitigate commercial and operational risks, maximising opportunities and protecting business performance.
- Shape bid strategy, contract profitability and working capital, ensuring robust risk, contingency and cash flow management.
Project Finance & Working Capital
- Oversee project accounting, budgets, estimates at completion (EAC) and accurate month-end revenue recognition.
- Drive cash flow and working capital performance through rigorous WIP, accounts receivable, billing and collections reviews.
- Challenge project performance and balance sheet positions, ensuring appropriate provisions, contingencies and financial controls.
Governance, Controls & Compliance
- Champion strong financial governance, SOX compliance and adherence to the Sub-Delegation of Authority.
- Ensure robust project controls, accurate statutory reporting and compliance with US GAAP, UK GAAP, IFRS and company policies.
- Lead audit readiness and proactively address financial and operational control risks.
Transformation & Continuous Improvement
- Drive finance transformation, process optimisation and operational efficiency across the business.
- Champion AI, automation and digital solutions to improve reporting, decision-making and productivity.
- Embed a culture of continuous improvement across finance and operational teams.
Strategic Partnership & Client Focus
- Act as a trusted commercial partner to the Managing Director, practice leaders and wider senior leadership team.
- Translate complex financial data into clear, compelling insights that influence business decisions.
- Deliver practical, innovative finance solutions that meet internal and external client needs.
Leadership & Talent Development
- Lead, coach and develop a high-performing finance team, building capability, engagement and future leadership talent.
- Drive performance management, succession planning, professional development and inclusive leadership.
- Influence strategic direction as a member of the Transportation UK&I Senior Executive Team and Regional Finance Leadership Team.
- Champion AECOM’s Safety, Health & Environment commitments, core values, ethical standards and compliance responsibilities.
Qualifications & Experience
- Bachelor's degree; a professional finance qualification (ACA, ACCA, CIMA or overseas equivalent) or MBA is preferred.
- 15+ years of demonstrated finance experience, including senior leadership of an operational finance function in a project-based or professional services business.
- Experience as a member of an executive team, partnering with senior business leaders to shape strategy.
- Strong working knowledge of revenue recognition and project accounting.
Skills
- Strong commercial acumen, financial modelling and business analysis skills, with the ability to interpret complex financial systems and reports.
- Proven ability to analyse and present financial insight clearly to audiences with financial and non-financial backgrounds, and to influence senior stakeholders.
- Track record of delivering measurable improvement in profitability, cash and forecast predictability.
- Well-developed interpersonal, presentation and communication skills, with proven ability to build productive relationships at all levels.
- Able to lead, motivate and develop a regionally spread team.
- Able to work productively in a dynamic, high-pressure environment and meet deadlines.
- Experience of finance transformation, ERP and automation or AI adoption is an advantage. M&A or restructuring experience is desirable.
Knowledge
- Proficient in Microsoft Office packages.
- Prior use of Oracle and IBM Cognos / TM1 is an advantage.
- Experience of working in a SOX environment is desirable.
Essential Performance Criteria
- Strong team leader with excellent interpersonal skills who supports and develops staff.
- Effective leader with tenacity and drive to achieve outstanding results.
- High level of attention to detail and accuracy.
- Collaborative, willing to share knowledge, experience and ideas for the betterment of the group.
- High-level problem solving and sound judgment.
- Takes accountability for assigned work and is able to maintain confidentiality.
- Client focused, both internal and external.
At AECOM, we are committed to maintaining a secure and trustworthy recruitment process and take any fraudulent hiring activity seriously. To support this commitment, all newly hired employees are required to attend an in-person Day 1 onboarding at an AECOM office location as a condition of employment.
About AECOM
AECOM is the world’s trusted infrastructure consulting firm, delivering professional services throughout the project lifecycle – from advisory, planning, design and engineering to program and construction management. On projects spanning transportation, buildings, water, new energy and the environment, our public- and private-sector clients trust us to solve their most complex challenges. Our teams are driven by a common purpose to deliver a better world through our unrivaled technical and digital expertise, a culture of equity, diversity and inclusion, and a commitment to environmental, social and governance priorities. AECOM is a Fortune 500 firm and its Professional Services business had revenue of $16.1 billion in fiscal year 2025. See how we are delivering sustainable legacies for generations to come at aecom.com and @AECOM.
Freedom to Grow in a World of Opportunity
You will have the flexibility you need to do your best work with hybrid work options. Whether you’re working from an AECOM office, remote location or at a client site, you will be working in a dynamic environment where your integrity, entrepreneurial spirit and pioneering mindset are championed.
You will help us foster a safe and respectful workplace, where we invite everyone to bring their whole selves to work using their unique talents, backgrounds and expertise to create trans