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.
Security Vetting Information
OpenWorks Engineering operates within the defence sector. As part of our recruitment and onboarding processes, we collect information that may be required to support future security vetting and clearance requirements, should these become necessary during employment.
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
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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
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Develop and maintain financial models for scenario planning, sensitivity analysis, and long-range planning
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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
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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
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Identify and implement improvements to financial systems, data flows, and reporting infrastructure
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Actively explore and embed the use of AI and automation tools to improve the speed and quality of financial outputs
Cross-Border & International Finance
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Manage the financial relationship between the UK parent and US subsidiary, including intercompany accounting, transfer pricing compliance, and intercompany agreements
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Oversee multi-currency accounting and FX exposure management
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Ensure compliance with US federal and state tax obligations, working with local advisers as required
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Oversee banking and treasury relationships in both the UK and US
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Support the CFO/CEO on any cross-border financial matters
Financial Reporting & Controls
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Ultimate ownership and supervision of the finance function
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Long term cash flow forecasting and working capital management
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Oversee and develop the financial control environment, ensuring robust processes and compliance with relevant accounting standards
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Oversee the relationship with external auditors
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Oversee all tax, VAT, and regulatory compliance matters
Team Leadership
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Lead, manage, and develop the finance team, fostering a high-performance culture centred on accuracy, collaboration, and continuous improvement
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Provide technical guidance and mentoring across the team, supporting professional development and career progression
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Set clear objectives and maintain high standards across all finance outputs
Commercial & Strategic Support
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Contributing to ensuring the business has the correct financial capacity to fulfil its growth potential
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Support the CFO and senior leadership team with ad hoc financial analysis and strategic projects including capital allocation decisions and business development activity
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Confidently communicate financial information to stakeholders without technical financial knowledge
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Represent the finance function credibly with external parties
Person Specification
Essential Qualifications & Experience
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ACA or ACCA qualified
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Significant post-qualification experience in an industry finance role in a business of comparable scale (£50-100m revenue)
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Proven experience managing and developing a finance team
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Demonstrable experience working with sophisticated ERP systems
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Track record of improving the timeliness and quality of financial reporting
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Experience managing cross-border financial operations; between the UK and US specifically is advantageous
Desirable Attributes
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Background in practice with a Big 4 or mid-tier practice
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Experience supporting a business through a fundraise or M&A process
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Familiarity with defence, engineering, or government contracting financial environments
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Experience with ERP or finance system implementation or improvement
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Familiarity with financial modelling
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Knowledge of PowerQuery and Dynamic Arrays
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Exposure to R&D tax credit claims
- Knowledge of US state-level tax compliance
Essential Skills & Attributes
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Technically strong accountant, confident operating without guidance from a qualified CFO
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Advanced Excel skills
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Excellent communicator, able to present financial information clearly to non-finance stakeholders
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Proactive and self-directed; someone who identifies problems and drives solutions without being prompted
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Commercial acumen — an understanding of how financial decisions translate into business outcomes
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Comfortable working in an entrepreneurial, founder-led environment where pace and pragmatism matter
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Genuine interest in leveraging AI and technology to modernise financial processes.
What Sets You Apart
The ideal candidate will be someone who made the move from practice into industry and thrived — someone who brought the technical rigour of a professional training environment and married it with the commercial pragmatism that industry demands. You will be comfortable being the most technically qualified person in the room and acting accordingly, while remaining a collaborative and accessible team leader.
You won’t wait to be asked. You’ll identify where reporting can be faster, where processes can be tighter, and where technology can reduce manual burden — and you’ll act on it. This is a genuine opportunity to shape a finance function during an exciting period of growth.
Culture and Leadership Fit
OpenWorks Engineering has been built on a foundation of trust, technical excellence, and a genuine commitment to the markets we serve. As a senior member of the leadership team, you will be expected to embody and champion these values — not just within the finance function, but across the business as a whole. We are a close-knit team where collaboration, candour, and mutual respect are not aspirational qualities but everyday realities, and we take great care to protect and nurture that culture as we grow.
The ability to engage openly with colleagues, contribute constructively to leadership discussions, and exercise sound judgement in a dynamic and sometimes ambiguous environment will be just as important as technical capability. If you are energised by working in a high-performing, purpose-driven business where your contribution genuinely matters, we would love to hear from you.
What OpenWorks Offers The Right Candidate
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Responsibility and freedom
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A high energy and dynamic work environment
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A positive company culture - we enable change, encourage challenge and demonstrate commitment
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Attractive salary
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Discretionary bonus package of up to 25% of salary
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Enhanced Pension with up to 8% employer-matched contributions
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Breakfast and a freshly cooked lunch everyday, plus bottomless coffee!
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Health insurance: coverage to ensure your wellbeing
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Death in Benefit cover, to protect those close to you
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25 days annual leave, boost your holiday via our long-service holiday entitlement policy
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Flexible working on a case-by-case basis
More About Us
Vision
Help protect the territory and airspace of NATO countries and their allies.
Mission
Be a world-leading provider of autonomous technology for Surveillance applications and Defence
Values
Be a Good Egg: Earn respect, have mutual trust and be honest.
Do cool stuff: We develop cool tech with an awesome team, and we get stuff done.
Be empowered: We are autonomous, reliable and take personal responsibility.
We are one team: Look out for each other and the team.
Things go wrong: Fail fast, learn and move on.
Have fun: We're doing amazing things with passionate people.
