Senior Manager, Finance

Senior Manager, Finance

The Senior Manager, Finance is responsible for leading all financial planning, analysis, reporting, and control activities for the Salt Lake City site. This role ensures accurate, timely, and compliant financial information; drives operational and strategic insights; and serves as a key business partner to site leadership. The Senior Manager provides guidance for annual planning, forecasting, cost control, and program financial performance. This position enables informed decision making through strong financial stewardship, operational support, and alignment with AEC financial standards and business objectives.

The finance teams within AEC are currently transitioning from a site orientated approach to a segmented (Commercial vs Defense) approach across all AEC facilities. This role will be in support of the Defense segment and (currently) includes work scope in Salt Lake City, Utah and Boerne, Texas.

Job Responsibilities

• Serve as a key financial business partner to the SLC General Manager, Operations leadership, Defense Program Management, and AEC Finance Leadership.
• Lead the site's annual operating plan, quarterly forecasts, and monthly outlook processes, ensuring quality, accuracy, and alignment with segment expectations.
• Support new business initiatives, program performance reviews, and strategic planning through financial modeling and data-driven insights.
• Ensure timely completion of monthly financial reporting in accordance with corporate policies and financial controls.
• Lead financial analysis and reporting processes that support sound decision-making, including variance analysis, cost drivers, margin dynamics, and financial risks/opportunities.

Essential Functions

• Hands-on leadership of the site Finance function, overseeing cost accounting, reporting, forecasting, and analysis.
• Ensure accurate EAC/ETC development, trend monitoring, and performance analysis for site programs.
• Maintain forecasting discipline including trend analysis, scenario modeling, and monthly performance reporting.
• Familiarity with government contracting (FAR, CAS, DFARS).
• Lead analysis of program cost and schedule trends, identifying root causes and partnering with functional owners to drive improvement.
• Ensure compliance with internal financial policies, GAAP standards, controls, and audit requirements.
• Provide guidance to Program Managers and operational leadership regarding contract financial performance, program margins, cost management, and forecasting.
• Develop and maintain financial models supporting labor, material, productivity, capital investments, and operational performance.
• Manage integrated reporting for Orders, Sales, EBIT, and Cash, ensuring timely, actionable insights for leadership.
• Support internal and external audit requirements related to financial reporting and internal controls

Preferred Additional Skills

• Proven leadership experience managing finance teams in a manufacturing or aerospace environment.
• Experience developing EACs and managing program financial performance.
• Experience with operational finance, including productivity, cost reduction, and continuous improvement.
• Expertise with ERP systems (SAP experience preferred).
• Strong analytical skills with advanced Excel and financial modeling capability.
• Ability to partner effectively with Program Management, Operations, Supply Chain, and other cross-functional teams.
• Experience supporting capital investment proposals and ROI analysis.

Supervisory Responsibility: Yes

Supervises the site-level Finance team, responsible for staffing, performance management, coaching, development, and succession planning.

Qualifications / Characteristics

• Bachelor's degree in Finance, Accounting, Business, or related field; MBA or CPA preferred.
• 7+ years progressive finance experience in manufacturing, aerospace, or engineering environments.
• Demonstrated ability to deliver accurate financial results on time in a complex, fast-paced environment.
• Strong business acumen with ability to work across all levels of the organization.
• Proven capability to manage multiple priorities with speed, accuracy, and accountability.
• Strong commitment to operational partnership, continuous improvement, and shared success.

Observed Behaviors and Demonstrated Past Performance

• Passion for delivering high-quality results and inspiring a culture of accountability.
• Persistence and resilience in the face of competing priorities, resource constraints, or operational challenges.
• Ability to build and sustain high-performing teams through development and mentorship.
• Operates with decisiveness, sound judgment, and minimal need for follow-up.
• Strong interpersonal skills with the ability to partner up, down, and across the organization.
• Demonstrated track record of expanding responsibility, increasing impact, and improving team/organizational outcomes.
• Ability to lead by example, coach effectively, and set high standards for performance and results.

Working Conditions

Office environment with regular engagement on the production floor. Moderate to quiet noise levels. Not routinely exposed to adverse environmental conditions. Must be able to work extended hours during close cycles and planning periods as business needs require. Some remote work may be possible. Travel may be required.