Senior Financial Analyst (Aviation)

Note: Experience working in the aviation industry is mandatory. Job Purpose: The Senior Financial Analyst (Aviation) will build and lead a disciplined finance function for Cambridge Growth Partners, with particular responsibility for the Group’s new aviation business, Cambridge Air. The role will provide management with timely and reliable financial information, protect cash and assets through strong controls, ensure statutory and regulatory compliance, and deliver commercial insight that improves profitability, liquidity management and capital allocation. The job holder will be responsible for robust internal and external reporting, budgeting and forecasting, treasury and working-capital management, common cost allocation, tax and Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC) compliance, and the development of financial reporting and control processes appropriate for a growing aviation business. Key Responsibilities: Prepare, review and deliver accurate and timely monthly, quarterly and annual internal and external financial reports for the Group and Cambridge Air. Prepare a monthly management pack for executive management and Board review, highlighting financial performance, cash position, key variances, risks and management actions. Lead annual budgeting, periodic reforecasting and rolling cash-flow forecasting, with clear variance analysis against budget and prior periods. Oversee treasury, liquidity and working-capital management, including short-term cash planning, bank relationships, payment controls, accounts receivable and credit control. Maintain strong financial controls and ensure the integrity, accuracy and reliability of financial systems, processes and data. Oversee common cost allocation across Group entities to ensure shared costs are allocated on a fair, consistent and transparent basis. Ensure full compliance with Nigerian statutory requirements, including tax obligations, CAC filings and other relevant regulatory submissions. Manage relationships with external auditors, tax authorities, banks and other finance-related stakeholders. Drive effective use and continuous improvement of the Group’s ERP system and finance processes, including appropriate automation and management reporting. Support and control month-end and year-end close processes and ensure timely submission of all required financial information. Provide financial modelling, investment analysis and decision support for major capital commitments, aircraft acquisitions, leases, financing arrangements and other strategic initiatives. Develop and maintain finance policies, delegated authorities, approval limits and reporting procedures suitable for Cambridge Air as the business scales. Aviation Commercial Finance Responsibilities Develop aircraft-by-aircraft, flight-by-flight and customer-by-customer profitability analysis to support pricing and commercial decisions. Track and report key aviation performance indicators, including aircraft utilisation, revenue per block hour, direct operating cost per hour, charter margin, repositioning/empty-leg costs and fleet contribution margin. Analyse major operating cost drivers, including aviation fuel, maintenance, handling, crew, insurance, navigation, airport and other trip-related costs. Monitor foreign-currency exposures arising from USD-denominated aviation costs and provide management with clear visibility of FX impacts and funding requirements. Support charter pricing, route economics, customer credit decisions and contract reviews from a financial perspective. Evaluate aircraft purchase, lease and financing alternatives, including cash-flow, return, leverage and sensitivity analysis. Establish appropriate financial controls over aviation vendors, trip expenses, fuel purchases, maintenance payments and other high-value or international payments. Qualifications & Experience Bachelor’s degree in Accounting, Finance, Economics or a related discipline. Professional accounting qualification (ACA, ACCA, CPA or equivalent) is required. Approximately 8–12 years of progressive finance, accounting or related experience. 3–5 years of Big 4 accounting or advisory experience is strongly preferred, ideally followed by meaningful commercial finance experience. Demonstrated experience owning management reporting, budgeting, cash-flow forecasting, financial controls and financial analysis in a commercial environment. Aviation industry experience is highly desirable; experience in another asset-intensive, operational or USD-cost business will also be considered. Strong knowledge of Nigerian statutory and regulatory requirements, including tax and CAC compliance. Proven experience using ERP systems is mandatory; advanced Excel and financial modelling capability is required. Skills & Competencies Strong commercial and financial judgement, with the ability to move beyond reporting numbers to explaining performance and recommending actions. Excellent analytical, numerical, financial modelling and problem-solving skills. Strong understanding of cash management, internal controls, budgeting and management accounting. High attention to detail and commitment to accuracy, integrity and confidentiality. Excellent written and verbal communication skills, including the ability to present financial information clearly to senior management and non-finance stakeholders. Ability to work independently, prioritise effectively and meet tight deadlines in a fast-growing environment. Strong stakeholder management and interpersonal skills. Proactive, hands-on approach with a continuous-improvement mindset and willingness to build processes where they do not yet exist. Success Measures Accurate and timely monthly management accounts and Board reporting. Reliable rolling cash-flow visibility and disciplined working-capital management. Strong financial controls with minimal audit or compliance exceptions. Clear visibility of Cambridge Air’s aircraft, flight and customer profitability. Improved quality and timeliness of budgeting, forecasting and management decision support. Scalable finance systems, policies and processes capable of supporting Cambridge Air’s growth.