Head of UK Sales Finance

About the job

We have an exciting role become available within our UK Sales Finance function. As the Head of Sales Finance UK you'll support MBDA UK business winning activity in the export domain by operating as the SF expert within bid teams.

Salary: Competitive

Dynamic (hybrid) working: 2/3 days per week on-site due to workload classification

Security Clearance: British Citizen or a Dual UK national with British citizenship.

Restrictions and/or limitations relating to nationality and/or rights to work may apply. As a minimum and after offer stage, all successful candidates will need to undergo HMG Basic Personnel Security Standard checks (BPSS), which are managed by the MBDA Personnel Security Team.

What we can offer you:

• Company Bonus: Bonus of up to 35.5% of base salary
• Pension: maximum total (employer and employee) contribution of up to 14%
• Car allowance: £510 per month
• Private Medical insurance
• Flexible working: We welcome applicants who are looking for flexible working arrangements
• Enhanced parental leave: offers up to 26 weeks for maternity, adoption and shared parental leave -enhancements are available for paternity leave, neonatal leave and fertility testing and treatments
• Facilities: Fantastic site facilities including subsidised meals, free car parking and much more…

The opportunity:

The Head of Sales Finance UK will manage the UK Sales Finance (SF) function, supported by one Sales Finance Manager and a Sales Finance Officer. Primarily, the successful candidate will support MBDA UK business winning activity in the export domain by operating as the SF expert within bid teams.

They will provide expert advice and direction both internally and externally throughout the bid phase and will support contract negotiation with export customers whilst ensuring the timely and proper establishment of financial instruments and related risk management instruments. Further, they will oversee the operation of financial instruments and related risk management instruments once they are in the execution phase in order to minimise the risk and exposure of MBDA UK on export business. The role reports into the Group Head of Sales Finance.

The Head of UK Sales Finance will be responsible for the management and execution of UK Sales Finance responsibilities on export bids and contracts, alongside UK functional matters, including;

• Lead SF aspects for MBDA UK export bids/campaigns as part of the wider bid team, including i) negotiating directly with overseas customers, ii) assessing customer financing requirements and finding/establishing financing solutions, and iii) ensuring that agreed positions on SF/finance matters remain inside the Company mandate and are reflected in customer contracts
• Providing direction on SF topics into export bids, calculating the SF cost-base, directing SF positions on T&Cs (clauses, annexes, models, templates) and instruments (Buyer Credit, Letter of Credit [L/Cs], Guarantees, other finance related matters)
• Leading the set-up of dedicated contract financing arrangements where a Customer elects to use a Buyer Credit scheme
• Overseeing the SF middle-office during the contract execution phase to ensure all SF activities align with progress of contract and that MBDA UKs risk and exposure is minimised throughout the execution phase of export contracts
• Supporting the contract amendment process with Sales & Business Development (SBD) & Export Contract Management (ECM) to ensure the continuous operability of financial instruments, minimisation of financial risk/exposure and validity of SF positions as export contracts evolves
• Maintaining key external finance relationships (Banks, Insurers and UK Export Finance), including securing appropriate capacity within the market to support MBDA UKs finance requirements on export contracts and negotiating terms/pricing with these partners for respective instruments. Support the set-up and maintenance of appropriate MBDA UK and MBDA Group Banking/credit facilities.

• Enhance the profile of SF across the UK business; run a continuous internal education programme on SF instruments and topics for key stakeholders
• Support to the wider MBDA Group SF team, sharing best practice and driving functional improvement across SF UK and into SF Group
• Contribute to development of Group Treasury function through participation at Treasury / Risk / Insurance managers meetings

What we're looking for from you:

• Experience working on defence industry contracting and/or financial industry with focus on trade and export financing in an international environment
• Strong ability to negotiate and remain resilient in high-pressure situations
• Takes ownership and drives topics to positive conclusions
• A positive, ‘can-do' attitude, particularly towards finding innovative solutions with customers
• Strong relationship and inter-personal skills to form trusted networks internally across functions/directorates and externally
• Ability to work independently
• Proactive, curious
• Professional and articulate
• Ability and willingness to travel internationally, sometimes at short notice
• Proficiency in fundamental Microsoft Office programs; Word, Powerpoint, Excel

Our company: Peace is not a given, Freedom is not a given, Sovereignty is not a given

MBDA is a leading defence organisation.  We are proud of the role we play in supporting the Armed Forces who protect our nations. We partner with governments to work together towards a common goal, defending our freedom.

We are proud of our employee-led networks, examples include: Gender Equality, Pride, Menopause Matters, Parents and Carers, Armed Forces, Ethnic Diversity, Neurodiversity, Disability and more…

We recognise that everyone is unique, and we encourage you to speak to us should you require any advice, support or adjustments throughout our recruitment process.

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