Head of Operations Finance

easyJet Airline Company PLC; Greater London; Hybrid; GBP 90,000 - 120,000; Full time

Job summary

A major low-cost airline in the UK seeks a Head of Operations Finance to lead financial planning, analysis, and support for the COO and Operations leadership team. The ideal candidate will possess a professional finance qualification and over 10 years of experience in cross-functional finance leadership. Responsibilities include shaping budgets, leading a finance team, and driving strategic cost initiatives. This is a full-time role based in Luton with hybrid working options.

Benefits

Hybrid working

Qualifications

• 10+ years leading cross-functional finance teams in EMEA or global organisations.
• Strong knowledge of business process management and operations.
• Proven track record in developing talent and driving high performance.

Responsibilities

• Own planning and analysis and business partnering across core operational areas.
• Shape budgets, monthly reporting, re-forecasting, and strategic planning.
• Lead and develop an Operations Finance team of around 25.

Skills

Senior finance leadership experience

Business partnering skills

Budgeting

Commercial acumen

Education

Professional finance qualification (ACCA, ACA or CIMA)

Job description

Job Description - Head of Operations Finance - FP&A (16612)

Job Description

Head of Operations Finance - FP&A (16612)

Description

Head of Operations Finance

Intro

We are easyJet – a FTSE-100 listed, £multi-billion low-cost airline that serves tens of millions of customers every single year. If you’re reading this, you have probably already been an easyJet customer, and you’ll know that there is no more iconic (or Orange!) travel brand in Europe.
We fly more than 1,207 routes, connecting 38 countries across Europe, and employ more than 18,000 colleagues. We’re on a mission to make low-cost travel easy – and whatever yourǎ role here, you’ll connect millions of people to what they love using Europe’s best airline network, great value fares, and friendly service.
What makes us easyJet? Our Promise Behaviours - we are Safe, Bold,ুহ Welcoming and Challenging. Four Behaviours. One Spirit. One easyJet.

Read on if you:

• Have senior finance leadership experience, partnering at COO level and shaping operational performance across large, complex organisations
• Enjoy leading high-performing teams, driving cost efficiency, and using data and insight to influence strategic decisions
• Can be in our fantastic Luton head office 3 x per week

The Team

Reporting to the Director of FP&A, you’ll be a key member of the Core Finance Leadership team with individual responsibility for financial support to the Chief Operating Officer and the Operations leadership team (-cart base c. £7bn). You’ll collaborate closely with leaders across Ground Operations, Engineering &icket, Crew, Safety, Operations Control and more, acting as a valued partner and trusted advisor.

The Role

As Head of Operations Finance, you’ll own planning and analysis and business partnering across our core operational areas, ensuring decisions are grounded in robust insight and aligned to our strategy.

• Airport
• Ground Handling
• Navigation
• Engineering & Maintenance
• Crew
• Disruption
• Contact Centre
• Fuel

You’ll work hand-in-hand with:

• The Head of Cost Transformation to deliver our strategic cost programme
• The Head of Investments on Fleet finance
• The Head of Commercial Finance on network and schedule impacts, contribution optimisation and cost trade-offs
• The Head of FP&A on in-year forecasts, budget and five-year plan

Key accountabilities include:

• Business instantaneous at pace: Be the COO’s trusted counsel – shaping budgets, monthly reporting, re-forecasting, business case evaluation, strategic planning, deep dive cost analysis and ad hoc projects
• Operations leadership influence: Lead the finance agenda across Operations, challenge for efficiency while keeping safety as the priority, and strengthen ways of working between Operations and Commercial
• Strategic cost programme: Drive sustainable savings, feed into Board reporting, and run monthly cost reviews with targeted deep dives to maintain a competitive cost position
• Core Finance leadership: Lead, motivate and develop an Operations Finance team of c.25 within the wider finance function; contribute to finance strategy and cross-functional collaboration
• Transformational leadership and performance: Embed metrics, insight and analysis that improve outcomes; present to senior executives; highlight emerging risks; catalyse change and support external guidance for results and capital markets days

Requirements of the Role

What we’re looking for

• Professional finance qualification (ACCA, ACA or CIMA)
• 10+ years leading cross-functional finance teams in EMEA or global organisations with multiple business units
• Aviation experience is a plus, not a must
• Outstanding business partnering skills – able to identify value drivers and influence senior stakeholders
• Strong knowledge of business process management, budgeting and operations
• Proven track record in developing talent, driving high performance and leading by example
• Excellent technical and management reporting skills with strong commercial acumen
• Cost and commercial mindset – comfortable evaluating decisions through both lenses
• Resilient, adaptable and effective in dynamic, fast paced environments
• Inclusive leadership that inspires, builds trust and delivers results

Practicalities

This full-time role will be based in Luton and will be 40 hours per week. We support hybrid working and we spend 60% of our time per month in the office.

Reasonable Adjustments

At easyJet, we are dedicated to fostering an inclusive workplace that reflects the diverse customers we serve across Europe. We welcome candidates from all backgrounds. If you require specific adjustments or support during the application or recruitment process, such as extra time for assessments or accessible interview locations, please contact us at [e-mail]. We are committed to providing reasonable adjustments throughout the recruitment process to ensure accessibility and accommodation.

Business Area

Finance

Primary Location