Worker Type

Regular

Job Description

 

Summary

The Director of Finance, Business Operations will be responsible for overseeing and improving the processes, policies, systems, and training that enable consistent, efficient, scalable and compliant business finance execution across the segment. Reporting to the Segment CFO, this role will ensure that all finance workstreams — including quoting/pricing, program finance, financial planning & analysis, cost accounting, revenue, internal controls, and compliance — operate with standardized methodologies and best practices. The Director will act as a central integrator, driving business operations excellence, enabling scalability, and ensuring alignment with corporate policies and strategic objectives.

Primary Success Factors

Proven ability to design and implement standardized finance processes that improve efficiency and accuracy.Strong understanding of end-to-end business finance workstreams in a Defense Technology environment.Skilled at developing and delivering training programs that build organizational capability.Demonstrated success in driving compliance, governance, and continuous improvement across finance functions.Effective collaborator with strong communication skills, able to influence at all levels of the organization.

Position Responsibilities

Lead the development, implementation, and oversight of segment-level finance processes and policies, ensuring compliance with corporate, regulatory, and customer requirements.Standardize business finance methodologies across program finance, FP&A, and other core finance workstreams.Establish governance frameworks and internal controls to support financial accuracy, compliance, and risk management.Partner with finance and program leadership to identify opportunities for process automation and digital enablement.Design and deliver training programs and toolkits to strengthen finance competencies across the segment.Monitor the effectiveness of finance operations processes through metrics, audits, and feedback loops.Drive continuous improvement initiatives to streamline workflows, reduce cycle times, and enhance data quality.Act as a liaison between segment finance teams and corporate finance to ensure alignment with enterprise standards.Support the CFO in strategic initiatives by providing operational insights and recommendations.

Basic Qualifications (Required Skills & Experience)

Bachelor’s degree in Finance, Accounting, Business, or related field; MBA, CPA, or CMA preferred.Minimum of 12 years of relevant experience required.5+ years of progressive finance leadership experience, including significant exposure to finance operations, governance, or transformation initiatives.Aerospace & Defense industry experience required, with knowledge of U.S. Government contracting, FAR/DFARS, CAS, and earned value management practices.Strong knowledge of finance systems (e.g.,Oracle Fusion, SAP, CostPoint, Unanet, Hyperion, Deltek Cobra, MS Project, Salesforce, Workday) and how they enable business processes.Demonstrated ability to design and implement training and change management programs.Excellent leadership, communication, and stakeholder engagement skills.

Other Qualifications & Desired Competencies

Process-driven mindset with focus on governance, scalability, and compliance.Strategic thinker with ability to translate vision into actionable processes.Strong problem-solving and analytical skills.Collaborative leader who fosters teamwork and alignment across functions.Results-oriented with a focus on execution and accountability.Demonstrates competency work cross functionally and influence others through strong interpersonal and communication skills.Uses vision to think beyond the immediate situation, explore multiple potential paths, and adapt decision-making style based on the situational circumstancesInspires, motivates, and empowers people to deliver organizational goals, while also delivering value back to employeesBrings organizational values to life using personality, uniqueness and the creation of a shared visionChampions the process of change and promotes a culture of quick adaptation while helping others deal with the effects of changeDemonstrates the ability to develop and maintain internal and external trusting, professional relationshipsAssesses the degree of risk and opportunity in plans or actions and takes appropriate action to mitigate them or makes plans to build on the opportunity

Physical Demands

Ability to work in an office environment (Constant)Required to sit and stand for long periods; talk, hear, and use hands and fingers to operate a computer and telephone keyboard (Frequent)

Environmental Conditions Critical to Performance

Work is in an office environment, climate controlled through central air conditioning/heating.

Special Requirements

U.S. Citizen or U.S. Permanent Resident (Green Card holder) required, per ITAR definition

The salary range for this role is:

$165,580 - $234,465

AeroVironment considers several factors when extending an offer, including but not limited to, the location, the role and associated responsibilities, a candidate’s work experience, education/training, and key skills.

ITAR Requirement:

This position requires access to information that is subject to compliance with the International Traffic Arms Regulations (“ITAR”) and/or the Export Administration Regulations (“EAR”). In order to comply with the requirements of the ITAR and/or the EAR, applicants must qualify as a U.S. person under the ITAR and the EAR, or a person to be approved for an export license by the governing agency whose technology comes under its jurisdiction. Please understand that any job offer that requires approval of an export license will be conditional on AeroVironment’s determination that it will be able to obtain an export license in a time frame consistent with AeroVironment’s business requirements. A “U.S. person” according to the ITAR definition is a U.S. citizen, U.S. lawful permanent resident (green card holder), or protected individual such as a refugee or asylee. See 22 CFR § 120.15. Some positions will require current U.S. Citizenship due to contract requirements.

Benefits:  AV offers an excellent benefits package including medical, dental vision, 401K with company matching, a 9/80 work schedule and a paid holiday shutdown.  For more information about our company benefit offerings please visit:  http://www.avinc.com/myavbenefits.

We also encourage you to review our company website at http://www.avinc.com to learn more about us.

Principals only need apply.  NO agencies please.

Who We Are

Based in California, AeroVironment (AVAV) is a global leader in unmanned aircraft systems (UAS) and tactical missile systems. Founded in 1971 by celebrated physicist and engineer, Dr. Paul MacCready, we’ve been at the leading edge of technical innovation for more than 45 years. Be a part of the team that developed the world’s most widely used military drones and created the first submarine-launched reconnaissance drone, and has seven innovative vehicles that are part of the Smithsonian Institution’s permanent collection in Washington, DC.

Join us today in developing the next generation of small UAS and tactical missile systems that will deliver more actionable intelligence to our customers so they can proceed with certainty – and succeed.

What We Do

Building on a history of technological innovation, AeroVironment designs, develops, produces, and supports an advanced portfolio of unmanned aircraft systems (UAS) and tactical missile systems.  Agencies of the U.S. Department of Defense and allied military services use the company’s hand-launched UAS to provide situational awareness to tactical operating units through real-time, airborne reconnaissance, surveillance, and target acquisition.

We are proud to be an EEO/AA Equal Opportunity Employer, including disability/veterans. AeroVironment, Inc. is an Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) employer and welcomes all qualified applicants. Qualified applicants will receive fair and impartial consideration without regard to race, sex, color, religion, national origin, age, disability, protected veteran status, genetic data, sexual orientation, gender identity or other legally protected status.

ITAR

U.S. Citizenship required. Must be willing to work on government contracts and have the ability to obtain a security clearance.