Finance Director

Job Description:

Saab, Inc. is seeking a Finance Director to manage the financial integrity and performance of the Surveillance division, leading financial planning, reporting, program finance, pricing, government compliance and business decision support. As a key member of the division leadership team, this role converts financial and operational insight into action, safeguards the company’s financial and regulatory position, and builds the finance capabilities required to support profitable growth.  This position will report directly to the Vice President of Operations Finance within the Finance and Accounting organization and serve as the primary finance partner and advisor to the VP/GM of the Surveillance Division. 

This opportunity is located in Syracuse, NY at Saab, USA headquarters.  Paid relocation will be available for this role.  

Responsibilities will include, but are not limited to: 

• Build and lead a high-performing finance organization through workforce planning, talent acquisition, performance management, succession planning, and career development; continually evolve the finance operating model, organizational structure, and capabilities to support growth, regulatory requirements, and strategic priorities.

• Serve as the principal financial advisor to the Surveillance General Manager and senior leadership team, providing independent financial judgment, executive decision support, and end-to-end controllership for the division.

• Partner with division leadership to shape growth strategy, evaluate investments and business opportunities, and translate strategic priorities into measurable financial and operational objectives, while providing decision-ready insights on performance, risks, opportunities, and trade-offs.

• Represent the division in financial reviews with the CEO, CFO, Business Unit leadership, and international Saab Business Area Controllers, ensuring alignment with corporate planning, reporting, governance, and performance priorities.

• Lead the division’s financial planning and performance management, including the annual budget, five-year business plan, quarterly forecasts, financial operating rhythm, and performance metrics, with accountability for profitability, cash flow, working capital, risk management, and forecast accuracy.

• Own the accuracy and integrity of financial reporting and governance, oversee monthly and quarterly close, management reporting, significant accounting judgments, capital allocation, and continuous improvement of finance systems and processes.

• Provide executive oversight of the division’s U.S. Government compliance framework, ensuring business and contract practices comply with applicable regulatory requirements.

• Lead financial strategy, costing, and pricing for U.S. Government and commercial proposals, assessing profitability, cash flow, and financial risk throughout capture, negotiation, and award; oversee forward pricing rate submissions and ensure alignment among estimating practices, actual cost accounting, and government requirements.

• Serve as the senior finance interface with government agencies, leading support for audits, business-system reviews, rate matters, government reporting, and compliance inquiries and ensuring financial positions are well-supported, consistently applied, and defensible.

• Ensure effective intercompany controls for international transactions, including appropriate documentation, approvals, and financial reporting.

• Elevate financial acumen across the division by establishing performance standards, coaching business leaders, and enabling data-driven decision-making, while championing standardization, automation, and system improvements that enhance data quality, controls, scalability, and decision-making speed.

Compensation Range: $165,700 - $223,800

The compensation range provided is a general guideline. When extending an offer, Saab, Inc. considers factors including (but not limited to) the role and associated responsibilities, location, and market and business considerations, as well as the candidate's work experience, key skills, and education/training.

Skills and Experience:

Required experience:

• Bachelor’s degree in Finance, Accounting, Business, Economics, Engineering or a related discipline, or equivalent relevant experience.  

• 12+ years of progressively responsible experience in finance, accounting, business management, analytics or consulting, including substantial leadership responsibility in a complex, project based, regulated or technology enabled organization.  

• Demonstrated experience leading a finance, accounting, business management or multidisciplinary analytics team, including organizational design, talent development, performance management and succession planning.  

• Proven ability to serve as a trusted advisor to general managers and senior executives, translating financial, operational and market information into clear recommendations and accountable business actions.  

• Broad financial leadership experience spanning financial planning, performance management, controllership, investment analysis, financial reporting and business decision support.   

• Demonstrated success leading significant organizational or finance transformation, including process redesign, operating model changes, systems implementation, automation, data modernization or business integration.  

• Strong understanding of U.S. GAAP and experience applying accounting principles, financial controls and sound judgment within a complex operating environment.  

• Proven ability to use data, analytics and technology to improve forecast quality, identify risks and opportunities, develop scalable performance mechanisms and accelerate decision making.  

• Ability to lead through influence across finance, operations, engineering, program management, contracts and other cross-functional organizations, including in a global or matrixed environment.  

• Executive level communication skills, including the ability to synthesize complex issues, constructively challenge assumptions and present concise, decision-ready recommendations.  

• Ability to operate effectively in an evolving, high growth environment, balancing strategic leadership with accountability for execution, accuracy and results.  

• Willingness and ability to travel domestically and internationally, as business needs require (roughly 15%).  

Preferred qualifications:

• MBA, CPA, CMA or another relevant advanced degree or professional certification.  

• Leadership experience in aerospace and defense, U.S. Government contracting, a scaling technology company, a data and analytics intensive business, or a leading consulting or professional services firm.  

• Demonstrated knowledge of FAR, DFARS and CAS; DCAA or DCMA audits and business system reviews; forward pricing rates; government proposals 

• Experience in program finance or project based economics, including revenue recognition, EAC, margin realization, backlog, cash flow and working capital.  

• Experience leading ERP, enterprise planning, business intelligence, data governance, automation or AI-enabled finance initiatives.  

• Experience supporting rapid growth, acquisitions, business integration, organizational redesign or the development of scalable finance capabilities.  

• Track record of recruiting, developing and retaining high-performing teams with diverse finance, accounting, technology, analytics and business backgrounds. 

• Experience with IFRS, multinational reporting, intercompany transactions and transfer pricing.  

• Experience operating in a regulated, government contracting or similarly complex compliance environment, with the ability to understand and oversee the financial implications of contractual and regulatory requirements.  

• Ability to lead and appropriately challenge technical specialists in government accounting, pricing, contracts, compliance and audit matters while maintaining accountability for the division’s overall financial and regulatory position.  

Citizenship Requirements:

Must be a U.S. citizen. Applicants selected may be subject to a government security investigation and must meet eligibility requirements for access to classified information.

Drug-Free Workplaces:

Saab is a federal government contractor and adheres to policies and programs necessary for sustaining drug-free workplaces. As a condition of employment, candidates will be required to pass a pre-employment drug screen.

Benefits:

Saab provides an excellent working environment offering professional growth opportunities, competitive wages, work-life balance, a business casual atmosphere and comprehensive benefits.

Highlights include:

• Medical, vision, and dental insurance for employees and dependents

• Generous paid time off, including 8 designated holidays

• 401(k) with employer contributions

• Tuition assistance and student loan assistance

• Wellness and employee assistance resources

• Employee stock purchase opportunities

• Short-term and long-term disability coverage

About Us:

Saab is a leading defense and security company with an enduring purpose, to help nations keep their people and society safe. Empowered by its 28,000 talented people, Saab constantly pushes the boundaries of technology to create a safer and more sustainable world. In the U.S., Saab delivers advanced technology and systems, supporting the U.S. Armed Forces and the Federal Aviation Administration, as well as international and commercial partners. Headquartered in Syracuse, New York, the company has business units and local employees in ten U.S. locations.

Saab is a company where we see diversity as an asset and offer unlimited opportunities for advancing in your career. We are also a company that respects each person’s needs and encourage employees to lead a balanced, rewarding life beyond work. Saab values diversity and is an Affirmative Action employer for protected veterans and individuals with disabilities. Saab is an Equal Employment Opportunity employer, all qualified individuals are encouraged to apply and will be considered for employment without regard to race, color, religion, national origin, sex (including pregnancy), sexual orientation, gender identity, age, veteran, disability status, or any other federal, state, or locally protected category.