Senior Finance Manager - FP&A Operations

GE Aerospace • Elgin Township, IL

5d • $120,000 - $160,000

About The Position

The Sr Finance Manager – FP&A Operations is a key finance leader supporting the GE Aerospace Research Center. In this role, you will own the financial planning, analysis, and reporting processes that enable cutting-edge aerospace research and technology development. You will partner closely with engineering and operational leaders, providing the insights and guidance needed to make high-impact decisions on investments, programs, and resources. This is a highly visible role with broad scope, ideal for a finance leader who enjoys combining hands-on analytics, business partnership, and continuous improvement in a dynamic, innovation-focused environment.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in Finance, Accounting, Economics, Business, or a related field from an accredited university or college.
• 5+ years of relevant finance experience (FP&A, controllership, program finance, or related roles); experience in an industrial, technology, R&D, or aerospace environment is strongly preferred.
• Demonstrated experience leading budgeting, forecasting, and financial reporting processes with ownership for deadlines and quality of output.
• Proven ability to analyze complex data, develop insights, and communicate clear recommendations to non-finance stakeholders, including senior leaders.
• Strong proficiency with Excel and financial modeling; experience with enterprise planning/reporting tools (e.g., Oracle, SAP, Hyperion, or similar) is a plus.
• Demonstrated stakeholder management and influencing skills, with experience partnering cross-functionally (e.g., engineering, operations, or program teams).
• Experience driving or participating in process improvement initiatives, including standardization, automation, or simplification efforts.
• Legal authorization to work in the U.S. is required. We will not sponsor individuals for employment visas, now or in the future, for this job opening.

Nice To Haves

• Strong communication and presence: Excellent oral and written communication skills, with the ability to tailor messages to different audiences and effectively tell the story behind the numbers.
• Leadership and project ownership: Demonstrated ability to lead projects and programs end-to-end, manage competing priorities, and deliver results on tight timelines.
• Problem solving and critical thinking: Proven track record of analyzing and resolving complex problems, with a bias for action and continuous improvement.
• Collaboration and interpersonal skills: Strong interpersonal skills with the ability to build trust, influence without authority, and work effectively across levels and functions.

Responsibilities

• Own the full annual budget process for the Niskayuna Aerospace Research site, including headcount, operating expenses, and capital expenditures (P&E) by coordinating inputs across engineering, operations, and functional teams to deliver a high-quality, timely operating plan.
• Lead forecasting, pacing, and monthly/quarterly reporting for key financial KPIs within established finance cadences while providing clear, actionable analysis and storytelling to leadership.
• Collaborate with GRC platform leaders and engineering operating/finance teams to deliver robust reporting and insights on program and platform financial performance.
• Partner with operational leaders by providing proactive financial direction and support on decisions affecting cost, investments, headcount, and resource allocation while challenging assumptions constructively and help shape strategies that balance innovation, cost, and long-term value.
• Serve as P&E process owner for the site, improving and leveraging existing processes to facilitate approvals of P&E spend and track execution and delivery of approved projects to ensure value realization and adherence to budgets and timelines.
• Drive continuous improvement in finance processes, tools, and reporting through Flight Deck principles by simplifying and standardizing workflows, enhancing data visibility, and reducing cycle times through use of daily management and structured problem solving.
• Partner with the government accounting team to provide audit support through targeted data analysis and documentation.
• Work closely with the controllership team to complete monthly/quarterly/annual closing activities as assigned and ensure accurate, compliant financial results.
• Act as an escalation point for internal billing issues, partnering with the internal billing process owner to resolve issues quickly and drive process improvements.
• Exemplify and role-model GE Leadership Behaviors by acting with humility, leading with transparency, and delivering with focus.

Benefits

• GE Aerospace offers comprehensive benefits and programs to support your health and, along with programs like HealthAhead, your physical, emotional, financial and social wellbeing.
• Healthcare benefits include medical, dental, vision, and prescription drug coverage; access to a Health Coach from GE Aerospace; and the Employee Assistance Program, which provides 24/7 confidential assessment, counseling and referral services.
• Retirement benefits include the GE Aerospace Retirement Savings Plan, a 401(k) savings plan with company matching contributions and company retirement contributions, as well as access to Fidelity resources and planning consultants.
• Other benefits include tuition assistance, adoption assistance, paid parental leave, disability insurance, life insurance, and paid time-off for vacation or illness.
• GE Aerospace (General Electric Company or the Company) and its affiliates each sponsor certain employee benefit plans or programs (i.e., is a “Sponsor”). Each Sponsor reserves the right to terminate, amend, suspend, replace or modify its benefit plans and programs at any time and for any reason, in its sole discretion. No individual has a vested right to any benefit under a Sponsor’s welfare benefit plan or program.
• This document does not create a contract of employment with any individual.
• Additional Information GE Aerospace offers a great work environment, professional development, challenging careers, and competitive compensation.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Mid Level