User Charges Finance Business Partner

The Finance Business Partner is a critical enabler of business area and company performance by taking responsibility for all matters relating to strategic planning, annual budgeting, periodic forecasting, monthly performance management and investment management. This is a key role with a candidate joining an inclusive team, working collaboratively with functional business areas, in a hybrid working model.

Airport User Charges is a significant cost area for our business covering landing and passenger charges, parking, airport handling, and navigation costs. The Business Partner for Airport User Charges is responsible for all matters relating to airport contracts and consultations, delivering target savings, long term financial planning, annual budgeting, monthly performance management and ad hoc projects. Please note that this role is a 9 Month Fixed Term Contract position. 

Your responsibilities as a Finance Business Partner for Airport User Charges will include:

• Become a trusted finance business partner, in particular with respect to negotiations with key airports and related suppliers on short, medium and long term contracts. This will involve working with subject matter experts both within Aer Lingus and across the wider IAG Group operating companies and Procurement team.
• Responsible for budgets, forecasts, and business plans (covering Operating Expenditure (“OPEX”) and Capital Expenditure (“CAPEX”)).
• Evaluate investment proposals and business cases and providing financial assessment support on costs and benefits.
• Collaborate with functional management to identify, evaluate, and implement medium to long term initiatives to exploit revenue/commercial opportunities and address commercial and operational challenges.
• Identify, track and support cost reduction initiative/incentives and work with functional management and other teams across the organisation to identify and implement synergies.
• Develop KPIs, forecasts, business reviews to be structured, forward looking and commercially oriented. Understand and explain performance variances; work with business managers to identify remedial measures if required and develop forecasts considering underlying variance causes and corrective actions.
• Take ownership of explaining, interpreting and analysing financial results relating to the business area. Manage strategic and tactical KPIs and bring insights to senior leadership team.

• Qualified accountant or similar type financial qualification with post qualification experience.
• Previous experience in financial role (analyst, financial accountant, FP&A etc.) at publicly listed company or comparatively large private company.
• Accustomed to operating in a complex, highly competitive and margin focused business environment.
• Keen analytical ability allowing meaningful review of facts and numbers and ability to couple this to solutions and actions.
• Working in partnership with non-financial management in addition to other functions (IT, HR, Legal) to deliver the future direction of the business.
• Excellent knowledge of Microsoft Office suite of software applications combined with general proficiency in IT systems.
• Proven ability to systematically analyse and apply internal management financial and non-financial data to generate new ideas, improve business performance and track results.
• Fluent in English, both written and spoken.
• Eligible to live and work in the EU.
• Provide three verifiable references.
• Hold a current unrestricted worldwide passport.
• Able to pass an aviation security vetting process, that includes an enhanced background check or be in possession of a current airside pass for the airport as this position is based in Dublin.

Closing Date: 12th March 2024.

At Aer Lingus, we embrace diversity and believe in providing equal opportunities to all qualified individuals. We are dedicated to cultivating an inclusive and respectful work environment that values employees unique backgrounds, experiences, and perspectives. We do not discriminate based on race, gender, sexual orientation, age, disability, or any other protected status. If you have any questions or require any accommodations to support you in your application, please contact us at recruitaerlingus.com.