Finance Manager Expansion Business & Investment Planning

Description

This is a new and exciting opportunity supporting Heathrow’s multi‑billion‑pound capital investment programme. The Expansion Business & Investment Planning Team works across the Expanding Heathrow programme, including activities to obtain planning consent through the DCO, develop the future operating model, design, procure and construct new infrastructure, and work with critical stakeholders such as communities and airlines to deliver Heathrow’s commitments.

The Expansion Business & Investment Planning Team is responsible for developing and refining the investment case for an expanded Heathrow, supporting strategic decision‑making through financial evaluation, and setting, reporting, and delivering financial targets for Expansion. The team also provides financial partnering, advice, and guidance to support decision‑making and performance, while ensuring strong integration across the wider business through effective governance, processes, and transparency. The role sits within a wider Investment & Planning team and works closely with colleagues across Finance and the broader Heathrow organisation.

Responsibilities

The role will be focused on (i) long term business planning for expanded Heathrow, (ii)  the overall investment case, (iii) individual investment appraisals, (iv) preparing external disclosures, and (v) providing other ad-hoc support.

(1) Long term business planning for expanded Heathrow.

(2) Investment Case

• Support the Head of Finance, Expansion Business & Investment Planning with project activities and deliverables to develop the expansion business case.
• Scrutinise and challenge all assumptions underpinning the investment case.
• Perform ad-hoc analysis to test and/or support the development of assumptions.
• Manage integrity of financial models used for the investment case.
• Support the development of the investment case: base forecasts, scenarios and sensitivities.
• Support with engagement with external stakeholders and advisors.
• Support with robust and high integrity recording of all information. 

(3) Investment Appraisal

• Support the evaluation of the overall expansion and individual business cases, risks and opportunities, quantified impacts.
• Work closely with business sponsors to develop investment appraisals.
• Review, challenge, refine cases presented for investment appraisals.
• Synthesise complex information to provide clear and concise outputs to support decisions.
• Help manage robust governance processes and disciplined record keeping, controls and management.
• Coordinate advice across accounting, financing and tax.

(4) Internal and External information disclosures

• Support in the delivery of recommendations to senior teams across Heathrow in relation expansion and related capital investment.
• Support financial disclosures and reporting for external stakeholders.

Qualifications

• Professionally qualified accountant and/or CFA, with experience operating at both operational and strategic levels, including corporate finance contexts.
• Strong influencing and communication capability, with the ability to structure and deliver persuasive, evidence‑based arguments to senior stakeholders.
• Proven project management skills, managing multiple workstreams and stakeholders in complex environments.
• Advanced financial modelling expertise, including designing, building, interrogating, and auditing complex Excel‑based operating and infrastructure models.
• Strong analytical capability with excellent attention to detail, sound judgement, and a structured approach to problem‑solving.
• Excellent interpersonal, presentation, and engagement skills, combined with curiosity and adaptability to learn quickly, challenge constructively, and deliver results.

Ideally, you will also have

• Business partnering skills desirable.
• Strategy consulting background in aviation, airport, rail, shipping.
• Strategy background with major airport operator/investor beneficial.
• Interest in airports/aviation advantageous.