Central Functions Controller

Job Description:

An opportunity for a Central Functions Controller has arisen within Airbus Defence and Space in Getafe (Madrid).

The selected candidate will join the Central Functions F&C team, acting as the strategic Finance Business Partner for central functions across Airbus Defence and Space. Our international team steers financial performance and planning for central functions supporting more than 2,500 professionals across our four European home countries. Based in Getafe, you will be responsible of the financial steering for the Spanish perimeter, partnering directly with executive stakeholders and department heads to drive cost efficiency, optimize resource allocation, and support data-driven business decisions in a high-impact, multicultural aerospace environment.

RESPONSIBILITIES

The jobholder will be responsible for:

• Manage Planning & Budgeting Cycles: Drive the annual budgeting and forecasting for costs, headcount, workload and statistical key figures across Spanish central functions in close alignment with the divisional Financial Business Partner of each function
• Act as a local Business Partner: Collaborate with and challenge local management and department heads to optimize financial performance and align functional strategies with company targets.
• Analyze & Steer Performance: Deliver monthly performance tracking, identify variances against budget/forecasts, conduct root-cause analysis, and recommend actionable corrective measures to improve cost competitiveness and operational efficiency.
• Drive Decision Support & Financial Modeling: Build robust financial models and business cases to evaluate organizational changes and operational initiatives, ensuring clear visibility into financial risks and opportunities.
• Streamline Financial Governance & Processes: Coordinate closing activities alongside General Accounting, Cost Accounting, and the wider European Controlling network, ensuring compliance, financial integrity, and data consistency.
• Champion Continuous Improvement: Support the enhancement and automation of controlling dashboards and reporting tools to increase transparency and accelerate management reporting.

Candidates must meet all legal and professional requirements for the role.

SKILLS

Is your profile aligned to the following list of skills? Apply! We are looking forward to getting to know you:

• Education: Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Business Administration, Finance, Economics, Industrial Management, or a related field.
• Experience: 3 to 5+ years of proven experience in Financial Controlling, Financial Planning & Analysis (FP&A), or Business Partnering—ideally within an international, matrixed, or industrial organization.
• Technical Knowledge:
  • Solid working experience with SAP (CO/FI/PS modules).
  • Advanced proficiency in Microsoft Excel (financial modeling, large dataset handling) 
  • Knowledge in Google Apps (Sheets/Docs/Slides)
  • Strong foundation in management accounting, cost allocation, and variance analysis.
• Soft Skills:
  • High business acumen with the assertiveness and diplomatic skills needed to challenge senior stakeholders constructively.
  • Strong emotional intelligence, conflict management, and relationship-building capabilities in cross-functional, multicultural environments.
  • Analytical rigor with the ability to translate complex numerical data into clear, actionable business insights.
• Languages: Professional working / negotiation proficiency in both Spanish and English (daily working languages).
• Valuable / Nice to Have:
  • Familiarity with business intelligence and reporting tools such as SAP Analysis for Office, Business Objects, Power BI, or modern FP&A consolidation tools.
  • Prior experience working as a corporate function controller (IT, HR, Engineering, or Corporate Services).

WHICH BENEFITS WILL YOU HAVE AS AIRBUS EMPLOYEE?

At Airbus we are focused on our employees and their welfare. Take a look at some of our social benefits:

• Vacation days plus additional days-off along the year.
• Attractive salary.
• Hybrid model of working when possible.
• Collective transport service subject to working calendar/home location.
• Benefits such as life insurance, health insurance, employee stock options, retirement plan, or study grants.
• On-site facilities (among others): free canteen, kindergarten, medical office.
• Possibility to collaborate in different social and corporate social responsibility initiatives.
• Excellent upskilling opportunities and great development prospects in a multicultural environment.
• Option to access special rates in products & benefits.

This job requires an awareness of any potential compliance risks and a commitment to act with integrity, as the foundation for the Company’s success, reputation and sustainable growth.

Company:

Airbus Defence and Space SAU

Employment Type:

Permanent

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Experience Level:

Professional

Job Family:

Controlling <JF-FI-FO>

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Airbus is committed to achieving workforce diversity and creating an inclusive working environment. We welcome all applications irrespective of social and cultural background, age, gender, disability, sexual orientation or religious belief.

Airbus is, and always has been, committed to equal opportunities for all. As such, we will never ask for any type of monetary exchange in the frame of a recruitment process. Any impersonation of Airbus to do so should be reported to emsom@airbus.com.

At Airbus, we support you to work, connect and collaborate more easily and flexibly. Wherever possible, we foster flexible working arrangements to stimulate innovative thinking.