Finance Operations Manager

We are seeking a highly analytical, business-oriented Finance Operations Manager to lead financial planning, forecasting, analysis, and operational decision support across the organization — while also managing and developing the team that produces this work. This role turns financial and operational information into forward-looking insight that helps leadership improve revenue, profitability, cash flow, contract performance, and business execution. This is not primarily a transactional accounting role: the successful candidate goes beyond reporting numbers to determine what's driving performance, what's likely to happen next, and what action to take — and builds the automated, scalable infrastructure to do that reliably as the team and business grow. This role requires an onsite presence in Rockville, MD or Tysons, VA.

The Finance Operations Manager owns budgeting and forecasting, revenue forecasting, project and contract profitability, workforce economics, backlog and funding analysis, cash-flow forecasting, and management reporting, while managing and developing the analysts and staff who support this work. The role requires equal comfort setting analytical direction and working hands-on in the models and data — and a willingness to build new tools, reporting, and processes where none exist today.

We are seeking a highly analytical, business-oriented Finance Operations Manager to lead financial planning, forecasting, analysis, and operational decision support across the organization — while also managing and developing the team that produces this work. This role turns financial and operational information into forward-looking insight that helps leadership improve revenue, profitability, cash flow, contract performance, and business execution. This is not primarily a transactional accounting role: the successful candidate goes beyond reporting numbers to determine what's driving performance, what's likely to happen next, and what action to take — and builds the automated, scalable infrastructure to do that reliably as the team and business grow. This role requires an onsite presence in Tysons, VA.

The Finance Operations Manager owns budgeting and forecasting, revenue forecasting, project and contract profitability, workforce economics, backlog and funding analysis, cash-flow forecasting, and management reporting, while managing and developing the analysts and staff who support this work. The role requires equal comfort setting analytical direction and working hands-on in the models and data — and a willingness to build new tools, reporting, and processes where none exist today. Key Responsibilities

Financial Planning, Budgeting & Revenue Forecasting

Lead annual budgeting and recurring forecasting across company, business-unit, customer, contract, and project levels

Develop detailed revenue forecasts using contract funding, deployed staff, bill rates, and utilization

Analyze actual performance against budget and forecast, determining root causes of variances and recommending corrective actions

Contract, Margin & Workforce Analysis

Monitor financial performance by customer, contract, and project, including margin, funding, and burn rates, identifying risk early

Analyze bill rates, pay rates, fringe, and overhead to evaluate staffing and compensation decisions

Maintain visibility into backlog and contract funding, flagging exhaustion dates before they become operational issues

Cash Flow, Reporting & Decision Support

Develop short- and medium-term cash-flow forecasts and monitor AR/DSO trends to flag liquidity risk early

Develop recurring reporting on revenue, margin, backlog, and cash flow that clearly communicates what changed, why, and what's recommended

Serve as financial partner to leadership and Operations, modeling new opportunities, pricing, and staffing scenarios

Systems, Automation & Team Leadership

Automate recurring reports and models, building dashboards and consistent KPI definitions to reduce manual spreadsheet work

Lead and develop a high-performing finance team, including staffing, workload balancing, and performance reviews — this role manages both the work and the people doing it

Set KPIs, deliver regular coaching, and support retention and succession planning

Bachelor's degree in Finance, Accounting, Economics, Business, or a related field

5+ years of progressive experience in FP&A, corporate finance, financial operations, or business finance

At least 3 years in a direct management or supervisory role

Demonstrated experience with budgeting, forecasting, financial modeling, and variance analysis

Advanced Excel and financial modeling skills, with the ability to translate complex data into clear business recommendations

Proven track record of implementing automation to streamline financial processes

Experience in government contracting, including contract economics, funding, backlog, and burn rates

Experience with workforce and labor economics in a professional-services environment

MBA, CFA, CPA, or CMA

Leadership can reliably forecast revenue and understands profitability at the customer and contract level

Margin deterioration and contract funding risks are identified early, not after the fact

The team spends less time assembling data and more time acting on financial insight

Ready to help shape the future of financial operations? Apply now to join a collaborative, mission-driven team that values growth, accountability, and innovation.

The diversity of Axle’s employees is a tremendous asset. We are firmly committed to providing equal opportunity in all aspects of employment and will not tolerate any illegal discrimination or harassment-based age, race, gender, religion, national origin, disability, marital status, covered veteran status, sexual orientation, status with respect to public assistance, and other characteristics protected under state, federal, or local law and to deter those who aid, abet, or induce discrimination or coerce others to discriminate.

Accessibility: If you need an accommodation as part of the employment process, please contact [email protected]

Disclaimer: The above is meant to illustrate the general nature of work and level of effort being performed by individual’s assigned to this position or job. This is not restricted as a complete list of all skills, responsibilities, duties, and/or assignments required. Individuals may be required to perform duties outside of their position, job or responsibilities as needed.

This role has a market-competitive salary with an anticipated base compensation range listed below. Actual salaries will vary depending on a candidate’s experience, qualifications, skills, and location.

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