Group Chief Financial Officer – Sri Lankan Airlines -Katunayake

Job Description

Sri Lankan Airlines, the National Carrier of Sri Lanka and a member of the one world alliance, connects Sri Lanka to the world with its all-Airbus fleet across 117 destinations in 59 countries (including codeshare operations). With a proud legacy spanning over four decades, we combine world-class service with Sri Lankan warmth and hospitality. We are seeking a visionary Group Chief Financial Officer (GCFO) to join our Leadership Team. In this critical role, you will shape and lead the financial strategy for both Sri Lankan Airlines and its subsidiaries, ensuring financial resilience and long-term sustainability. As a key architect of our transformation journey, you will navigate complex challenges, drive operational efficiency, and enable bold growth ambitions through strategic financial leadership

Key Purpose of the Role:

• We are seeking a seasoned finance leader to join our Senior Management Team. In this pivotal role, you will provide strategic direction and oversee the entire finance function of the Sri Lankan Airlines Group. 
• As a key member of the leadership team, you will be responsible for driving financial planning and operations, managing funding and risk, ensuring robust cost control and procurement practices, and safeguarding the financial 
• Integrity of the organization. You will lead the delivery of accurate and timely financial reporting to support both statutory compliance and strategic decision-making. 
• This is a unique opportunity to shape the financial future of a national icon, acting as a value-added business partner in enabling transformation, growth, and long-term sustainability.

Key Responsibilities:

• Strategic Financial Leadership: Drive the organization's financial strategy by overseeing all financial operations, ensuring alignment with long-term business objectives. Deliver insightful financial intelligence to support 
• high-impact executive decision-making and ensure full compliance with statutory reporting requirements. Spearhead the development and execution of a robust funding strategy while proactively managing financial risks to safeguard and enhance the company's financial sustainability and growth potential.
• Executive Decision Support: Provide timely and strategic financial insights to the CEO, Board, and senior stakeholders. Play a key role in evaluating business risks, growth initiatives, and operational performance.
• Stakeholder Management: Cultivate and manage key relationships with financiers,  suppliers, and government bodies to ensure optimal returns and foster strong partnerships
• Enterprise Risk and Funding: Manage the airline's funding strategy and relationships with financial institutions and investors. Lead financial risk mitigation initiatives and ensure financial compliance.
• Governance and Control: Uphold the highest standards of financial reporting, internal controls, and audit readiness. Ensure compliance with statutory and regulatory requirements. 
• Corporate Compliance and Safety: Uphold the highest standards of corporate governance by ensuring departmental readiness for disaster situations in line with our Business Continuity Management (BCM) framework. You will champion and maintain compliance with the Sri Lankan Airlines Safety Policy (SMSM) and Information Security Policy (CISM) in all job tasks
• Business Transformation: Champion digital finance transformation and process automation to enable real-time analytics, data-driven decision-making, and cost efficiency.

Requirements:

The Ideal Candidate: 

• We are looking for an exceptional leader with a strong track record in corporate finance and strategic leadership in complex environments-ideally within the aviation or multinational, large, complex organization. 
• You will possess exceptional strategic thinking, strong leadership and communication skills, and a proven track record of managing key stakeholder relationships. 
• A commitment to integrity, safety, and continuous improvement is essential.

Minimum Requirements:

• Member of a recognized professional accountancy body, with qualifications equivalent to a degree
• 20 years of work experience with 15 years at post post-qualifying managerial level experience in Finance 
• A Master's degree in a related field will be considered as an added advantage. 
• The upper age limit is 55 years as of 08th August 2025 
• Open to Sri Lankan citizens only