Home Jobs Manager Customer, Project and Structured Finance Airbus Helicopters
Back to Jobs

Manager Customer, Project and Structured Finance Airbus Helicopters - Job Opportunity at Airbus Helicopters SAS

Marseille, France
Full-time
Senior
Posted: June 27, 2025
Hybrid
EUR 85,000 - 110,000 annually based on the senior-level responsibilities, specialized expertise requirements, French market standards for aerospace finance roles, and the premium typically associated with Airbus positions in the Marseille region

Benefits

Competitive compensation package with performance-based success sharing and profit distribution schemes that align employee rewards with company performance
Enhanced work-life integration through additional personal leave days, flexible holiday arrangements, and comprehensive staff council programs offering cultural, social and recreational activities
Premium healthcare coverage including comprehensive disability, invalidity and death benefits that exceed standard market offerings
Extensive professional development ecosystem with unlimited access to over 10,000 e-learning courses, expert career pathways, and accelerated leadership development programs
Employee equity participation through company stock purchase plans and employer-matched savings programs
On-site wellness facilities including health services, concierge support, fitness centers and sustainable commuting solutions
Flexible working arrangements designed to foster innovation and accommodate diverse working styles
National and international mobility opportunities for global career development

Key Responsibilities

Lead strategic payment risk management for high-value commercial and military helicopter contracts, providing critical financial intelligence that influences multi-million dollar sales negotiations and contract outcomes
Drive revenue growth by educating and guiding global sales teams on sophisticated payment security mechanisms, enabling them to structure deals that minimize financial exposure while maximizing competitive advantage
Architect and negotiate complex financial instruments including documentary credits and trade finance solutions directly with international banking partners, ensuring optimal terms for both risk mitigation and cost efficiency
Serve as the global center of excellence for payment security, delivering specialized expertise to Airbus Helicopters' worldwide subsidiary network and establishing standardized best practices across regions
Develop innovative customer financing pathways that remove purchase barriers and accelerate sales cycles, working with diverse financial market participants including lessors, export credit agencies, and private insurers
Execute comprehensive market analysis to identify and evaluate emerging financing opportunities, positioning Airbus Helicopters competitively in the global aerospace financing landscape
Design optimal risk management strategies by balancing insurance coverage needs against cost considerations, ensuring contracts are protected while maintaining profitability margins
Streamline export credit processes through strategic relationship management with government agencies, reducing approval timelines and enhancing deal velocity
Guarantee seamless contract execution by ensuring financing availability aligns with delivery schedules, preventing costly delays and maintaining customer satisfaction
Create proprietary manufacturer-backed financing solutions when market options are insufficient, developing alternative funding mechanisms that support strategic sales objectives
Empower subsidiary operations by securing competitive financing arrangements that enhance their local market competitiveness and deal-closing capabilities
Drive executive decision-making through comprehensive financial analysis and reporting, presenting complex financing scenarios to senior leadership and approval committees
Serve as the primary interface between Airbus Helicopters and the global financial community, building strategic partnerships that enhance the company's financing capabilities and market position
Manage post-transaction activities including insurance claim administration and settlement negotiations, ensuring optimal recovery outcomes and maintaining stakeholder relationships

Requirements

Education

Master's degree (or equivalent) in Business, Law, or a related field

Experience

A minimum of 4 years of experience in export, trade, and ECA financing and a minimum of 4 years of experience working within the banking community

Required Skills

The ability to expertly negotiate contracts and conduct thorough credit analyses Good drafting and documentation abilities Experience in international environments The capacity to build and maintain strong stakeholder relationships A customer-focused team player who can effectively meet tight deadlines Negotiation-level fluency in both English and French

Certifications

Security clearance or eligibility for clearance by recognized authorities
Advertisement
Ad Space

Sauge AI Market Intelligence

Industry Trends

The aerospace financing sector is experiencing unprecedented consolidation and specialization, with manufacturers increasingly taking direct roles in customer financing to maintain competitive advantages in a market where traditional bank lending has become more restrictive post-Basel III regulations. This shift requires sophisticated in-house financing capabilities that can navigate complex international trade finance regulations while providing flexible customer solutions. Export credit agencies are playing an expanded role in aerospace transactions as governments recognize the strategic importance of domestic aerospace industries, creating new opportunities for structured financing arrangements that blend public and private capital sources. This trend particularly benefits companies like Airbus that can leverage multiple ECA relationships across different jurisdictions. The helicopter market specifically is seeing increased demand for flexible financing solutions due to the diverse customer base ranging from oil and gas operators to emergency medical services, each with unique cash flow patterns and financing requirements. This diversity is driving innovation in manufacturer-backed financing products and creating opportunities for specialists who can structure complex multi-party arrangements.

Role Significance

Typically manages a small specialized team of 2-4 analysts and coordinators while collaborating extensively with cross-functional teams including sales, legal, risk management, and treasury operations across multiple geographic regions
This is a senior individual contributor role with significant autonomous decision-making authority, evidenced by direct bank negotiation responsibilities, approval committee participation, and global subsidiary support functions. The role operates at a strategic level with substantial impact on company financial performance and customer acquisition.

Key Projects

Multi-hundred million dollar helicopter fleet financing arrangements for government and commercial customers Development of innovative manufacturer-backed financing products for emerging markets Integration of newly acquired subsidiaries into global financing frameworks Implementation of digital trade finance platforms to streamline documentation and approval processes

Success Factors

Deep understanding of international trade finance regulations and export credit agency requirements across multiple jurisdictions, as the complexity of cross-border helicopter sales requires expertise in navigating different regulatory frameworks while optimizing financing structures for all parties involved. Strong relationship-building capabilities with banking partners, government agencies, and internal stakeholders, since success in this role depends heavily on maintaining a network of reliable financial partners who can provide competitive terms and rapid decision-making when time-sensitive opportunities arise. Analytical excellence in credit risk assessment and financial modeling, enabling accurate evaluation of customer creditworthiness, optimal insurance coverage determination, and development of financing structures that balance risk mitigation with competitive pricing to support sales objectives. Cultural intelligence and communication skills for operating effectively in international environments, as helicopter sales often involve complex negotiations with customers from diverse cultural backgrounds and require coordination with teams across different time zones and business practices.

Market Demand

High demand driven by the specialized nature of aerospace trade finance expertise, the critical importance of this function to Airbus's commercial success, and the limited pool of professionals with the required combination of banking, export finance, and aviation industry experience

Important Skills

Critical Skills

Export credit agency financing expertise is absolutely essential as ECA-backed transactions represent a significant portion of international helicopter sales, and the ability to navigate different ECA requirements and optimize terms directly impacts deal profitability and competitive positioning in government and commercial tenders. Advanced contract negotiation capabilities are crucial for success since this role involves direct negotiations with sophisticated banking partners and large corporate customers where suboptimal terms can result in millions of dollars in lost value or increased risk exposure. International banking relationship management skills are fundamental as the global nature of helicopter sales requires maintaining productive partnerships with financial institutions across multiple countries, each with different risk appetites, regulatory requirements, and cultural business practices.

Beneficial Skills

Digital finance platform expertise would enhance efficiency in an increasingly technology-driven trade finance environment where blockchain, artificial intelligence, and automated documentation systems are becoming standard tools for managing complex international transactions. Sustainable finance and ESG (Environmental, Social, Governance) knowledge would provide competitive advantages as customers and investors increasingly prioritize environmental considerations in purchasing and financing decisions, particularly relevant given Airbus's leadership in developing electric and hybrid helicopter technologies. Emerging market expertise would support expansion opportunities in high-growth regions where helicopter adoption is accelerating due to infrastructure development, natural resource exploration, and expanding emergency services requirements.

Unique Aspects

This role uniquely combines manufacturer financing expertise with direct customer interaction, providing rare exposure to both the strategic financial decision-making within a major aerospace company and the practical challenges of structuring complex international transactions
The position offers exceptional visibility into global helicopter market dynamics through direct involvement in major fleet acquisitions and financing arrangements, providing insights that are valuable for broader aerospace industry career development
Access to Airbus's extensive network of banking relationships, export credit agencies, and international customers creates unparalleled networking opportunities within the aerospace finance community
The security clearance requirement opens doors to involvement in sensitive government and military helicopter programs, adding a specialized credential that significantly enhances long-term career prospects in aerospace and defense sectors

Career Growth

Career progression typically occurs within 3-5 years for high performers, with opportunities for geographic mobility and expanded regional responsibilities potentially accelerating advancement timelines

Potential Next Roles

Treasury Director or Head of Customer Finance roles within Airbus or other major aerospace manufacturers, leveraging the comprehensive understanding of manufacturer financing gained in this position Senior positions at export credit agencies or international development finance institutions, where the combination of public and private sector financing experience would be highly valued Partner or Director roles at specialized aerospace finance advisory firms or investment banks, utilizing the deep industry expertise and extensive network developed through this role

Company Overview

Airbus Helicopters SAS

Airbus Helicopters SAS represents the civilian and military helicopter division of Airbus SE, the world's largest aerospace corporation by revenue and second-largest by aircraft deliveries. As a leader in the global helicopter market with approximately 37% market share, the company designs, manufactures, and supports over 12,000 helicopters operated by more than 3,000 customers in 150 countries, ranging from light single-engine to heavy twin-engine aircraft for diverse applications including emergency medical services, search and rescue, law enforcement, oil and gas operations, and military missions.

Airbus Helicopters holds a dominant position in the global rotorcraft industry, competing primarily with Leonardo Helicopters, Bell, and Sikorsky, while maintaining technological leadership in areas such as fly-by-wire flight controls, advanced avionics, and sustainable aviation technologies including electric and hybrid propulsion systems for urban air mobility applications.
The Marignane location serves as the global headquarters for Airbus Helicopters and houses the primary manufacturing facilities for the company's commercial helicopter lineup, making this role central to worldwide operations and providing exposure to the full spectrum of company activities from research and development to final assembly and delivery.
Airbus maintains a collaborative, innovation-focused culture that emphasizes cross-functional teamwork, continuous learning, and sustainable business practices, with strong emphasis on diversity and inclusion initiatives, flexible working arrangements, and employee development programs that support both technical expertise advancement and leadership capability building.
Advertisement
Ad Space
Apply Now

Data Sources & Analysis Information

Job Listings Data

The job listings displayed on this platform are sourced through BrightData's comprehensive API, ensuring up-to-date and accurate job market information.

Sauge AI Market Intelligence

Our advanced AI system analyzes each job listing to provide valuable insights including:

  • Industry trends and market dynamics
  • Salary estimates and market demand analysis
  • Role significance and career growth potential
  • Critical success factors and key skills
  • Unique aspects of each position

This integration of reliable job data with AI-powered analysis helps provide you with comprehensive insights for making informed career decisions.