Senior Finance Operations & Compliance Manager

[What the role is]

About SAFCo

The Singapore Sustainable Aviation Fuel Company (SAFCo) is a mission-driven entity supporting Singapore’s national SAF (Sustainable Aviation Fuel) policy. SAFCo manages SAF levy collection, procures SAF to meet regulated demand, and develops the voluntary SAF market. As a lean and agile startup, SAFCo is building foundational capabilities to ensure operational excellence, transparency, and credibility in the SAF ecosystem.

Role overview
The role reports to the Director of Operations. As the Senior Finance Operations and Compliance Manager, you will play a pivotal role in establishing and maintaining robust financial management, governance, compliance and reporting frameworks in alignment with CAAS requirements. This position is critical to safeguarding the integrity, accuracy, and efficiency of SAFCo’s operations as we implement Singapore’s national SAF policy. Your scope will include oversight of SAF levy management, procurement processes, financial accounting, and Environmental Attribute (EA) administration. We are seeking a forward-thinking leader with deep expertise in financial operations, internal controls, and governance who can ensure credibility and resilience in SAFCo’s processes. The ideal candidate will combine strategic vision with hands-on capability to design and implement scalable frameworks, processes, and systems that deliver financial operational excellence and integrity, enabling SAFCo’s future growth.

[What you will be working on]

Operation Governance & Compliance

• Develop, implement, and maintain governance frameworks, policies, and procedures in line with SAFCo’s Board-approved standards and the CAAS’s requirements.

• Ensure compliance with all relevant laws, regulations, and funding agreement obligations, including data protection, cybersecurity, and business continuity requirements.

• Oversee the adoption and periodic review of the SAFCo HR and Finance manuals, ensuring formal approval by Board resolution.

• Establish internal control frameworks to prevent fraud, financial misstatements, and operational risks.

• Monitor financial regulatory changes and proactively update policies to maintain compliance.

• Provide compliance training and awareness programs for staff.

Financial Management & Reporting

• Prepare and submit annual budgets, quarterly budget utilisation reports, and financial statements in accordance with CAAS requirements and prescribed templates.

• Monitor and report on operating expenditures, ensuring all costs are incurred in line with approved budgets, corporate policies, and governance frameworks.

• Maintain accurate and complete accounting records for all SAFCo transactions, including SAF levy collections, SAF/EA procurement, and allocation.

• Ensure timely submission of all required financial and operational reports.

• Develop financial forecasting models to support strategic planning and SAF procurement decisions.

• Implement cost-control measures and identify opportunities for efficiency improvements.

• Oversee treasury and cash flow management to ensure liquidity for SAFCo operations.

Audit & Assurance

• Coordinate and support annual independent audits of SAFCo’s operations and financial records, including audits of appointed levy collection partners.

• Ensure audit scope covers verification of SAF levy amounts collected, compliance with collection procedures, and contractual obligations.

• Submit audit reports to CAAS within stipulated timelines and promptly address any material findings or irregularities, including proposing and monitoring remedial actions.

• Maintain complete and accurate records for at least five years post-qualifying period, in accordance with generally accepted accounting practices.

• Develop and execute internal audit plans to assess operational and financial controls.

• Track and report remediation progress for audit findings to the Board and CAAS.

Operational Oversight

• Establish and maintain robust systems for levy collection, procurement, accounting, and EA management, ensuring operational readiness within agreed timelines.

• Oversee the management and reconciliation of SAF levy collections, SAF/EA procurement, and EA allocations, ensuring transparency, traceability, and compliance with industry standards.

• Monitor and report on the status of outstanding SAF levy amounts, recovery actions, and risks of non-recovery.

• Implement process automation and digital tools to improve operational efficiency.

• Ensure integration of financial systems with SAFCo’s operational platforms for real-time reporting.

Risk Management

• Establish and maintain a compliance function to assess the adequacy and effectiveness of internal controls, risk management, and governance processes.

• Ensure business continuity plans are maintained and tested annually.

• Develop and maintain a risk register, identifying financial, operational, and compliance risks with mitigation strategies.

• Conduct periodic risk assessments and scenario planning to ensure resilience.

[What we are looking for]

• Experience: 8–12 years in finance operations, financial control, governance, audit, and compliance roles, with a proven track record in developing and implementing governance frameworks, compliance programs, and risk management systems.

• Expertise: Strong knowledge of financial control and management, accounting principles, and regulatory compliance. Professional accounting qualification preferred. In-depth understanding of Singapore financial regulations, public sector funding, audit practices, including ESG reporting requirements and development.

• Skills: Strong project management, stakeholder engagement, workflow design and development capability, operational discipline, documentation capabilities and analytical skills.

• Mindset: Detail-oriented, proactive, and comfortable working in a fast-paced startup environment.

• Collaboration: Able to work cross-functionally with procurement and operation with SAFCO, with legal, finance and internal audits within CAAS and with wider aviation ecosystem partners.