Director, Financial Planning

The Coca-Cola Company; Johannesburg; On-site; ZAR 1,200,000 - 1,500,000; Full time

Job summary

A global beverage leader seeks a Financial Planning Director in Johannesburg to oversee financial planning processes for the Africa Operating Unit. The ideal candidate will have over 10 years of experience in commercial finance, demonstrate strong leadership skills, and possess proficiency in financial planning tools like Hyperion. This role offers the opportunity to shape financial strategies and engage with key stakeholders across the organization.

Qualifications

• Minimum of 10 years’ experience in financial planning, commercial finance, or a related strategic finance role.
• Demonstrated leadership in high-stakes environments with proven ability to build strong cross-functional relationships and influence without authority.
• Proficiency in Hyperion and other financial planning tools, with a hands-on approach to scenario modeling and variance analysis.
• Strong storytelling and communication skills, capable of turning complex data into compelling business narratives.
• Proven ability to manage ambiguity and pressure, deliver under tight timelines, and juggle multiple priorities with calm focus.
• Deep understanding of system economics, bottler business models, and regional market dynamics in a fast-paced FMCG environment.
• A people-first leader who promotes a strong, inclusive culture, uplifts capabilities, and drives engagement across diverse teams.

Responsibilities

• Lead the planning, forecasting, and performance management processes for the Africa Operating Unit.
• Utilize and manage financial planning systems, particularly Hyperion, for accurate forecasts and scenario planning.
• Act as a thought partner to deliver insight-driven plans and rolling estimates influencing key business decisions.
• Collaborate on data-driven business assumptions into the planning cycle and support executive presentations.
• Translate financial results and forecasts into clear, actionable insights and stories.
• Facilitate business plan and rolling estimate review cycles focusing on proactive risk and opportunity management.
• Engage and influence senior stakeholders ensuring cross-functional alignment and strategic coherence.
• Build collaborative relationships across regions and functions fostering a culture of trust.
• Maintain performance delivery under pressure while promoting a positive, high-performance culture.
• Support the creation of the 3-year Strategic Business Plan and annual budgeting cycles.

Skills

Data Driven

Financial Analysis

Financial Forecasting

Financial Planning

Forecasting

Tools

Hyperion

Job description

Overview

Location(s): South Africa

City/Cities: Johannesburg

Travel Required: 0% - 25%

Relocation Provided: No

Job Posting End Date: September 29, 2025

Shift:

Job Description Summary:

We are looking for a dynamic and strategic Financial Planning Director who can lead with insight, navigate complexity, and deliver performance excellence. This role is instrumental in shaping and executing our financial planning processes across the Africa Operating Unit (OU), ensuring not just financial accuracy but also strategic impact and storytelling that drives action.

What You’ll Do for Us

• Lead the planning, forecasting, and performance management processes for the Africa Operating Unit, ensuring alignment with strategic goals and timely delivery of financial outputs.
• Utilize and manage financial planning systems, particularly Hyperion, to develop and maintain accurate forecasts, scenario planning, and P&L reviews.
• Act as a thought partner to Platform Services, Regional Leads, Franchise Leadership, and Commercial/RGM teams to deliver insight-driven plans and rolling estimates that influence key business decisions.
• Collaborate with the Insights Director to embed data-driven business assumptions into the planning cycle and support the preparation of compelling narratives and executive presentations.
• Translate financial results and forecasts into clear, actionable insights and stories, providing commentary that supports business performance management and risk mitigation.
• Facilitate business plan and rolling estimate review cycles, with a strong emphasis on scenario planning and proactive risk and opportunity (R&O) management.
• Engage and influence senior stakeholders across the system, ensuring cross-functional alignment and strategic coherence.
• Build and nurture collaborative relationships across regions, bottlers, and central functions, fostering a culture of trust, partnership, and joint problem-solving.
• Maintain composure and performance delivery under pressure while promoting a positive, high-performance culture within the team and broader finance community.
• Support the creation and communication of the 3-year Strategic Business Plan and annual budgeting cycles, coordinating end-to-end processes and performance monitoring.

Qualifications & Requirements

• Minimum of 10 years’ experience in financial planning, commercial finance, or a related strategic finance role.
• Demonstrated leadership in high-stakes environments with proven ability to build strong cross-functional relationships and influence without authority.
• Proficiency in Hyperion and other financial planning tools, with a hands-on approach to scenario modeling and variance analysis.
• Strong storytelling and communication skills, capable of turning complex data into compelling business narratives.
• Proven ability to manage ambiguity and pressure, deliver under tight timelines, and juggle multiple priorities with calm focus.
• Deep understanding of system economics, bottler business models, and regional market dynamics in a fast-paced FMCG environment.
• A people-first leader who promotes a strong, inclusive culture, uplifts capabilities, and drives engagement across diverse teams.

What We Offer

Join a purpose-driven Africa Finance team where teams are the new heroes and our leaders are inclusive orchestrators. As we craft Loved Brands, Sustainably, for a Better Shared Future, you will:

• Leverage our boundaryless network
• Live our culture code with intention
• Build future-ready capabilities
• Become part of an adaptable, agile organization

Skills

Data Driven, Finance, Financial Analysis, Financial Forecasting, Financial Planning, Forecasting

Our Purpose and Growth Culture

We are taking deliberate action to nurture an inclusive culture that is grounded in our company purpose, to refresh the world and make a difference. We act with a growth mindset, take an expansive approach to what’s possible and believe in continuous learning to improve our business and ourselves. We focus on four key behaviors – curious, empowered, inclusive and agile – and value how we work as much as what we achieve. We believe that our culture is one of the reasons our company continues to thrive after 130+ years. Visit Our Purpose and Vision to learn more about these behaviors and how you can bring them to life in your next role at Coca-Cola.