Director of Strategic Initiatives

Placements24; Stellenbosch; On-site; ZAR 1,800,000 - 3,000,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Salary plus bonus

Medical aid

Retirement annuity

international travel

Professional development

Job summary

Placements24 in Stellenbosch, Western Cape, seeks a Director of Strategic Initiatives to lead high-impact cross-functional programs that fuel growth and improve efficiency.

The role requires an MBA or Master’s degree plus 8+ years in strategic planning or corporate development, with strong financial modeling and stakeholder influence at executive level. Relocation to Stellenbosch may be required.

Qualifications

• MBA or Master’s degree in Finance, Business Administration, or a related field.
• Minimum of 8 years in strategic planning, corporate development, or management consulting.
• Demonstrated success in leading and delivering complex, high-impact strategic projects.
• Strong financial modeling, analytical, and quantitative skills.
• Excellent leadership, communication, and interpersonal skills.

Responsibilities

• Spearhead the development and execution of new strategic initiatives aligned with company goals.
• Conduct market research, competitive analysis, and feasibility studies to identify growth opportunities.
• Lead cross-functional project teams, ensuring clear objectives, timelines, and deliverables.
• Develop comprehensive business cases and financial models for proposed initiatives.
• Manage project budgets, resources, and risks effectively throughout the project lifecycle.
• Collaborate with departmental heads to ensure seamless integration of new strategies and processes.
• Monitor project progress and provide regular updates and recommendations to senior management.
• Drive change management efforts to ensure successful adoption of new initiatives.
• Identify and foster strategic partnerships that align with the company's growth objectives.

Skills

Leadership

Stakeholder management

Project management

Financial modeling

Analytical skills

Strategic thinking

Communication

Education

MBA or Master’s in Finance/Business Administration

Tools

Strategy software

Job description

About the Role

Our client, a prominent player in the wine and spirits industry, is seeking a dynamic and results-oriented Director of Strategic Initiatives to join their team in Stellenbosch, Western Cape. This senior management position will be responsible for identifying, evaluating, and leading critical strategic projects that drive growth, enhance operational efficiency, and support the company's long-term vision. The ideal candidate possesses a sharp business acumen, exceptional analytical skills, and a proven ability to manage complex, cross-functional initiatives from conception to completion. You will work closely with executive leadership to shape strategic direction and ensure successful implementation of key programs that will significantly impact the business's future success within the thriving Stellenbosch region.

Key Responsibilities

• Spearhead the development and execution of new strategic initiatives aligned with company goals.
• Conduct market research, competitive analysis, and feasibility studies to identify growth opportunities.
• Lead cross-functional project teams, ensuring clear objectives, timelines, and deliverables.
• Develop comprehensive business cases and financial models for proposed initiatives.
• Manage project budgets, resources, and risks effectively throughout the project lifecycle.
• Collaborate with departmental heads to ensure seamless integration of new strategies and processes.
• Monitor project progress and provide regular updates and recommendations to senior management.
• Drive change management efforts to ensure successful adoption of new initiatives.
• Identify and foster strategic partnerships that align with the company's growth objectives.

Requirements

• MBA or Master's degree in Finance, Business Administration, or a related field.
• Minimum of 8 years of experience in strategic planning, corporate development, or management consulting.
• Demonstrated success in leading and delivering complex, high-impact strategic projects.
• Strong financial modeling, analytical, and quantitative skills.
• Excellent project management capabilities, with a track record of managing multiple projects simultaneously.
• Exceptional leadership, communication, and interpersonal skills.
• Proven ability to influence and collaborate with senior stakeholders across an organization.
• Experience in the wine and spirits industry is a significant advantage.
• Proficiency in relevant business strategy and project management software.
• Must be based in or willing to relocate to Stellenbosch, Western Cape.

Benefits

• Our client offers a highly competitive salary and a performance-driven bonus structure.
• Employees receive comprehensive medical aid, a retirement annuity contribution, and opportunities for international travel and professional development.