Finance Director

Liquid Thought; Cape Town; On-site; ZAR 1,200,000 - 1,800,000; Full time

Job summary

Liquid Thought seeks a Finance Director to join its senior leadership and oversee financial health, risk, and reporting across multiple large projects. The role manages finance, payroll, grants, and compliance teams, driving policy, controls, and stakeholder engagement.

A hands-on leader will ensure accurate reporting and strong governance across SA operations. The ideal candidate will have CA(SA) or an Honours degree in business management/administration, 5+ years in a similar role, and

Qualifications

• Experience leading finance teams and strategic financial planning.
• Knowledge of governance, risk and compliance practices.
• Experience with larger multi-project donor funding environments.

Responsibilities

• Lead finance, payroll and compliance functions for the organisation.
• Oversee financial management, accounting, and reporting across projects.
• Manage audits, SARS submissions and statutory compliance.
• Engage stakeholders and board/senior committees on financial matters.
• Oversee grants, sub-recipients and donor reporting.
• Oversee payroll operations and internal controls.

Skills

Leadership

Financial management

Risk management

Compliance

Education

CA(SA) or Honours in Business Management/Administration

Job description

Our client, a leading non-profit organisation providing vital health services across South Africa is currently seeking a skilled Finance Director to join their senior leadership team. This is a pivotal role that requires a strategic thinker and hands-on leader who can oversee the financial health of the organisation, manage risk, drive compliance, and ensure accurate reporting across multiple large-scale projects.

Purpose of the Position:

The Finance Director will be the primary point of contact to oversee all financial aspects of the organisation. Responsible for the overall Financial Management for all projects across the organisation including: project bookkeeping, reporting, budgeting, stakeholder engagement, administration, sub-recipients/sub-partners, payroll and staff management. Oversees the finance team, payroll team and the grants and compliance/legal team.

• Chartered Accountant CA(SA) or Honours degree in business management/administration with a mix of relevant experience and;
• strong knowledge and experience of relevant legal frameworks.
• Minimum 5 years experience in a similar position or management position.
• Experience and knowledge of the public sector, specifically large international donors (CDC, USAID, Pepfar, Global Fund) (preferred).
• Clear criminal record.

Duties and Responsibilities:

Lead and manage finance, payroll, and compliance/legal functions

• Act as a primary point of contact for all finance related tasks for the organisation.
• Develop policies aligned with the organisations goals and sound financial management practices.
• Provide support to the board as an invited member to board and/or sub-committee meetings.
• Work closely and collaboratively with all interfacing departments and provide relevant guidance and monitoring where applicable.
• Contribute toward systems implementation, maintenance and improvements within support functions.

Oversee Financial Management and Accounting

• Cashbook processing and journals.
• Bank processing, reconciliations and reviews.
• Reconciliation of creditors and debtors.

Oversee Auditing and Reviews

• Submission of SARS returns (VAT, PAYE, UIF).
• Preparation and execution of statutory organisational audits.
• Funder specific audits.

Stakeholder Management and engagement

• Build and maintain positive relationships internally and externally.

Grants and Compliance

• Oversee the accurate and timeous management of partners contacts, budgets, compliance and administration.
• Create a strong internal control environment that mitigates financial risks for the organisation.

Oversee and Manage the Full Payroll Department and Function

• Support the system development and system management to enable payroll to perform their duties.
• Monthly review and sign off on payroll.

POPIA Privacy Champion

• Serve as the POPIA privacy champion for all relevant departments that are overseen.