Finance Director

Make it Good; Johannesburg; On-site; ZAR 400 000 - 500 000; Full time

Job summary

A creative agency in Johannesburg is seeking a Financial Director to lead the finance function and support strategic growth. The ideal candidate will possess senior financial leadership experience and a background in creative agencies. Key responsibilities include overseeing financial operations, budgeting, and partnering with executive leadership. Strong leadership skills and a professional finance qualification are essential. Embrace the chance to thrive in a dynamic sports and entertainment environment where creativity and innovation are valued.

Benefits

Unlimited leave policy

Performance bonus structure

Medical aid included

Creative and innovative work culture

Qualifications

• Proven experience in a senior financial leadership role.
• Must have creative agency experience.
• Strong commercial and strategic financial acumen.
• Experience owning budgets, forecasts and financial performance.
• Excellent attention to detail with strong organizational skills.
• Confidence working closely with executive leadership.
• Strong leadership and communication skills.

Responsibilities

• Lead the agency’s financial strategy for growth and profitability.
• Act as a senior financial partner to the CEO and COO.
• Own budgeting, forecasting and long-term financial planning.
• Oversee day-to-day financial operations and cash flow.
• Deliver accurate financial reporting to senior leadership.
• Ensure governance, compliance, audit readiness and risk management.
• Drive gross margin improvement and overall profitability.
• Support commercial negotiations.
• Conduct post-project financial reviews.
• Lead and mentor the finance team.
• Contribute to leadership discussions and strategic decision-making.

Skills

Senior financial leadership experience

Creative agency experience

Commercial and strategic financial acumen

Budget and forecast management

Attention to detail

Leadership and communication skills

Proficiency in Sage and financial reporting tools

Education

Professional finance qualification (CA(SA), CIMA or equivalent)

Job description

Location: Johannesburg (The Parks)
Work model: Full-time, in-office
Salary: R80k-R120k CTC

Why you’d want to work here

• A senior leadership role with real influence on the business

• Work in a highly creative, fast-moving sports and entertainment environment

• Unlimited leave policy, built on trust and accountability

• Performance bonus structure

• Medical aid included

• A culture that values innovation, ownership and making things better

• Work alongside passionate, high-performing teams on world-class campaigns

About our client

Our client is an award-winning, mid-sized sports content and creative agency operating at the intersection of creativity, innovation and technology. They create high-impact campaigns across sport and entertainment and are known for moving fast, thinking smart and delivering exceptional work.

They’re now looking for a Financial Director to take full ownership of the finance function and play a critical role in shaping the agency’s future growth and sustainability.

What the job involves

• Leading the agency’s overall financial strategy to support growth and profitability

• Acting as a senior financial partner to the CEO and COO

• Owning budgeting, forecasting and long-term financial planning across all departments

• Overseeing day-to-day financial operations, including cash flow, cost control and revenue recognition

• Delivering accurate, insightful financial reporting to senior leadership

• Ensuring strong governance, compliance, audit readiness and risk management

• Driving gross margin improvement and overall profitability

• Supporting commercial negotiations with clients, suppliers and partners

• Conducting post-project financial reviews to improve efficiency and margins

• Leading and mentoring the finance team, building a culture of accuracy and accountability

• Contributing meaningfully to leadership discussions and strategic decision-making

What you need to be considered

• Proven experience in a senior financial leadership role

• Must have creative agency experience

• Strong commercial and strategic financial acumen

• Experience owning budgets, forecasts and financial performance at an organisational level

• Excellent attention to detail with strong organisational skills

• Confidence working closely with executive leadership

• Proficiency in Sage and financial reporting tools

• Strong leadership and communication skills

• A professional finance qualification (CA(SA), CIMA or equivalent preferred)

• Should be into sports, as this is a requirement for culture fit

• Thrive in fast-paced, deadline-driven businesses