Finance Project Partner - Fixed-Term contract

erm; Johannesburg; On-site; ZAR 700,000 - 1,100,000; Full time

Job summary

ERM is seeking a Finance Project Business Partner to strengthen project financial controls across complex initiatives. You will collaborate with PMs, PICs, and the Global Delivery Centre to ensure accurate project setup, master data integrity, and timely billing.

You will review variances, support corrective actions, and drive DSO improvements within SLA requirements, while coaching teams on financial processes and governance.

Qualifications

• Strong background in project finance and financial controls for complex projects.
• Experience aligning PMs and PICs with policy before project starts.
• Ability to review variances and drive corrective actions.

Responsibilities

• Ensure timesheet entries are approved for project
• Approve project setup (e.g. contracts in place, PO received and billing entity identified)
• Approve project billing
• Support collections and DSO targets

Skills

Project finance

DSO management

Billing processes

Process compliance

Stakeholder management

Job description

The FPP is responsible for working with Project Managers and Partners to ensure project financial controls and management are robust for more complex projects and to work closely with our Global Delivery Centre on project master data team to approve project set up and project transactional teams to ensure projects accuracy, timely billing, escalad project variances and support DSO improvements.

Project initiation and setup:

Ensures PM's have applied relevant policy before a project starts (e.g. contract and PO in place) and correct billing entity is identified, and non-standard payment terms, invoice format and customer portal uses are approved.

Review and sign off Project set up by GDC team.

Transactional accuracy:

Reviews project variance reports from GDC and work with PM/PICs to take corrective action for variances (including requesting time recording corrections, project phase/task movements and SOW change orders).

Billing, collections and DSO:

Authorise GDC to bill client in line with SLA and works with collections team to monitor and escape overdue invoices (over 30 days) and ensures WIP and AR DSO in line with corporate targets.

Responsibilities:

• Ensure timesheet entries are approved for project
• Approve project set up (e.g. contracts in place, PO received and billing entity identified)
• Approve project billing
• Support collections and DSO targets

PERSON SPECIFICATION

Qualifications & Experience

• Strong background in project finance, including project initiation, setup, and financial control for complex projects
• Experience working with PMs and PICs to ensure policy compliance before project start (contracts, POs, billing entity, non‑standard terms)
• Demonstrated experience reviewing project variances, analysing reports, and driving corrective action (time recording corrections, SOW changes, phase/task adjustments)
• Experience authorising billing, supporting collections, and managing DSO targets within SLA requirements

Knowledge & Technical Skills

• Strong understanding of project master data, project setup processes, and workflow with GDC teams (master data, transactional accuracy, billing)
• Knowledge of billing processes, WIP/AR management, and corporate DSO expectations
• Ability to interpret variance reports and identify risk areas requiring escalation
• Familiarity with SOW changes, time recording, and project lifecycle financial controls

Leadership & People Management

• Ability to coach, and support workload across a team of Finance Project BPs aligned to a
• Business Unit
• Skilled at supporting escalations and providing clear insight to the Head of Finance Project
• Confident in holding PMs and PICs accountable for compliance with financial processes and controls

Stakeholder & Relationship Management

• Strong ability to work with PMs, PICs, GDC teams, and collections to ensure accurate project setup, billing timeliness, and DSO improvements
• Effective communicator able to influence project owners and escalated key issues where required
• Capable of acting as the approval point for project initiation, setup, and billing

Problem‑Solving & Judgement

• Strong judgement in identifying project risks, variances, and deviations from standard
• Able to drive corrective action promptly, ensuring data integrity and financial compliance
• Confident in making decisions regarding project setup, billing, and escalations

Personal Attributes

• High attention to detail with a disciplined, structured approach to reviewing project financials
• Proactive, solution‑oriented, and comfortable working across multiple stakeholders
• Strong organisational skills with the ability to balance operational tasks and leadership responsibilities
• Calm, reliable, and resilient when dealing with billing delays, overdue invoices, or complex project escalations

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ERM is committed to creating an inclusive workplace where everyone feels valued, respected, and empowered to thrive, it's an essential part of what makes ERM a great place to build a career and helps us create better solutions for our clients.

We welcome talent from all backgrounds and provide equal opportunities for every candidate. If you have a disability, are neurodivergent, or need accommodations during the selection process, we're here to support you. Our commitment doesn't stop at hiring. Once you join us, we'll ensure you have the tools, support, and adjustments needed to succeed and feel a true sense of belonging. Learn more about our Diversity, Inclusion & Belonging (DIB) efforts by visiting our website or exploring our 2025 Sustainability Report. .