Financial Director

3L Consulting (Pty) Ltd; Gauteng; On-site; ZAR 2,400,000 - 4,200,000; Full time

Job summary

3L Consulting (Pty) Ltd is recruiting an experienced Financial Director for a leading automotive retail group in Gauteng. The role reports to the COO and partners with the Executive Committee to shape financial strategy and governance across the business.

You will lead budgeting, forecasting, reporting and performance management while driving profitability, risk management and value creation through the finance function.

Qualifications

• They must hold a CA(SA) or equivalent professional accounting qualification.
• Minimum 10 years of progressive finance experience.
• At least 5 years in a senior finance leadership role.
• Experience in complex, multi-site or group environments.
• Strong expertise in financial strategy, planning, budgeting, forecasting, reporting and governance.
• Proven track record of improving profitability and operational effectiveness.
• Experience leading and developing a high-performing finance team.
• Exposure to acquisitions, investments, capital allocation or business optimization.
• Automotive retail or dealership exposure is advantageous.

Responsibilities

• Lead the organisation's financial strategy, planning, budgeting and performance-management processes.
• Translate business strategy into measurable financial plans, targets and commercial outcomes.
• Provide strategic financial advice to the COO, Executive Committee and leaders.
• Oversee financial reporting, annual statements and timely management information.
• Monitor performance against budgets, forecasts and KPIs.
• Offer insights on revenue, margins, cash flow, costs and ROI.
• Partner with operational leaders to improve commercial performance and efficiency.
• Identify risks and opportunities for business optimisation.
• Establish strong governance, internal controls and reporting disciplines.
• Guide acquisitions, investments and capital allocation considerations.
• Build and retain a high-performing finance team.

Skills

Strategic financial leadership

Executive stakeholder engagement

Financial governance

Team leadership

Education

CA(SA) or equivalent

Job description

Sector: Automotive Retail

Management Level: Executive

Reporting To: Chief Operating Officer

Role Overview

3L Consulting is recruiting an experienced and commercially astute Financial Director for a leading automotive retail organisation.

Reporting to the Chief Operating Officer and working closely with the Executive Committee and operational leadership, the Financial Director will provide strategic and operational financial leadership across a complex, multi-site business.

This senior executive position carries responsibility for financial strategy, planning, performance, governance and the leadership of the finance function. The successful candidate will use financial and commercial insight to influence decision-making, strengthen profitability and controls, and support the organisation's sustainable growth and long-term value creation.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead the organisation's financial strategy, planning, budgeting, forecasting and performance-management processes

• Translate business strategy into measurable financial plans, targets and commercial outcomes

• Provide strategic financial advice and insight to the Chief Operating Officer, Executive Committee and operational leadership

• Oversee financial reporting, annual financial statements and the delivery of accurate and timely management information

• Monitor financial and operational performance against budgets, forecasts and key performance indicators

• Provide meaningful insight into revenue, margins, profitability, cash flow, costs and return on investment

• Partner with operational leaders to improve commercial performance, cost management and operational effectiveness

• Identify financial risks, opportunities, performance gaps and areas for business optimisation

• Establish and maintain effective financial governance, internal controls, policies and reporting disciplines

• Ensure compliance with applicable financial, statutory, regulatory and governance requirements

• Oversee financial risk management and support the mitigation of material business risks

• Provide financial analysis and guidance relating to acquisitions, investments, capital allocation and other strategic initiatives

• Lead, develop and retain a high-performing finance team with clear standards of accountability

• Build leadership, technical capability and succession capacity within the finance function

• Drive continuous improvement across financial systems, processes, reporting and analytical capabilities

• Promote the effective use of technology, automation and data to improve efficiency and decision-making

• Build credible relationships with internal stakeholders, auditors, financial institutions and other external business partners

Minimum Requirements

• Qualifications

  • CA(SA) or an equivalent recognised professional accounting qualification

• Experience

  • A minimum of 10 years' progressive finance experience

  • At least 5 years' experience in a senior finance leadership role

  • Proven experience operating within a complex, multi-site or group environment

  • Strong experience in financial strategy, planning, budgeting, forecasting, reporting, governance and performance management

  • A demonstrated track record of improving financial performance, profitability and operational effectiveness

  • Proven experience leading and developing a high-performing finance team

  • Experience partnering with executive and operational leaders on strategic and commercial matters

  • Exposure to acquisitions, investments, capital allocation or business-optimisation initiatives

  • Experience within automotive retail, dealership operations, general retail or a closely related industry will be strongly advantageous

Key Competencies and Attributes

• Strategic and commercial financial leadership

• Strong financial and operational acumen

• Executive-level decision-making and business partnering

• Financial reporting, analysis and performance management

• Governance, risk management and internal controls

• Profitability, cash flow and capital management

• Analytical thinking and sound commercial judgement

• Confident stakeholder engagement and influence

• Strong people leadership and team-development capability

• Clear and credible executive communication

• A practical, decisive and solutions-focused approach

• High levels of integrity, accountability and financial discipline

Ideal Candidate Profile

The ideal candidate is an accomplished senior finance leader with the technical credibility, commercial judgement and leadership presence required to help shape the financial direction of a significant automotive retail business.

They must be comfortable operating at both strategic and operational levels, using financial insight to influence decisions, improve performance and create sustainable value. The successful candidate will be a credible business partner who can constructively challenge senior stakeholders, lead a high-performing finance function and operate effectively within a large, fast-paced and complex commercial environment.