Head Of Finance

Servest Careers; Gauteng; On-site; ZAR 800 000 - 1 200 000; Full time

Job summary

A leading facilities management company seeks a senior financial leader in Gauteng to develop and implement financial strategies. The ideal candidate will hold a CA(SA) or CIMA qualification, with at least 10 years of senior financial management experience. Responsibilities include overseeing all financial control functions and ensuring compliance with relevant legislation. Candidates must demonstrate strong leadership and problem-solving skills, with extensive experience in commercial governance and facilities management. This role offers a strategic position within the organization.

Qualifications

• 10 years of senior financial management experience, including full-cycle accounting.
• At least 5 years in a senior leadership/executive finance role.
• Strong experience in financial risk management and compliance.
• Proven track record in facilities management or outsourcing.

Responsibilities

• Develop and implement divisional financial strategies aligned with group objectives.
• Lead internal and external audits; ensure clean audit outcomes.
• Manage relationships with operational leaders and external partners.
• Oversee all accounting, reporting, and financial control functions.

Skills

Leadership

Analytical skills

Problem-solving

Project management

Financial risk management

Commercial governance

Education

CA(SA) or completed CIMA qualification

Project Management certification (PMI / Prince2)

Business Optimisation (Lean Six Sigma)

Tools

MS Office

Excel

ERP systems

Job description

Duties & Responsibilities

• Lead divisional financial strategy aligned to Group objectives.
• Develop 3–5 year financial plans, budgets, and forecasts.
• Provide strategic financial insight and scenario modelling to EXCO.
• Participate in MANCO in shaping divisional and business strategy.
• Challenge business assumptions and support informed decision‑making.
• Participate with Cluster MANCO in the regular review and updating of company strategy for approval by the Board.
• Contribute fully to the development of company strategy across all areas of the business, challenging assumptions and decision‑making as appropriate.
• Provide financial analysis and guidance on all activities, plans, targets, and business drivers.
• Set budget assumptions, coordinate budget preparation and consolidation on an annual basis.
• Oversee all accounting, reporting and financial control functions for the cluster.
• Ensure accurate monthly, quarterly, and annual reporting to Group Finance.
• Review GL reconciliations, tax returns (VAT / PAYE / IT12), fixed asset register.
• Build strong, compliant financial systems and processes across all BUs.
• Collaborate on Sales pricing, bid review, tender approval and commercial risk evaluation.
• Ensure contract profitability, margin optimisation and price escalation accuracy.
• Support deal structuring for guarding, landscaping, parking and technology.
• Conduct ROI assessments for machinery, surveillance tech, parking systems and automation.
• Full ownership of cashflow forecasting, working capital and liquidity planning.
• Improve DSO, reduce WIP, strengthen collections and debtor performance.
• Oversee banking structures, signatories, reconciliations and fraud controls.
• Ensure POS, EFT and cash reconciliation for Parking operations.
• Manage Forex exposure, FX payments, hedging strategies and exchange control in Parking entities outside SA.
• Engage Group Treasury regarding insurance, seasonal cash needs and FX.
• Strengthen operational finance in Security, Landscaping and Parking.
• Reduce financial leakage, overtime, errors and inefficiencies.
• Implement integrated financial and operational systems.
• Oversee asset management (fleet, machinery, radios, firearms, tech, POS).

Compliance and Audit

• Ensure full compliance with IFRS, Companies Act, VAT, PAYE, SDL, PSIRA, BCEA, LRA, COIDA, environmental and parking regulations.
• Oversee tax planning and submissions with Group Tax.
• Lead internal and external audits; ensure clean audit outcomes.
• Collaborate and manage regulatory filings (CIPC, tax returns, statutory submissions).

Project & Process Leadership

• Sponsor / Lead ad-hoc strategic and operational projects across Cluster BUs.
• Apply PMO governance: scoping, budgeting, timelines, risk management to ad‑hoc projects sponsored with Group PMO.
• Collaborate on the drive/journey to technology rollouts (surveillance, access control, fleet systems, POS).
• Lead divisional CI roadmap using Lean methodologies.
• Drive operational cost optimisation and efficiency initiatives.
• Automate financial processes (billing, reconciliations, approvals).
• Deliver monthly CI performance and benefit realisation reports.
• Strengthen data quality, reporting automation and BI dashboards.
• Support IDU/ERP enhancements and integration of operational systems.
• Drive RPA and automation in financial processes for accuracy and speed.
• Lead, coach and inspire finance teams across the cluster.
• Build a future‑fit finance structure aligned to strategy.
• Drive performance management, succession planning and talent pipelines.
• Improve financial literacy among Operations and Site Managers.
• Manage relationships with operational leaders, Group Finance, HR, Business Excellence, Commercial and ITE.
• Engage with bankers, auditors, insurers, tax advisors and external partners.
• Represent the division in key stakeholder discussions and financial reviews.
• Manage and run other ad‑hoc projects from Group.

Minimum Requirements

• CA(SA) or completed CIMA qualification (essential).
• Project Management certification (PMI / Prince2) – advantageous.
• Business Optimisation (Lean Six Sigma).
• Advanced MS Office, Excel, ERP proficiency.
• Advanced financial management, tax, and related legislation knowledge.
• 10 years senior financial management experience, including full‑cycle accounting.
• At least 5 years in a senior leadership/executive finance role.
• Experience in Facilities Management, Security, Landscaping, Parking or outsourcing.
• Proven commercial governance (pricing, tenders, contract profitability).
• Strong experience in financial risk management, tax, IFRS, and compliance.
• Demonstrated experience in payroll oversight, audits, and statutory reporting.
• Experience leading cross‑functional teams and large improvement projects.
• Demonstrated competency profile:
• Strategic orientation with strong business acumen.
• Excellent analytical and problem‑solving capability.
• Ability to influence / engage at all levels and EXCO level.
• Strong leadership and team‑building skills.
• High integrity and governance mindset.
• Ability to perform under pressure and manage deadlines.
• Strong written and verbal communication.
• Innovative, agile, and solution‑driven.
• Ability to manage multiple projects simultaneously.