Head of Finance

Salt; Stellenbosch; Hybrid; ZAR 135,000 - 165,000; Full time

Job summary

Salt, based in Stellenbosch, seeks a Head of Finance & Operations (CA(SA)) to lead strategic financial planning and operational finance across Africa. This hybrid role requires travel to Pretoria and close partnership with the CEO on governance, HR oversight, and compliance across multiple jurisdictions.

You will drive SaaS metrics, manage cash flow and FX risk, and implement POPIA/GDPR controls while guiding long-term incentive schemes in a fast-growth tech environment.

Qualifications

• CA(SA) strongly preferred; CIMA will be considered.
• 8+ years post-articles experience.
• Proven leadership experience within a growth-stage technology or SaaS environment (non-negotiable).
• Strong hands‑on operational finance experience across multiple African markets.
• Experience with FX/forex risk management (non-negotiable).
• Direct working experience with technology and using AI tools in day-to-day work (AI implementation experience).
• Experience with Zoho Books, Zoho CRM, Zoho Subscriptions and Zoho Analytics / Looker Studio advantageous.

Responsibilities

• Drive SaaS-focused financial strategy across ARR, MRR, NRR, CAC and LTV
• Lead financial reporting, forecasting and board-ready financial packs
• Manage cash flow and FX risk across ZAR, EUR, GHS and other African currencies
• Oversee commercial, supplier and employment contract drafting, review and negotiation
• Manage corporate governance, shareholder agreements, board resolutions and statutory filings
• Own POPIA and GDPR compliance, including cross-border data transfer controls and breach readiness
• Oversee payroll, employment contracts and HR compliance across jurisdictions
• Administer the organisation’s long‑term incentive/share option scheme
• Partner with the CEO on people, culture and employee engagement
• Use technology and AI tools hands-on to build financial models, develop board packs and support compliance research

Skills

Financial leadership

FX risk management

Strategic business partnering

AI tools in finance

Operational finance across Africa

Education

CA(SA)

MBA or Master’s in Financial Management / International Business

Tools

Zoho Books

Zoho CRM

Zoho Subscriptions

Zoho Analytics

Google Looker Studio

Job description

Head of Finance & Operations | CA(SA)

Stellenbosch | Travel to Pretoria is Required | Hybrid

Growth-Stage Technology / SaaS Business

R150 000 CTC + Short & Long Term Incentives

An exciting opportunity has opened for a Head of Finance & Operations to join a high-growth technology/SaaS business operating across multiple African markets.

This is not a traditional Financial Controller role. You will operate as a strategic business partner to the CEO, taking ownership of the organisation’s financial strategy, operational finance, compliance, legal frameworks, HR oversight and governance across multiple jurisdictions.

What you’ll be responsible for:

• Drive SaaS-focused financial strategy across ARR, MRR, NRR, CAC and LTV
• Lead financial reporting, forecasting and board-ready financial packs
• Manage cash flow and FX risk across ZAR, EUR, GHS and other African currencies
• Oversee commercial, supplier and employment contract drafting, review and negotiation
• Manage corporate governance, shareholder agreements, board resolutions and statutory filings
• Own POPIA and GDPR compliance, including cross-border data transfer controls and breach readiness
• Oversee payroll, employment contracts and HR compliance across jurisdictions
• Administer the organisation’s long‑term incentive/share option scheme
• Partner with the CEO on people, culture and employee engagement
• Use technology and AI tools hands-on to build financial models, develop board packs and support compliance research

Key Requirements:

• CA(SA) strongly preferred; CIMA will be considered
• 8+ years post-articles experience
• Proven leadership experience within a growth-stage technology or SaaS environment (non-negotiable)
• Strong hands‑on operational finance experience across multiple African markets
• Experience with FX/forex risk management (non-negotiable)
• Strong commercial, governance and operational understanding
• Direct working experience with technology and using AI tools in your day-to-day work. AI implementation experience (non-negotiable)
• Experience with Zoho Books, Zoho CRM, Zoho Subscriptions and Zoho Analytics / Google Looker Studio is advantageous
• MBA or Master’s in Financial Management / International Business is advantageous

The person we’re looking for:

You’ll need to be commercially minded, highly hands‑on and comfortable operating at both strategic and operational levels. This is an environment where ownership, curiosity and the ability to execute matter.

You should be confident enough to constructively challenge the numbers when they don’t support the vision, while partnering closely with a fast-moving executive team.