Head of Finance

About us

At Network , every second counts. As a leader in the fast-paced world of financial services, we thrive on innovation, agility, and the relentless pursuit of excellence.

We recognize industry trends, the dual nature of technological advancements, and the scarcity of top talent. This is why we prioritize investing in our people.

Here, you’ll work alongside industry experts to solve complex problems and leverage cutting-edge technology to stay ahead of the competition.

We offer a culture where your skills are valued, your growth is prioritized, and your achievements are recognized—because winning

Job Purpose

The Chief Financial Officer (CFO) is a strategic and results-oriented member of the leadership team. The CFO will be a key partner to the Group Managing Director Africa Acquiring and will be responsible for overseeing all financial operations, providing strategic financial guidance, and ensuring the company's financial health and sustainable growth within the fast-paced and evolving payments landscape. This role requires a strong understanding of the payments industry, exceptional financial acumen, and the ability to lead and develop a high-performing finance team.

The successful candidate will inherit a well-established finance function and will be expected to build upon this foundation, driving efficiency, scalability, and financial innovation. The role oversees the Africa Acquiring unit, which includes legal entities in South Africa, Kenya, rest of East and Southern Africa along with the South African outsourced payment processing finance function.

Strategic Leadership & Financial Planning:

• Develop and execute the company's financial strategy in alignment with overall business objectives.
• Provide strategic financial insights and recommendations to the Group Africa acquiring MD, Network Group CFO, regional MD’s and leadership teams.
• Collaborating with a variety of departments, including group finance, technology, human resources, treasury, compliance and legal
• Preparing and presenting reports to the executive team on the company’s overall financial situation on a weekly and monthly basis
• Lead the budgeting and forecasting processes, ensuring alignment with strategic goals.
• Develop and monitor key performance indicators (KPIs) to track financial performance and drive accountability.
• Conduct financial modeling and scenario planning to support strategic decision-making.
• Analyze market trends and competitor activities within the payments sector to identify opportunities and risks.
• Evaluate potential acquisitions and strategic partnerships from a financial perspective.

Financial Management, Reporting & Compliance:

• Effectively communicate financial performance and insights to non-financial stakeholders.
• Oversee all aspects of financial accounting, reporting, and compliance, ensuring accuracy and timeliness.
• Manage the preparation and presentation of financial statements to the management and executive team.
• Ensure compliance with all relevant accounting standards, regulations, and tax laws in across Africa and any other relevant jurisdictions.
• Implement and maintain robust internal controls to safeguard company assets.
• Manage relationships with external auditors, tax advisors, and other financial institutions.
• Optimize financial processes and systems to enhance efficiency and scalability
• Oversee the preparation of consolidated accounts for the Group and prepare annual and quarterly reviews
• Develop and implement tax and financial strategies
• Oversee acquiring unit Capex and Capex needs, including a review of project business plans and ROI calculations
• Review and analyse trends of expenses, revenues, and losses to identify opportunities to improve performance;

Team Leadership & Development:

• Lead, mentor, and develop a high-performing finance team across South Africa and Kenya, fostering a culture of collaboration, accountability, and continuous improvement.
• Ensure the finance team has the necessary skills and resources to effectively support the business.
• Oversee talent management within the finance function, including performance reviews and development plans.
• Ensure alignment of teams and processes with the Group finance function based in the UAE.

Treasury & Cash Management:

• Manage the company's cash flow, ensuring adequate liquidity for operational needs, acquiring business and strategic initiatives.
• Develop and maintain relationships with banks and other financial partners.
• Support Group treasury team to oversee treasury functions, including cash management, investments, and debt management.
• Manage foreign exchange risk and other financial risks.

Specific to the Payments Industry:

• Develop a deep understanding of the payments ecosystem, including payment processing technologies, regulatory requirements, and industry trends.
• Manage financial aspects related to payment processing fees, interchange rates, and settlement processes.
• Ensure financial compliance with relevant payment industry regulations and standards.
• Analyze the financial impact of new payment products and services.

Qualifications for Internal Candidates

• Qualified Chartered Accountant (CA(SA)) or equivalent professional accounting qualification.
• Minimum of 10-15 years of progressive finance experience, with at least 5 years in a senior financial leadership role, preferably within the payments, fintech, or financial services industry.
• Proven track record of developing and implementing successful financial strategies.
• Strong understanding of accounting principles (IFRS), financial reporting, and tax regulations.
• Experience managing treasury functions, cash flow, and risk.
• Excellent leadership, communication, and interpersonal skills.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving abilities.
• Proficiency in financial management software and ERP systems.
• Experience working in a fast-paced and dynamic environment.

Personal Attributes:

• Strategic thinker with a strong business acumen.

• Results-oriented and driven to achieve financial targets.

• Excellent communicator and influencer.

• Strong ethical principles and integrity.

• Ability to build and lead high-performing teams.

• Adaptable and resilient in a changing environment