Head of Finance and Operations

Old Mutual Life Assurance Company (Malawi) Limited; Johannesburg; On-site; ZAR 60 000 - 120 000; Full time

Job summary

Join a forward-thinking company as the Head of Finance and Operations, where you will play a crucial role in shaping the financial strategy of the Social Investment Cluster. This position involves overseeing financial planning, reporting, and compliance, while managing a talented team of finance professionals. You will engage with senior executives to drive business performance and ensure effective resource utilization. This opportunity offers a chance to make a significant impact in a dynamic environment, contributing to the company's mission of leveraging financial resources for social good. If you are a strategic thinker with a passion for finance, this role is perfect for you.

Qualifications

• 8+ years' experience in financial services with leadership roles.
• Strong financial, accounting, and managerial skills required.

Responsibilities

• Lead financial planning and reporting for the Social Investment Cluster.
• Manage budgeting processes and ensure compliance with financial regulations.

Skills

Financial Management

Budget Management

Financial Reporting

Accounting

Data Analysis

Leadership

Risk Management

Financial Modeling

Education

Bachelor's Degree in Finance

Professional qualification in Finance (CA preferred)

Tools

Financial Information Systems

Job description

Recruiter Old Mutual Life Assurance Company (Malawi) Limited

Let's Write Africa's Story Together!

Old Mutual is a firm believer in the African opportunity and our diverse talent reflects this.

Job Description

The Head of Finance and Operations will report directly to the Chief Financial Officer for the Social Investment Cluster.

The role will provide financial planning and reporting for the Social Investment Cluster to ensure adequacy of resources to deliver the operational agenda and strategic imperatives of the business. This role is responsible for delivery of the financial accounting / control function in the organisation through other managers and their teams. Responsible for preparation of business plans over a 3-year period with regular re-forecasts of the material financial metrics of the organisation.

A significant part of the role entails engagements with Exco members that head up the Social Investment Cluster.

Business Performance / Business Planning and Budgeting

• Drives the preparation of plans and budgets to support the Social Investment Cluster's annual plan and strategy.
• Drives the periodic and annual financial reporting cycles to provide a clear line of sight of the business performance.
• Monitor the business' progress towards achievement of annual budget showing trends, and opportunities to maximize income, reduce cost and minimize risk. Act as financial advisor to the business units to ensure effective utilisation of resources and cost optimization.
• Participates in project activities associated with financial planning and reporting including development of project plan and coordination of project activities.

Financial Reporting

• Develop, implement and enforce appropriate financial accounting and reporting policies, processes and procedures across the business.
• Review the general ledger to check that all the business general ledger transactions are updated regularly in line with the accounting principles and accounts are fully reconciled.
• Responsible for compliance reporting for the business (Tax, Regulatory) in accordance with statutory, regulatory and IFRS requirements.
• Oversight and ultimate responsibility of delivering on the Annual Financial Statements for at least 4 entities in the Social Investment Cluster.
• Responsible for reporting into OML Group on the consolidation tool (currently HFM).

External Audit process

• Manage the external audit processes for the business and be the contact person during interim and final audits both internal and external.
• Works directly with Reporting functions at the various underlying businesses to implement new accounting standards that impact the organization and ensures accuracy and compliance of financial reports.

Internal Controls / Governance

• Put in place / regularly review internal controls across the business and ensure they are appropriate and are consistently applied.

People Management

• Manages and leads a team of accountants and accounting specialists.
• Oversee performance and development of the team members.
• Ensure effective communication to all employees.

Treasury and capital management

• Oversee and ensure the effective management of the treasury and capital management function
• Ensure implementation and compliance to financial risk policies across the Social Investment Cluster

Required Experience

• 8+ years' experience in the financial services sector.
• Experience managing teams is a requirement
• 4+ years in a senior Finance role

Educational Requirement

• Minimum - Bachelor's Degree in Finance / Business / Actuarial Science.
• Professional qualification in Finance - CA qualification is preferred but not required

Competencies

• Strong financial, accounting and managerial skills
• Strong ability to implement and monitor internal controls
• Good communicator, planner and organiser
• Effective project management skills
• Logical thinker with ability to manage complex processes
• Thorough knowledge of accounting standards (IFRS)
• Leadership and Management
• Attention to detail and strong analytical skills

Manage and coordinate the company's financial function, including general accounting, cost management, budgeting, and payroll, in accordance with corporate policies and procedures to meet the company's business requirements. This is the top finance position for a specific location, but it is governed by policies and frameworks established by the larger corporation.

Responsibilities

Financial Policies, Guidelines, and Protocols

Lead and coordinate the development and delivery of financial policies, guidelines, and protocols across the business to ensure the company complies with regulations and good financial practice.

Financial Management and Control

Manage a significant portion of the organization's financial management and/or control processes.

Financial Modeling

Undertake strategic and tactical financial analysis, modeling, and evaluation to support business leaders in their decision-making.

Data Collection and Analysis

Make authoritative recommendations that have a significant impact on the business over the short and long term. Recommendations could be technical or professional in nature.

Organizational Risk Management

Manage a significant portion of the organization's risk management and/or risk control processes. This includes contributing to the development and implementation of risk management policies and procedures.

Financial Information Systems

Own the development of financial systems for the company or group. Own the governance of finance systems to ensure they adhere to group accounting and statutory rules.

Functional Strategy Formation

Lead the development and implementation of strategy for an important area of responsibility within a function, anticipating complex issues, challenges, and opportunities and ensuring integration with wider functional strategy.

Information and Business Advice

Provide authoritative specialist advice to senior managers at the business unit or regional level to enable the implementation of policy, projects, and change initiatives.

Leadership and Direction

Identify and communicate the actions needed to implement the function's strategy and business plan within the business area or department; explain the relationship to the broader organization's mission, vision, and values; motivate people to commit to these tenets and do extraordinary things to achieve local business goals.

Performance Management

Manage and report on performance within the department or area of responsibility; set appropriate performance objectives for direct reports and hold individuals accountable for achieving them; take appropriate corrective action where necessary to ensure the achievement of annual business objectives.

Organizational Capability Building

Evaluate the capabilities of staff within the department to identify gaps and prioritize development activities. Implement the organization's formal development frameworks within the area of responsibility. Coach and mentor others to support the development of the organization's talent pool.

Budgeting

Manage budget plans for a department. May involve development or delivery or both.

Skills

Accounting, Adaptive Thinking, Budget Management, Data Compilation, Data Controls, Evaluating Information, Executing Plans, Finance, Financial Accounting, Financial Acumen, Financial Auditing, Financial Management, Financial Modeling, Financial Risk, Management Accounting, Management Reporting, Numerical Aptitude, Policies & Procedures

Competencies

Balances Stakeholders

Business Insight

Decision Quality

Ensures Accountability

Financial Acumen

Instills Trust

Manages Complexity

Optimizes Work Processes

Education

Bachelors Degree (B) (Required)

Closing Date

08 May 2025 , 23:59

The appointment will be made from the designated group in line with the Employment Equity Plan of Old Mutual South Africa and the specific business unit in question.

The Old Mutual Story!