Head: Performance Analysis & Insights: Group Finance

Sanlam; Sandton; On-site; ZAR 1,200,000 - 1,800,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading financial services group is seeking a Head of Performance Analysis & Insights in Sandton. This crucial role focuses on driving performance measurement through data analytics and optimizing business outcomes. Candidates must have a strong leadership background and significant experience in strategic performance management, along with advanced proficiency in data visualization tools. The position offers opportunities for professional growth and impact within an international organization committed to diversity and transformation.

Benefits

Opportunities for growth and development

Qualifications

• 8–12 years’ experience in performance management, business analytics, strategy, or financial planning.
• Proven leadership experience in a complex, data-rich environment.
• Experience engaging with executive stakeholders and presenting insights at senior forums.

Responsibilities

• Lead the performance analysis and business insights function.
• Ensure the organization has a robust understanding of business performance across key functions.
• Build and lead a high-performing performance and insights team.

Skills

Analytical skills

Leadership

Stakeholder engagement

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Business Analytics, Finance, Statistics, Economics

Qualified CA (SA)

Master’s degree (preferred)

Tools

Power BI

Tableau

SQL

Python

R

Job description

Who are we?

Sanlam was established as a life insurance company in South Africa but has since transformed into a diversified financial services group that operates across the African continent, India, Malaysia and selected developed markets, with listings on the Johannesburg, A2X and Namibian stock exchanges. In 2018 the Group celebrated its centenary as well as 20 years since demutualisation and listing in South Africa and Namibia. Sanlam is one of thelargest internationally active insurance groups in the world with a presence in 31 countries and has the biggest non-banking financial services footprint on the African continent.

The Group's five business clusters (Sanlam Fintech, Sanlam Life and Savings, Sanlam Investment Group, Sanlam Allianz and Santam) house the Group's business operations. The Group Office provides strategic direction and support to the five clusters, assisting them in realising their strategies and meeting their business objectives. The Group Office is responsible for governance and for the Group's centralised functions, which include: Finance, Actuarial, Risk and Balance Sheet Management, Strategy, Human Capital, Corporate Affairs and Sustainability.

What will you do?

The Head of Performance Analysis & Insights will lead the performance analysis and business insights function, enabling strategic decision-making through data-driven performance measurement, advanced analytics, and actionable insights. This role ensures the organisation has a robust understanding of business performance across key functions, identifying opportunities to optimise outcomes, drive value creation, and support strategic execution.

What will make you successful in this role?

Strategic Performance Management

• Lead the development and implementation of frameworks to measure and track business performance across key operational, financial, and strategic metrics.
• Collaborate with executives and business units to define KPIs and performance scorecards aligned with strategic objectives.
• Provide regular, insightful performance reporting to Exco, Board, and relevant governance forums.

Data-Driven Insights & Analytics

• Oversee the analysis of complex business data to uncover trends, risks, and opportunities.
• Translate data into strategic narratives to support informed decision-making.
• Guide the use of predictive and prescriptive analytics to anticipate future performance and inform planning.

Business Partnering & Stakeholder Engagement

• Act as a strategic advisor to senior leaders, supporting the translation of business goals into measurable outcomes.
• Partner with finance, risk, HR, and operations to align performance insights with key initiatives and business planning cycles.
• Lead engagements with external partners where data analytics or benchmarking is required.

Team Leadership & Capability Development

• Build and lead a high-performing performance and insights team.
• Drive a culture of continuous learning, innovation, and analytical excellence.
• Foster collaboration with BI, data science, and digital teams to leverage organisational data assets.

Reporting, Governance & Compliance

• Ensure integrity, accuracy, and relevance of all performance data and dashboards.
• Maintain compliance with data governance, regulatory, and audit requirements.
• Support the preparation of reports for Board, regulatory bodies, and investor relations (if applicable)

Qualification and Experience

• Qualified CA (SA) or Bachelor’s degree in Business Analytics, Finance, Statistics, Economics, or related field (Master’s degree preferred).
• 8–12 years’ experience in performance management, business analytics, strategy, or financial planning.
• Proven leadership experience in a complex, data-rich environment.
• Advanced proficiency in data visualisation tools (e.g., Power BI, Tableau) and analytical tools (e.g., SQL, Python, R advantageous).
• Experience engaging with executive stakeholders and presenting insights at senior forums.

Knowledge and Skills Strategic management information planning Analyse Operating efficiencies Budget management and forecasting Capital expenditure management Cash flow monitoring and management Management of employees Personal Attributes

• Organisational savvy - Contributing strategically
• Manages complexity - Contributing strategically
• Drives engagement - Contributing strategically
• Business insight - Contributing strategically

Build a successful career with us

We’re all about building strong, lasting relationships with our employees. We know that you have hopes for your future – your career, your personal development and of achieving great things. We pride ourselves in helping our employees to realise their worth. Through its five business clusters – Sanlam Fintech, Sanlam Life and Savings, Sanlam Investment Group, Sanlam Allianz, Santam, as well as MiWay and the Group Office – the group provides many opportunities for growth and development.

Core Competencies

• Strategic thinking and commercial acumen
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills
• Influencing and stakeholder engagement
• Excellent communication and storytelling through data
• Results-driven leadership
• High attention to detail with a bias for actionable insights

Turnaround time

The shortlisting process will only start once the application due date has been reached. The time taken to complete this process will depend on how far you progress and the availability of managers.

The closing date is 29 July 2025.

Our commitment to transformation

The Sanlam Group is committed to achieving transformation and embraces diversity. This commitment is what drives us to achieve a diverse, inclusive and equitable workplace as we believe that these are key components to ensuring a thriving and sustainable business in South Africa. The Group's Employment Equity plan and targets will be considered as part of the selection process.