Manager: Debt Management

Sars; Pretoria; On-site; ZAR 1,200,000 - 1,800,000; Full time

Job summary

SARS High Value Debt in Pretoria is seeking a results-driven leader to manage a critical debt management function. The role focuses on driving debt finalisation, improving collection metrics and reducing the debt book through disciplined execution and strong governance.

You will lead a high-performing team, manage stakeholder relationships and ensure compliance while delivering measurable results. The successful candidate will translate strategy into action, oversee budgeting and SOP

Qualifications

• Bachelor's Degree or Advanced Diploma (NQF 7) in Debt Management, Audit, Financial Management, Business Management, HR Management, Tax/Tax law or related field
• 8 to 10 years’ experience in a debt management or audit environment, of which 3 to 4 years at junior management level
• Senior Certificate (NQF 4) with 15 years of related experience in a debt management or audit environment, of which 3 to 4 years at junior management level

Responsibilities

• Act as the bottom-line drivers of tactical implementation within the context of business unit excellence and performance improvement
• Develop and maintain standard operating procedures (SOP) and quality and service standards
• Direct, control, coordinate and optimise budgeted resources to meet specific objectives and deliver agreed results and productivity requirements
• Ensure the development and implementation of a practice in alignment with operational policy and procedural frameworks
• Implement tactical strategy and delivery plans through the development of operational activities
• Plan for handling work outputs, pull together interdependent activities and specify priorities, standards and procedures to ensure tactical implementation
• Provide periodic reports on performance against plan & progress on short-term initiatives & use to realign tactical plan and objectives appropriately
• Recommend changes to optimise processes, systems, policies and procedures, and execute the implementation of change and innovation initiated by the organisation
• Timeously communicate top-down policy modification, objective achievement progress and critical success factors to impacted stakeholders
• Use the insights gained through integrated business reports to measure success and realign tactical strategy implementation objectives appropriately

Skills

Debt management

Leadership

Governance

Risk management

Stakeholder management

Budgeting

Strategic planning

Operational decision-making

Education

Bachelor's Degree or Advanced Diploma (NQF 7) in Debt Management, Audit, Financial Management, Business Management, HR Management, Tax/Tax law or related field

Senior Certificate (NQF 4) with 15 years of related experience in debt management or audit

Job description

Requisition ID11606-Posted22/10/2026- Region (1) - Location (1)

Position Reports to: Business Area Lead: High Value Debt
Division: Taxpayer Engagement
Location: Pretoria (Kasteel Office Park)

Advert Closing Date: 29 October 2026

About the Position

SARS High Value Debt is seeking a results-driven leader to manage a critical debt management function that contributes directly to revenue collection, operational excellence, and taxpayer compliance. This role provides the opportunity to lead a high-performing team, drive the execution of debt management strategies, and ensure that allocated debt cases are effectively progressed and resolved. The successful candidate will play a key role in reducing outstanding debt, strengthening governance and risk management, and improving service delivery in support of SARS’s mandate.

What will make you successful in this role is the ability to translate strategy into execution, lead high-performing teams, make sound operational decisions, manage stakeholder relationships, and maintain strong governance, risk, and compliance discipline while delivering measurable results.
To lead and optimise debt management operations by driving the finalisation of the allocated debt cases, improving the collection of overdue debt, and reducing the debt book through disciplined execution, sound governance, and effective team leadership.

Job Purpose

To effectively manage debt book through finalisation of the allocated debt cases to reduce the debt book.

Education and Experience

Minimum Qualification & Experience Required

Bachelor's Degree or Advanced Diploma (NQF 7) in Debt Management, Audit, Financial Management, Business Management, HR Management, Tax/Tax law or a related field, and 8 to 10 years’ experience in a debt management or audit environment, of which 3 to 4 years at junior management level.

Senior Certificate (NQF 4) with 15 years of related experience in a debt management or audit environment, of which 3 to 4 years at junior management level.

Job Outputs:

Process

• Act as the bottom-line drivers of tactical implementation within the context of business unit excellence and performance improvement.
• Develop and maintain standard operating procedures (SOP) and quality and service standards, to be adhered to in area of accountability.
• Direct, control, coordinate and optimise budgeted resources to meet specific objectives and deliver agreed results and productivity requirements.
• Ensure the development and implementation of a practice in alignment with operational policy and procedural frameworks.
• Implement tactical strategy and delivery plans through the development of operational activities, ensuring the achievement of operational targets.
• Plan for handling work outputs, pull together interdependent activities and specify priorities, standards and procedures to ensure tactical implementation.
• Provide periodic reports on performance against plan & progress on short-term initiatives & use to realign tactical plan and objectives appropriately.
• Recommend changes to optimise processes, systems, policies and procedures, and execute the implementation of change and innovation initiated by the organisation.
• Timeously communicate top-down policy modification, objective achievement progress and critical success factors to impacted stakeholders.
• Use the insights gained through integrated business reports to measure success and realign tactical strategy implementation objectives appropriately.

Governance

• Implement governance, risk and compliance policy in own practice area to identify and manage governance and risk exposure liability.
• Manage and or advise on the translation and application of policy in a specific functional area.

People

• Develop and implement appropriate people capacity plans in line with delivery and efficiency targets, on budget and in partnership with specialised area.
• Develop and maintain a team that is capable for operating to their full capability and provide appropriate skills, knowledge and experience.
• Plan and implement enhanced organisational efficiency by identifying and addressing development requirements and providing tools for people resources.
• Translate performance expectations into specific metrics and goals to identify and provide effective services, solve problems and achieve objectives.

Finance

• Draw up a budget aligned to tactical delivery plans, monitor planned vs. actual, minimise expenditure and report on cost efficiency.
• Implement and monitor financial control, management of costs and corporate governance in area of accountability.

Client

• Build strong relationships and implement service level agreements that promote SARS with internal and external stakeholders.
• Develop and ensure implementation of practices which builds service delivery excellence and encourages others to provide exceptional client service.
• Manage an integrated service excellence culture, which builds rewarding relationships and provides opportunity for feedback and exceptional service.

• Accountability (V)
• Fairness and Transparency (V)
• Honesty and Integrity (V)
• Problem Solving and Analysis
• Respect (V)
• Stakeholder Engagement and Management
• Trust (V)
• Ability to translate strategy into execution
• Concern for Impact of own behaviour on others
• Develops teams and nurtures interdependency
• Inspires others to Positive Action
• Nurtures Future Talent
• Stewardship and Service Orientation
• Strong Results Orientation
• Values and Manages Diversity
• Business Acumen
• Change Management
• Debt Management
• Decisiveness
• Effective Business Communication
• Functional Policies and Procedures
• Managerial Budgeting
• Planning and Organising
• Planning, Management and Measurement
• Problem Analysis and Judgement

Compliance Competency

OC Confidential - (a) sensitive information, the unlawful disclosure of which may be harmful to the security or national interest of the Republic or could prejudice the Republic in its international relations;(b) commercial information, the disclosure of which may cause financial loss to an entity or may prejudice an entity in its relations with its clients,
competitors, contractors and suppliers. E.g. Taxpayer information

Employment Equity

The Employment Equity policy of SARS will be considered as part of the recruitment and selection process and Persons with Disabilities are encouraged to apply. Successful candidates will be required to undertake an oath of secrecy, pre-employment screening, case study, pre-assessment, psychometric assessment and or vetting, and a declaration of private interest. The appointment is also subject to appropriate reference(s) and security clearance where applicable.