Managing Director

findojobs-za; Johannesburg; Hybrid; ZAR 500 000 - 600 000; Full time

Job summary

A leading mental health provider is seeking a Managing Director for Southern Africa to oversee regional strategy and growth. This role includes full P&L ownership, financial performance management, and commercial leadership. The ideal candidate should have extensive leadership experience, a strong financial background, and an ability to engage with diverse stakeholders. This position is based in Johannesburg with a hybrid working model, involving regional travel within Southern Africa and occasional international trips.

Qualifications

• Proven experience in a senior leadership role, preferably in healthcare or similar industries.
• Strong background in P&L management and financial controls.
• Experience engaging with board members and external stakeholders.

Responsibilities

• Define and execute the growth strategy for Southern Africa.
• Manage the Southern Africa P&L effectively.
• Lead enterprise client strategy and oversee sales cycle.

Skills

Strategic thinking

Financial management

Leadership

Market analysis

Client engagement

Education

Relevant degree or executive experience

Job description

About Lyra

Lyra Health is the leading provider of mental health solutions for employers supporting more than 20 million people globally. The company has delivered 13 million sessions of mental health care, published more than 20 peer-reviewed studies, and delivered unmatched outcomes in terms of access, clinical effectiveness and cost efficiency. Extensive peer-reviewed research confirms Lyra's transformative care model helps people recover twice as fast and results in a 26% annual reduction in overall healthcare claims costs.

Lyra is transforming access to life-changing mental health care through Lyra Empower, the only fully integrated, AI-powered platform combining the highest-quality care and technology solutions.

The Managing Director, Lyra Southern Africa is the accountable country/regional head for Lyra's business across Southern Africa, with full responsibility for strategy, commercial growth, clinical and operational performance, and people leadership in the region. The role reports to the President, Lyra International, and serves as the primary interface between Lyra's global leadership and the Southern African market.

The Managing Director, Lyra Southern Africa, leads a growing regional subsidiary providing mental health benefits, employee assistance, and digital health solutions to enterprise and multinational clients across Southern Africa. The role sets and executes the regional strategy, owns the P&L, and ensures that Lyra's global clinical, technology, and operating model are successfully localised and scaled within the Southern African social, economic, and regulatory context.

Working through a multidisciplinary leadership team, the Managing Director is accountable for sustainable revenue and EBITDA growth, outstanding client and member outcomes, and a strong culture aligned with Lyra's global values and governance standards. The role acts as Lyra's senior executive in Southern Africa, engaging regularly with the Board, global leadership, regulators, and key external stakeholders.

Primary location is Johannesburg, with regular presence at Lyra's regional offices and client locations.

The role requires regular domestic and regional travel within Southern Africa, and periodic international travel to global leadership meetings and strategic events, in line with business needs.

A hybrid working model is anticipated, combining in-person engagement with teams, clients, and stakeholders with virtual collaboration across Lyra's global organisation.

Key Responsibilities

• Strategy and growth for Southern Africa
  • Define and execute a multi-year growth strategy for Southern Africa, aligned with Lyra's global strategy and approved by the Board and President, Lyra International, covering South Africa and, where appropriate, priority neighbouring markets.
  • Continuously scan the regional market, competitive landscape, and macro environment to identify growth opportunities, risks, and diversification options across sectors and geographies.
  • Develop and secure approval for annual business plans and budgets for the region, translating them into clear commercial, clinical, and operational priorities for local teams.
• P&L ownership and financial performance
  • Own the Southern Africa P&L, delivering revenue, EBITDA, cash generation, and capital efficiency in line with Board-approved targets and Lyra's global financial standards.
  • Ensure robust financial controls, forecasting, and month‑end processes in partnership with Finance, including resolution of accounting queries and accurate reporting to the Board and global leadership.
• Optimise pricing, cost‑to‑serve, and resource allocation across products, clients, and channels to improve profitability while maintaining clinical quality and client satisfaction.
• Commercial leadership (enterprise clients, partners, channels)
  • Lead enterprise and key‑account strategy for Southern Africa, including retention, and expansion of large blue‑chip and multinational clients, with clear revenue and margin targets.
  • Oversee the full sales cycle (from pipeline generation to negotiation and contracting) and coordinate with global/regional sales teams on cross‑border and global deals.