Senior Manager – Private Equity (Fund Accounting & Administration)

Apex Group Ltd; Johannesburg; On-site; ZAR 1,200,000 - 1,800,000; Full time

Job summary

Apex Group Ltd seeks a Senior Manager to lead end-to-end Private Equity fund administration for strategic clients, ensuring accuracy and timely delivery.

You will coordinate with Fund Accounting, ManCo/AIFM support and Depositary, mentoring Managers and driving governance and process improvements across the team.

Qualifications

• 8+ years of PE Fund accounting and administration experience.
• Experience preparing/reviewing fund financial statements and reporting under IFRS or relevant GAAP.
• Proven escalation management for complex funds/clients with strong judgement.
• Strong knowledge of LPAs/side letters and translating terms into operations.
• Experience coordinating delivery across multiple service lines and stakeholders.
• Private equity systems exposure (eFront or Allvue). Demonstrated strong Excel skills.

Responsibilities

• Own end-to-end delivery of Private Equity fund administration for one or more strategic clients.
• Coordinate stakeholders across Fund Accounting, ManCo/AIFM support, Depositary.
• Lead and develop VPs/Managers in escalations and client engagement.
• Maintain oversight across the portfolio and ensure timely, accurate outputs.
• Drive process improvements and strengthen review frameworks across the team.
• Support audits, due diligence requests and internal quality reviews.

Skills

Escalation management

Stakeholder coordination

Team leadership

Process improvement

Excel

Communication

Problem solving

Tools

eFront

Allvue

Job description

The Apex Group was established in Bermuda in 2003 and is now one of the world’s largest fund administration and middle office solutions providers.

Our business is unique in its ability to reach globally, service locally and provide cross-jurisdictional services. With our clients at the heart of everything we do, our hard-working team has successfully delivered on an unprecedented growth and transformation journey, and we are now represented by over circa 13,000 employees across 112 offices worldwide.Your career with us should reflect your energy and passion.

That’s why, at Apex Group, we will do more than simply ‘empower’ you. We will work to supercharge your unique skills and experience.

Take the lead and we’ll give you the support you need to be at the top of your game. And we offer you the freedom to be a positive disrupter and turn big ideas into bold, industry-changing realities.

For our business, for clients, and for you

Senior Manager– Private Equity Fund Accounting andAdministration

Job Title : Senior Manager – Private Equity FundAccounting andAdministration

Location : Cape Town, South Africa
Employment type : Permanent
Reporting to : Locally to Head of Private Equity Operations (South Africa) and internationally totheClient Director

Role Summary : The Senior Manager is accountable for end-to-end delivery of Private Equity fund administration for one or more strategic clients. You will provide hands-on operational oversight and senior client engagement, acting as the escalation point for complex delivery, technical and risk matters. Working across Fund Administration and adjacent service lines (e.g.,ManCo/AIFM support, Depositary), you will coordinate stakeholders to deliveraccurate, on-time outputs, strengthen controls, drive process improvement, and coach VPs and Managers.

Key Deliverables (KPIs)

• On-time,accuratedelivery of agreed outputs (NAV/financial packs, capital activity, investor reporting, and other scoped deliverables).
• Own escalations end-to-end (root cause, remediation, and prevention).
• Audit-ready delivery and strong control outcomes (timelyclosure of queries; adherence to governance standards).
• Proactive operational risk management for assigned clients (identify, mitigate, monitor).
• Lead and develop the Manager / Assistant Manager (coaching, delegation, performance, retention).
• Deliver measurable process improvements (reduced defects/rework, shorter cycle times, lower risk).

Key Responsibilities:

Strategic Client Engagement (Hands‑On)

• Own delivery for one or more strategic/complex clients, staying close to day-to-day execution whererequired.
• Build deep knowledge of the client’s strategy, governance, operating model, and priorities.
• Be the client’s trusted operational partner; support Manager / Assistant Manager on communications whileremainingvisibly engaged on key topics.
  

Operational Escalation & Problem Solving

• Primary escalationpointfor complex operational, technical, and delivery issues.
• Lead cross-team resolution across jurisdictions/service lines with clear ownership and deadlines.
• Balance priorities, client impact, and operational risk; drive root-cause fixes (not workarounds).

Cross ‑ Service& Internal Navigation

• Navigate the organisation on behalf of clients across Fund Accounting and Administration and adjacent areas (ManCo/AIFM support, Depositary, Onboarding, Compliance and Risk).
• Align internal teams and messaging; ensure issues are owned and not handled in silos.
• Set clear ways of working and expectations for both clients and internal stakeholders.
  

Technical & Delivery Oversight

• Interpret LPAs/side letters and ensure terms are correctly operationalised (fees, waterfalls, reporting).
• Perform senior reviews of key deliverables and strengthen review frameworks across the team.
• Maintain oversight across the broader portfolio while staying close to delivery detail.
  

Team Leadership & Capability

• Lead,coachand develop VPs/Managers in escalations,prioritisationand senior client engagement.
• Set standards for operational excellence,accountabilityand quality across the team.
  

Risk, Control & Quality

• Own operational risk for assigned clients; ensure adherence to control frameworks,governanceand internal policies.
• Lead responses to audits, due diligencerequestsand internal quality reviews for strategic clients.
  

Continuous Improvement

• Identifyrecurring issues and drive scalable improvements in process,controlsand ways of working.
• Support change initiatives including fund launches, migrations,transitionsand system enhancements.

Required Experience, Qualifications & Skills

• 8+ years’ PE Fund accounting and administration experience, including3+ years at managerial level.
• Experience preparing/reviewing fund financial statements and reporting underIFRS orrelevant GAAP framework, including audit support.
• Proven escalation management for complex funds/clients with strong judgement and prioritisation.
• Strong working knowledge of LPAs/side letters and translating terms into operations (fees, waterfalls, reporting).
• Experience coordinating delivery across multiple service lines and stakeholders.
• Private equity systems exposure preferablyeFrontorAllvue. Demonstrated strong Excelskills andfamiliarity with GL/investor reporting and workflow toolsadvantageous.
• Strong communicationand problem-solving skills; able to drive process improvement.
• Proven people leadership (coaching, performance management, developing teams).
• Detail-oriented and effective under pressure and deadlines.

Disclaimer: Unsolicited CVs sent to Apex (Talent Acquisition Team or Hiring Managers) by recruitment agencies will not be accepted for this position. Apex operates a direct sourcing model and where agency assistance is required, the Talent Acquisition team will engage directly with our exclusive recruitment partners.