Technology Chief Financial Officer

JOB PURPOSE

Executive Finance Partner for the Group Technology and Group Human Resources departments (“the Business”). Partner with the Group CTO CIO, Group HR Director, BLT Group CEOs and functional stakeholders to support in setting financial objectives, optimizing cost and value drivers, risk management and business analysis. The role is responsible for accurate, timely execution and management of the Business’ finance function. This entails providing strategic direction to the Business alongside direct responsibility for cost efficiency, cash management, strategic analysis and planning.

RESPONSIBILITIES

Strategic Financial Planning

• Develop, implement, monitor, review and evaluate the Business’ financial strategy
• Establish and maintain strong relationships with the board, shareholders and BLT Group CEOs to identify their needs and seek a full range of business solutions
• Enable the Business to capitalize on new opportunities and build out new capabilities
• Develop and implement a cost-effective strategy for business that simplifies processes
• Creating a financial operating model that is robust, scalable and designed to support business growth
• Treasury and cash management: Lead liquidity management and manage cash flows including detailed cash flow forecasting
• Creating, monitoring and analyzing financial and operational metrics that track performance and provide insights
• Assess capital finance proposals and the financial status of operations projects
• Evaluate and advise on the impact of long-term planning, introduction, of new programs/strategies and regulatory action
• Provide financial information and interpret the implications for business performance and funding needs
• Coordinate the development, implementation and monitoring of accounting and business systems and processes
• Direct the preparation of financial reports summarizing and forecasting the business’s financial position such as the income statement, balance sheet and cash flow statement
• Partner with BLT Group CEOs to formulate and direct financial budgets and forecast
• Manage business information strategy, development and implementation of business systems, streamlining processes to assist with analysis

Finance Operations

• Organise and manage the finance function within Group Technology and Group Human Resources in order to ensure the best execution of accurate financial controls and reporting, including full accounting function, tax planning, submission, compliance and cost accounting
• Provide accurate, complete and understandable financial information to Business Heads, BLT Group CEOs and the executive team
• Financial modelling, scenario planning and cost-benefit analysis
• Business case development for capital projects, new developments or changes to operating models
• Procurement: Implement, monitor and control procurement practices and vendor management, manage relationships with service providers, Business Heads, BLT Group CEOs and other agreed stakeholders across the entire business
• Drive the implementation and provision of sound financial, business intelligence and management services to the business
• Ensure the provision of financial and material resources to support operational strategies
• Business optimisation including cost management, cash flow management and quality/value assessment
• Drive continuous OPEX improvement and ensure optimal allocation of resources
• Analyze activities, products, and services of all cost centres to identify critical cost drivers in collaboration with management
• Find cost solutions whilst using technology and systems in the most efficient way possible
• Consult with service/department managers to plan, control and report on financial activities and the performance of the area
• Manage and report on cost usage that reflects delivery of planned work within agreed parameters
• Generate systems and tools that enable line managers to understand the cost drivers of all activities in the area
• Research, develop, and implement costing models for the business
• Build, run, and execute profitability models and provide required reports for business decisions, business case development and capex projects
• Implement systems and controls for efficient accounting, analysis, reporting and cost optimization

Budget, Forecasting

• Management of the budgeting process and preparation of monthly and annual forecasts to ensure the business meets its financial and service objectives
• Full management of the Business’ annual budgeting process through collaborative efforts alongside BLT Group CEOs
• Prepare and maintain a full cost-to-serve model that optimises delivery, value and correct allocation to Group Subsidiaries
• Maintain full forecasting financial models to provide insights to the Business’ performance against budget, BLT Group subsidiary requirements and future cash and system requirements
• Analyze historical data to motivate future budget requirements.

Corporate Governance

• Monthly shareholder reporting, management accounts and board reports
• Full responsibility for external audit and any other statutory and regulatory reporting
• Ensure credibility of the Business’ finance by providing timely and accurate analysis of budgets, financial trends and forecasts
• Ensure the Business complies with the statutory legislation and corporate governance frameworks
• Accountable for the formulation of policies and procedures in line with relevant legislation and ensure implementation thereof
• Systems and controls – implement and maintain systems, procedures and controls for efficient and accurate accounting, analysis and reporting
• Define policies, procedures and processes to streamline the Business and optimize efficiencies

Governance, Risk Management & Reporting

• Identify potential, current financial and operational risks
• Develop and implement policies to mitigate potential risk
• Report identified risks to relevant stakeholders and action plans thereof
• Deciding on investment strategies by considering cash and liquidity risk, performing risk management by analyzing the Business’s liabilities and investments
• Conduct regular finance reviews to assess performance and implement improvements for future initiatives. · Apply business risk and governance frameworks.

Stakeholder Engagement and Collaboration

• Collaborate with cross-functional teams to gather requirements and define project scopes
• Champion the transition of new ways of work and integration of tech and Business delivery and operating model
• Cultivate strong relationships with key stakeholders, provide regular updates on project status and address concerns promptly
• Recognize outcomes which resulted from effective collaboration between teams
• Collaborate with other leaders to deliver superior customer experience
• Be an effective inspirational leader to facilitate the creation of motivated and accountable, full-service teams who understand and strive to meet the needs of all business stakeholders
• Coach and council operational managers and staff to develop and sustain an environment that fully understands financials

Team Coordination & Managing Complexity

• Lead and mentor Finance teams, fostering a collaborative environment that encourages innovation and accountability
• Coordinate with external providers and partners to ensure alignment on financial projects goals and deliverables. · Build and evolve the financial capability of Delivery teams across the Business
• Makes sense of complex, high quantity, and sometimes contradictory information to effectively solve problems. For example, asks questions to encourage others to think differently and enrich their analyses of complex situations.

Data Collection and Analysis

• Use expertise to act as the Business authority on creating relevant, lucid and effective reports
• Acts as the Business’s authority on strategic planning, established expert on analyzing data tends for use in reports to help guide the decision making
• Provide data insights to assist BLT Group CEOs in understanding their financial models
• Coach BLT Group CEOs with creation of their financial budgets, people budget etc. through data analysis
• Manage and direct stakeholders in making decisions that are financially sound through proper data analysis

Change Management

• Develop and implement change management plans to facilitate smooth transitions during technology rollouts for budgets
• Conduct training sessions for internal teams and customers to ensure proper adoption of financial models and services
• Apply best practices to implement and /or resolve financial issues.

Business Continuity

• Develop and maintain robust disaster recovery and business continuity plans.

Strategic Mindset and Business Acumen

• Sees ahead to future possibilities and translates them into breakthrough strategies, for example, a big-picture thinker; makes frequent, clear references to the Business’ vision, the efforts required to drive strategies forward
• Effectively integrates long-term opportunities and challenges with day-to-day activities
• Applies knowledge of Business and the marketplace to advance the business’s goals, for example, ensures leaders understand and discusses relevant industry changes that may benefit the Business
• Able to formulate financial reports and analysis that translate to business needs and future benefits

Situational Adaptability and Communication

• Adapts approach and demeanor in real time to match the shifting demands of different situations, for example, takes steps to adapt to changing needs, conditions, priorities or opportunities
• Understands the cues that suggest a change in approach is needed; adopts new behaviours accordingly
• Develop and deliver multi-mode communication that convey a clear understanding of the unique needs of different audiences, for example tailors’ communication content and style to the needs of others
• Pay attention to other’s inputs and perspectives, asks questions and summarizes to confirm

Budgeting Oversight and Costing

• Aware of project budget and resources, support in tracking actual against budget and managing the balance of delivery within time, budget, quality constraints
• Acts as the Business’ authority and established experts on costing, budgeting and finance tasks.

Self-Management

• Follow through to ensure that personal quality and productivity standards are consistently and accurately maintained
• Demonstrate consistent application of internal procedures
• Plan and prioritize, demonstrating abilities to manage competing demands
• Demonstrate abilities to anticipate and manage change
• Demonstrate flexibility in balancing achievement of own objectives with abilities to understand and respond to organizational needs

BEHAVIOURAL COMPETENCIES

• Achieves Results
• Manages Complexity
• Ensure Accountability
• Optimises Work Processes
• Plans and Aligns
• Business Insight
• Communicates Effectively
• Drives Results
• Strategic Mindset
• Customer Focus
• Cultivates Innovation

EDUCATION

• Matric
• CA (SA) or CIMA is required
• A postgraduate degree in a relevant field is preferred

EXPERIENCE

• Experience in Technology Project Management, or a similar role, preferably in the Telecommunications or Technology sector
• At least 12 years post-qualifying experience with a minimum of 3 years in a similar role
• Relevant experience in Fintech, ICT as a Business Partner
• Extensive experience and knowledge in financial reporting
• Extensive experience in cost accounting and experience in developing cost allocation models and methodologies (e.g. activity-based costing)
• Extensive experience in project accounting includes understanding IFRS requirements for capitalizing, budget management, financial modelling, scenario analysis and variance reporting
• Competent in engaging with executives, shareholders and board members
• Experience in financial and data analysis with a proven track record of being able to develop practical recommendations from data insights
• Power BI Knowledge
• Oracle System’s Knowledge and experience