Divisional Financial Executive
JHB
Job Purpose
To lead and provide strategic direction to the business unit, formulating and implementing clear and effective strategic, commercial, operational and business growth strategies and plans which drive long-term sustainable value and drive growth within the business unit which is aligned with company Vision, Mission and Values. Ensures the Business Unit is efficient, effective, quality conscious and profitable in all target business areas and drives collaboration with other operations within company

To provide financial and business leadership through development, implementation and monitoring of financial planning, financial reporting, financial strategies, tax compliance and tax planning strategies aligned with business strategies, by directing an appropriately qualified and experienced team of individuals.

To assist in building corporate governance structures to ensure the organisation participates as a good corporate citizen and nurtures positive relationships inside and outside the organisation.

To contribute constructively at Management Committee and Group level, to create sustainable profitability and find new ways of creating shareholder value

Key Responsibilities:

Financial Operations Management :
o As a member of the operations management team, contribute towards the formulation and implementation of overall business strategies and plans with specific focus on Business Unit revenues and margins which enable the achievement of company’s mission and objectives.
o Craft and implement business and financial strategies, finance policies, practices and operating plans to ensure implementation of long-term business strategy and to enhance financial and operational efficiencies.
o Identify and assess market opportunities and new ideas within the business unit and for collaboration with other business units, lead own team to make a professional assessment and present appropriate recommendations to the MD and Operations management team.
o Develop effective tax planning strategy and approach to tax compliance
o Give operational and financial guidance to business units including the facilitation of key negotiations and acquisitions.
o Responsible for best practices research, recommendations and implementation.
o Determine, develop and align financial management leading practices to the business to ensure competitive edge.
o Provide financial expertise to Industry and Service Line Executives and be involved in appropriate decision making.
o Introduce structures, processes, practices and policies necessary for the financial health of the Business Unit aligned with those of company
o Lead interface with bankers, funders, lawyers and auditors.
o Ensure Operational and Financial efficiencies are enhanced
o Ensure that all stakeholders understand business financial strategy
o Ensure sound reliable financial and management reporting in a timeous, accurate and simple format: monthly, quarterly and annually.
o Create a control and reporting environment consistent with leading public companies.
o Ensure financial and management accounting and reporting is accurate and timeously produced according to predefined deadlines.
o Provide guidance for the preparation of operating budgets for approval.
o Responsible for forecasts and sensitivity analysis for effective strategic planning.
o Develop and implement a dashboard showing financial and non-financial indicators that are key to the business.
o Put controls in place to ensure regular payments by customers of accurate amounts.
o Put controls in place to ensure minimal billing related customer queries.
o Educate and keep the organisation up to date on operations and business trends that affect the group.
o Assess the impact of business decisions on workforce and provide solutions to optimise opportunities and mitigate downsides
o Assess and monitor the progress toward attaining short and long-term business unit objectives.
o Provide the Operation employees with an empowering view of companies mission, vision, values and the key strategic objectives so that these stakeholders are fully aware of the current as well as future opportunities and challenges.
o Coach, support, mentor and challenge subordinates in the application of effective operations practices, provide advice and guidance on complex issues in order to minimise risk and ensure performance. Foster relationships with clients and suppliers to ensure contractual and strategic objectives are met.

Governance, Risk and Business Continuity Management:
o Ensure that appropriate governance systems are in place and in line with future requirements, i.e. policies, procedures and reporting structures.
o Continually assess the competitiveness of all operations programs and practices against the relevant comparable companies, industries and markets.
o Stay up-to-date of new trends and innovations in operations.
o Manage business risk, through continuous internal and external monitoring of business impact, as well as changes in stakeholder needs.
o Lead and guide improvement projects that will increase profits or protect against risks in the function.
o Establish and maintain the highest ethical standards in operations practices.
o Conduct regular audits to ensure that the business unit is fully compliant with all Altron initiatives and take corrective action where necessary

External Parties and Relationship Management:
o Oversee relationship with service providers and ensure all the services are delivered efficiently, evaluate the performance of consultants and report any deviations to the relevant department for any corrective actions.
o Manage relationships with operational Heads and other Group Executives and act as a trusted advisor.
Staff Leadership and Management:
o Manage the effective achievement of business unit objectives through effective leadership and by setting of individual objectives, managing performance, developing and motivating team to maximise effective operational performance.
o Build and manage a high performing team by providing leadership, role clarity, training and career development.
o Ensure open communication channels with staff and implement change management interventions where necessary.
o Provide definition of roles, responsibilities, individual goals and performance objectives for the team.
o Set KPIs and provide regular performance feedback through a well-defined and implemented performance review program within the business unit.
o Encourage knowledge transfer through development and implementation of a knowledge transfer plan and drive continuous improvement philosophy through the knowledge transfer plan.
o Performance manage resources in accordance with financial management policy and legislation where necessary.

ACCOUNTABILITY:
Revenue under management: Above R500M

COMMUNICATIONS WORKING RELATIONSHIPS:

o Heads of Operations and other Business Units
o Head of Business Unit Functions
o Other group executives.

Reasons for Interaction:
o Ensure the effectiveness of the business units
o Direct and lead relevant business unit initiatives
o Advice and drive performance to business unit function heads
o Ensure business unit strategy aligns with and supports the overall Operations and Group strategy

External:
o Consultants and Service Providers
o External advisors/consultants
o Shareholders
Reasons for Interaction:
o Negotiate and approve terms and conditions
o Provide thought leadership
o Drive collaborative partnerships and innovation with company


Educational Qualifications:
o BCom Accounting or B ACC or equivalent B degree
o Minimum qualification required as a Chartered Accountant (SA) qualification or equivalent
o Tax qualification will be advantageous
Professional Qualifications:
o Chartered Accountant (SA)
Years of Experience:
o Ten or more years experience in a combination of an operational and financial role in a medium to large organisation with at least 5 years on a senior/executive/strategic level.
o Knowledge of IFRS and all relevant statutory requirements, regulations and standards are essential.
o Experience in working within an international company with cross boarder operations and exposure to international tax and organisational structuring.
o Proven experience crafting and implementing business and financial strategies, policies, practices and operating plans ensuring implementation of long term business strategy and enhanced financial and operational efficiencies of the organisation.
o Proven experience provision sounds reliable financial and management (financial and non-financial) reporting in a timeous, accurate and simple format: monthly, quarterly and annually.
o Extensive experience of billing environments, implementation of billing systems, development of control environments, customer friendly billing processes and views.
o Functional understanding of payment landscape (customer payments) including retail, mobile, online and other potential payment platforms with the ability to best leverage these platforms to improve customer experience when making payments for Multichoice products.
o Have a comprehensive understanding of internal audit, risk, forensic and compliance functions.
o Have a deep understanding of internal controls and how to test them for effectiveness.
o Have experience in the control of appropriate cash management tools to measure and monitor organisational cash flows and in so doing structure appropriate facilities.
o Provision of operational and financial guidance to all subsidiary, associate and related companies including the facilitation of key negotiations, acquisitions and renewals of content and related rights.
o Can demonstrate the development of a cohesive and motivated finance team, implementing appropriate structures to ensure continuity and succession

o Other Requirements:
o Good Business Acumen
o Corporate Governance
o Auditing processes
o Solution Sales Methodologies
o Relevant Industry/Domain knowledge
o Entrepreneurial
o Assertiveness
o Leadership
o Attention to detail
o Conflict management
o Professionalism
o Presentation
o Entrepreneurial
o Customer relationship management
o Proven ability to maintain the highest level of confidentiality