Financial Director - Africa Operations (Based in Johannesburg)

About Our Firm:
Our client is a dynamic and expanding law firm with a strong presence and established operations across various jurisdictions in Africa. They provide a comprehensive range of legal services to a diverse client base and are committed to excellence, innovation, and fostering a collaborative and high-performing environment.

The Opportunity:
We are seeking a trustworthy and self-starting Financial Director who relishes the opportunity to clean up and optimise financial processes using the latest technology. Based in the Johannesburg office, the FD will be a critical member of the leadership team, responsible for driving financial improvements, ensuring operational efficiency, and providing insightful financial guidance to support the firm's continued growth and success throughout the continent. Reporting to the Senior Partners, this role offers an exciting challenge for a motivated individual eager to make a significant impact through modernization and optimization.
The successful candidate will be instrumental in transforming the financial reporting capabilities, leveraging technology to streamline processes, and ensuring the firm's resources are utilized to their maximum potential. This is a strategic role requiring a hands-on approach, a passion for technology-driven solutions, and the ability to navigate the complexities of operating in multiple African jurisdictions.

Key Responsibilities:
·        Strategic Financial Contribution: Contribute to the firm's strategic discussions by providing financial insights and analysis. Assist in evaluating the financial implications of potential business decisions, market expansion, and new service offerings.
·        Financial Reporting and Analysis: Oversee all aspects of financial reporting for the firm's Africa operations, ensuring accuracy, timeliness, and compliance with relevant accounting standards and regulations in South Africa and the jurisdictions in which the firm operates.
·        Automation and Improvement of Billing Reporting: Lead initiatives to significantly improve and automate the reporting of billings per professional across all offices. Implement systems and processes, leveraging technology, to ensure accurate, timely, and detailed insights into fee earner performance and profitability. This includes identifying and implementing suitable software solutions.
·        Establishment of Reporting and Monitoring Dashboards: Design, develop, and implement key financial and operational dashboards using appropriate tools to provide real-time visibility and insights into the firm's financial health, performance against budget, key performance indicators (KPIs), and operational efficiency.
·        Financial Management and Control: Manage the firm's financial operations, including budgeting, forecasting, accounts payable, accounts receivable, treasury, and tax compliance. Implement and maintain robust internal financial controls and procedures, focusing on technology-enabled solutions for efficiency.
·        Operational Optimisation: Identify opportunities to optimize financial and operational processes across the firm's African offices, actively seeking and implementing technology solutions to improve productivity, reduce manual effort, and enhance efficiency.
·        Resource Utilization: Analyze and monitor the utilization of the firm's financial and operational resources, providing recommendations and implementing technology-driven strategies to ensure their most effective deployment.
·        Cash Flow Management: Proactively manage the firm's cash flow across multiple jurisdictions, optimizing working capital and ensuring adequate liquidity to support operations and strategic initiatives, potentially implementing technology for better forecasting and management.
·        Risk Management: Identify and mitigate financial risks, including currency fluctuations, credit risk, and regulatory compliance risks inherent in operating across diverse African markets, potentially using technology to enhance monitoring and reporting.
·        Team Leadership: Lead and mentor the finance team, fostering a culture of high performance, accuracy, and a proactive approach to adopting new technologies.
·        Stakeholder Management: Build and maintain strong relationships with internal stakeholders (partners, fee earners, support staff) and external stakeholders (banks, auditors, regulatory bodies).
Required Qualifications and Experience:
·        A Bachelor's degree in Accounting, Finance, or a related field is required. A relevant postgraduate qualification is an advantage. CA(SA) - Advantageous
·        Solid experience in financial management and reporting.
·        Demonstrated enthusiasm and aptitude for using technology to improve financial processes and reporting.
·        Experience in managing financial operations, preferably in a multi-jurisdictional environment or with exposure to operations in different African countries.
·        Experience in implementing or significantly improving financial reporting systems.
·        Familiarity with financial software and a willingness to champion the adoption of new technologies.
Required Skills and Attributes:
·        Highly trustworthy and possess impeccable integrity.
·        Proven self-starter with a strong proactive approach and the ability to work independently.
·        A passion for optimizing processes and leveraging technology for efficiency.
·        Analytical and problem-solving skills.
·        Ability to contribute to strategic discussions and provide financial perspectives.
·        Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to effectively interact with stakeholders at all levels.
·        Ability to lead and motivate a team.
·        Understanding of financial regulations and compliance requirements, particularly in South Africa and a willingness to learn about other African jurisdictions.
·        Ability to thrive in a fast-paced, dynamic, and multi-cultural environment.
·        Fluency in English is required; proficiency in other relevant languages is an advantage.
Desirable Attributes:
·        Experience in the professional services sector, ideally a law firm.
·        Experience with financial dashboarding tools.
·        Project management experience related to system implementation.
Location:
This position is based in Johannesburg, South Africa. (although Mauritius is also possible)