Chief Financial Officer (Strategic Leadership / Financial Planning / Risk Management / Compliance ) – Cape Town, South Africa

Nature & Scope

Our client, a dynamic and innovative global leader in the property and building industry, is seeking a Chief Financial Officer to join their team. Based in the company's global service hub in Cape Town, the CFO will have global responsibility for the financial stewardship of all group companies. This executive will be a key business partner to the CEO and the board, providing financial leadership, strategic direction, and operational excellence. The successful candidate will lead and build out a talented and geographically distributed finance team, with its primary hub in Cape Town and key members located in the international offices. This is a unique opportunity to shape the financial future of a growing global enterprise, including potentially listing at a European or North American stock market in the next 10 years.

Responsibilities

Strategic Leadership & Corporate Finance:

• Partner with the CEO and executive team to formulate and execute the company's long-term strategic plan, providing robust financial analysis and insights.
• Lead capital allocation strategy, M&A activities, due diligence, and integration.
• Oversee capital structure, manage banking relationships, and lead future fundraising or financing initiatives.
• Drive the financial planning of the company by analyzing its performance and risks.

Financial Planning & Analysis (FP&A):

• Direct the global financial planning, budgeting, and forecasting processes to ensure alignment with strategic objectives.
• Provide insightful, data-driven analysis of financial and operational performance, highlighting trends, risks, and opportunities.
• Develop and monitor key performance indicators (KPIs) and financial metrics across all business units and geographies.

Global Operations & Control:

• Lead and manage the global finance and accounting functions, ensuring the team is effective, motivated, and aligned.
• Oversee all accounting operations, including General Ledger, A/R, A/P, Cost Accounting, and Revenue Recognition, ensuring accuracy and timeliness.
• Manage global treasury, cash flow, and working capital to optimize the company's liquidity and financial position.
• Ensure the integrity of financial systems, processes, and internal controls to safeguard company assets and ensure compliance.

Risk Management & Compliance:

• Ensure full compliance with all financial regulations, tax laws, and reporting requirements (IFRS) across all jurisdictions (South Africa, Switzerland, USA, Ukraine).
• Coordinate and manage the external audit process globally.
• Develop and implement effective risk management policies, particularly concerning interest rates, credit, and currency fluctuations (forex).

Team Leadership & Development:

• Provide strong leadership, mentorship, and development to the entire global finance team.
• Foster a culture of high performance, accountability, collaboration, and continuous improvement.
• Effectively manage a multi-cultural and geographically dispersed team, promoting clear communication and a unified sense of purpose.

Qualifications & Experience

Professional Certification: Chartered Accountant (CA(SA)) or equivalent international designation (e.g., CPA, ACCA, CIMA) is mandatory.

Education: An MBA or other relevant postgraduate degree is highly advantageous.

Experience:

• A minimum of 10-15 years of progressive experience in finance, with at least 2-7 years in a senior executive leadership role (CFO, VP Finance, Finance Director or Head of Finance) within a complex, multinational organization.
• Demonstrable experience managing the finance function for a company with significant international operations, particularly in Europe and North America.
• Proven track record of managing and developing high-performing, geographically distributed teams.
• Strong expertise in International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS) is essential; familiarity with US GAAP is a significant plus.
• Experience in the building or property industry is preferred.

Key Competencies

• Strategic Mindset: Ability to see the big picture and provide strategic financial counsel at the executive and board levels.
• Leadership: Exceptional leadership and people management skills with the ability to inspire and guide a diverse team.
• Communication: Outstanding communication and interpersonal skills, capable of effectively presenting complex financial information to various stakeholders.
• Analytical Prowess: Superior analytical and problem-solving skills, with a detail-oriented approach.
• Integrity: Unquestionable personal and professional integrity and a commitment to ethical conduct.
• Adaptability: Thrives in a fast-paced, dynamic, and growth-oriented environment.

Contractual Information

• Permanent
• All suitable candidates are encouraged to apply

If you wish to apply for the position, please send your CV to [email protected].

Please visit www.caglobalint.com for more exciting opportunities.

Sahil Bissoon

Business Development and Recruitment Specialist

CA Global – Finance

CA Global will respond to short-listed candidates only. If you have not had any response in two weeks, please consider your application unsuccessful however your CV will be kept on our database for any other suitable positions.

CA Global Headhunters is an international staffing company with a specific focus on recruitment in Africa. Our extensive, diverse candidate network built up over 10 years comprises the most skilled and experienced candidates. We recruit talent of the highest standards across African sectors, including Mining, Oil & Gas, Engineering, Banking, Finance, Legal, Insurance, Commodities, and Agriculture. As African markets continue to grow and develop, so too does our skill and expertise, ensuring that we deliver the best service to both clients and candidates.

Thanks to our access to global networks and resources, we understand our clients’ cultures, operations, business strategies, and industries. We are always on par with the latest technologies and trends which assist us in sourcing the best talent for clients. Whatever stage of the project lifecycle, we can put forward the right candidates with the right skills.