Head Finance and Strategy at Welcome2Africa

Job Summary:

• The Head of Finance and Strategy will play a critical role in steering the financial and strategic direction of W2A. This senior leadership position is responsible for establishing and overseeing the finance department, ensuring the organization’s financial health, and leading business development efforts. The ideal candidate should have 7-10 years of progressive experience in finance, with a strong background in financial analysis, forecasting, and strategic planning, preferably with experience in investment banking and CFO roles. Familiarity with accounting software, especially Zoho Books, is essential.

Key Responsibilities:

Strategic Financial Leadership:

• Develop, implement, and oversee all financial operations, including budgeting, forecasting, financial planning, risk management, and reporting.
• Provide expert counsel on financial strategy to the executive team, aligning both short-term and long-term goals with organizational objectives.
• Oversee financial risk management, ensuring compliance with legal and regulatory requirements.

Business Development and Growth:

• Lead commercial insight efforts, identifying growth opportunities to exceed business plan targets and drive profitability.
• Design and implement financial strategies that support the organization’s expansion and business development goals.
• Spearhead initiatives to identify new revenue streams and enhance financial performance.

Financial Analysis and Planning:

• Conduct detailed financial analysis and build advanced financial models to inform decision-making and improve financial outcomes.
• Generate and present reports with key financial metrics, variance analysis, and actionable insights for management.
• Continuously monitor market conditions and make recommendations to optimize pricing strategies and overall financial performance.

Establishment of Policies and Procedures:

• Develop and enforce robust financial policies and procedures to streamline operations, improve efficiency, and ensure compliance with international financial standards.

Strategic Decision Support:

• Lead market research, data mining, and business intelligence activities to support strategic decision-making across the organization.
• Provide actionable insights into operational efficiencies and profitability optimization based on financial forecasts and market trends.

Building and Leading the Finance Department:

• Oversee the creation of a high-performing finance department, managing recruitment, training, and leadership development.
• Foster a collaborative team environment that promotes excellence, accountability, and continuous improvement.

Fundraising and Revenue Generation:

• Lead efforts in securing fundraising and investment opportunities to drive revenue growth.
• Provide data-driven recommendations for investment opportunities and present findings to senior management.

Experience and Education:

• 8-15 years of progressive experience in finance, with a strong focus on financial analysis, forecasting, and strategic planning.
• Experience in investment banking, financial analysis, and financial forecasting is essential.
• Proven leadership experience, ideally as a CFO or in a senior financial management role.
• Bachelor’s or advanced degree in Finance, Economics, Accounting, or a related field.

Technical Skills:

• Proficiency in accounting software such as Zoho Books (required), and other financial tools like QuickBooks, Tableau, Power BI, and advanced Excel.
• Strong analytical and financial modeling skills, with the ability to translate data into actionable insights.

Attributes:

• Exceptional leadership and decision-making abilities, with a strong focus on deadlines and priorities.
• Strategic mindset with resourcefulness and adaptability in a fast-paced environment.
• Excellent communication and collaboration skills, with a proven ability to lead diverse teams.
• Impeccable attention to detail and a commitment to maintaining the highest level of professionalism.