Finance and Strategy Lead at Welcome2Africa

Job Summary:

The Head of Finance and Strategy is a key leadership role responsible for shaping and driving the financial vision and strategic growth of the organization. This role encompasses the establishment and management of the finance department from the ground up, with a strong focus on business development, accurate financial management, detailed forecasting, and strategic planning to maximize profitability while mitigating risks. The ideal candidate will have a strong background in investment banking and extensive knowledge of financial software, particularly Zoho Books.

Key Responsibilities:

Strategic Financial Leadership:

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• Lead and manage all financial operations, including business planning, budgeting, forecasting, risk management, and contract negotiations.
  
• Provide expert guidance on both long-term and short-term financial strategies, ensuring alignment with organizational goals.
  
• Develop actionable financial plans that support sustainable growth and optimize resource allocation.
  

Business Development and Growth:

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• Deliver commercial insight and leadership, driving the company beyond its business plan objectives.
  
• Identify and capitalize on opportunities for financial growth and innovation within the organization.
  

Financial Analysis and Planning:

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• Perform in-depth financial analysis, building advanced financial models to aid decision-making and future planning.
  
• Regularly generate financial reports, including key performance metrics, variance analysis, and insights to inform leadership decisions.
  

Policy Development and Compliance:

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• Establish and enforce comprehensive financial policies and procedures to enhance efficiency and ensure regulatory compliance.
  
• Regularly review and update financial practices to meet evolving business and industry standards.
  

Strategic Decision Support:

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• Analyze market trends, financial forecasts, and operational data to provide strategic recommendations that improve performance and profitability.
  
• Conduct research and business intelligence activities, offering data-driven insights for pricing strategies, incentive structures, and other key business initiatives.
  

Building and Leading the Finance Department:

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• Establish and manage the finance department, recruiting and developing a high-performing, cohesive team.
  
• Drive a culture of accountability, continuous improvement, and operational excellence within the finance function.
  

Fundraising and Investment Strategy:

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• Support fundraising efforts, providing detailed financial analysis and strategic recommendations for revenue generation.
  
• Evaluate investment opportunities and partnerships, presenting well-researched findings to executive leadership for informed decision-making.
  

Job Requirements:

Experience and Education:

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• A minimum of 5+ years of progressive experience in finance, with a strong focus on strategic planning, analysis, and business development.
  
• Advanced degree in Finance, Economics, Accounting, or a related field.
  
• Experience in investment banking is critical to the role.
  

Technical Skills:

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• Expertise in financial software such as Zoho Books, QuickBooks, Tableau, and Power BI.
  
• Advanced proficiency in Microsoft Excel and PowerPoint for financial modeling and presentations.
  

Attributes:

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• Strong strategic thinking and decision-making abilities, focusing on prioritization and meeting deadlines.
  
• Highly adaptable and resourceful in a fast-paced, evolving environment.
  
• Impeccable attention to detail, professionalism, and interpersonal skills, with the ability to lead and collaborate across diverse teams.