Chief Financial Officer (Remote - Preferably residing in Johannesburg / Cape Town / Bloemfontein)

Minimum Requirements: - Professional qualification: CA(SA) - 8 - 12 Years experience in a financial management role: education sector exposure advantageous but not essential - A commercial track record beyond accounting or audit - Demonstrated multi-entity consolidation and ownership of an external audit - Demonstrated cash and working-capital management in a constrained, turnaround or high-growth-strain setting - Demonstrated financial modelling, budgeting, and reforecasting owned personally - Demonstrated hands-on leadership of a lean Finance team - Willing to commute to Head Office regularly and occasional travel to campuses across the country - Preference for Johannesburg, Bloemfontein or Cape Town -based candidates Responsibilities: - Lead the Finance Department and ensure efficient financial operations of all business units in the portfolio - Oversee accounting, budgeting, cash flow management, audit, payroll, billing, and financial compliance in accordance with financial operational requirements - Manage and oversee the financial consolidation process across all business units - Present financial statements that are accurate, complete, and timely, in full compliance with IFRS and applicable South African regulatory requirements - Ensure robust internal controls and risk management practices are implemented and standardised across the Group - Provide oversight and recommendations in terms of capital raising requirements - Contribute to assessing the financial viability of potential mergers and acquisitions - Responsible for reporting to Exco and the Board on the financial activities of the business - Translate strategic initiatives into financial models and execution plans - Support the CEO and Chief Strategy Officer in: Growth planning, new school rollouts/expansion and pricing and revenue strategies - Develop financial models to support decision-making, expansion, and scenario planning - Conduct ratio analysis to provide more comprehensive financial oversight and support informed decision-making - Analyse profitability, cost structures, and operational efficiencies across business units - Present and provide clear financial insights to guide decision-making of the Executive team and Board - Prepare monthly, quarterly, and annual management reports, including variance analysis and performance dashboards on both a division basis and a consolidated basis - Translate strategic initiatives into financial models and execution plans - Support the CEO and Chief Strategy Officer in: Growth planning, new school rollouts/expansion and pricing and revenue strategies - Develop financial models to support decision-making, expansion, and scenario planning - Conduct ratio analysis to provide more comprehensive financial oversight and support informed decision-making - Analyse profitability, cost structures, and operational efficiencies across business units - Present and provide clear financial insights to guide decision-making of the Executive team and Board - Prepare monthly, quarterly, and annual management reports, including variance analysis and performance dashboards on both a division basis and a consolidated basis - Own the 13-week rolling cash forecast at group and entity level, maintained weekly - Own banking relationships, bank mandates, and the payment authorisation matrix - Develop funding solutions for new projects and the expansion of existing schools - Perform financial due diligence for new school acquisitions, greenfield developments, or partnerships - Evaluate Capex requirements, cost projections, fee structures, and projected returns for new schools - Assess affordability and sustainability of expansion plans using long term financial modelling and recommend the most optimal financing options - Collaborate with other departments to ensure expansion decisions are aligned with strategic goals - Ensure compliance with South African regulations and expected governance standards including tax/return requirements - Manage annual audits and liaise with external Auditors - Implement processes to mitigate financial risk, including debt management, covenant monitoring, and insurance oversight - Participate in any due diligence processes and close out finance related findings including updated finance policies, standard operating procedures and training - Provide financial support and strategic insights to the Executive team and Board - Communicate financial performance and key risks in a clear, accessible manner to non-financial Stakeholders - Engage with potential Lenders and/or Investors such as banks, funders, and financial institutions when required TO APPLY: - Only if you meet the minimum job requirements and experience as mentioned above, you may submit a detailed updated CV. - Please Apply Online and complete your registration via our website to enable and protect you as a candidate and to accept the new POPIA terms and conditions. - This will then create your permanent profile with which you can apply for all jobs as advertised by AJ PERSONNEL. - However, you may remove your profile from AJ PERSONNEL when you are no longer in the job market. - Please take note that the applicants who do not adhere to the minimum requirements will not be considered for the respective position. - Note our clients may expire jobs at their own discretion. - AJ PERSONNEL will only respond to shortlisted candidates. - If you have not received a response within two (2) weeks from applying, your application was then unsuccessful for that specific position, however your profile remains on our system for future opportunities.