Lead - Finance Operations Manager

A leading organisation in Johannesburg is seeking a Finance Operations Lead to join their EMEA Finance Operations team. This pivotal role offers you the chance to shape financial processes across multiple markets, ensuring accuracy, compliance, and operational excellence. As a qualified Chartered Accountant, your expertise will be instrumental in driving continuous improvement and embedding finance into key business initiatives. You will have the opportunity to collaborate with commercial, sales, and product teams, providing insightful analysis that influences strategic decisions. The position not only allows you to lead the full Record-to-Report (R2R) function but also empowers you to develop a high-performing team and play a crucial part in regional projects. If you are looking for a role where your financial acumen and leadership skills can make a tangible impact while enjoying flexible working opportunities and ongoing professional development, this is the perfect next step in your career.

• Take ownership of end-to-end R2R processes, ensuring accurate month-end close activities and statutory submissions across diverse EMEA markets.
• Collaborate closely with cross-functional teams, embedding finance into commercial strategies and supporting business growth through robust financial insights.
• Lead and nurture a talented finance team, fostering an environment of accountability, collaboration, and continuous learning while driving process optimisation.

What you'll do:

As Finance Operations Lead based in Johannesburg, you will play an integral role in shaping the financial landscape of the EMEA region. Your day-to-day responsibilities will involve overseeing critical month-end close activities, collaborating with various business units to embed finance into core strategies, and ensuring all statutory requirements are met efficiently. You will work hand-in-hand with local Financial Controllers to deliver accurate budgeting and forecasting while managing a dedicated team committed to excellence. By leading audits and driving process improvements, you will help maintain strong control environments. Your ability to provide insightful analysis will empower senior leaders to make informed decisions that drive business success. This role is ideal for someone who thrives on building relationships across functions, enjoys mentoring others towards shared goals, and is passionate about enhancing operational effectiveness through continuous improvement.

• Oversee the complete Record-to-Report (R2R) process, ensuring all month-end close activities are completed accurately and on time for internal reporting and statutory submissions.
• Work collaboratively with commercial, sales, and product teams to integrate financial perspectives into business initiatives and ensure data-driven decision-making.
• Partner with local Financial Controllers to deliver comprehensive budgeting, forecasting, and statutory accounting processes that comply with local GAAP and internal policies.
• Manage, mentor, and develop a high-performing finance operations team by promoting a culture of accountability, growth, and co-operation.
• Drive involvement in strategic projects and regional initiatives that support broader organisational goals within the EMEA region.
• Lead both internal and external audits across multiple countries by ensuring clear documentation, effective risk management practices, and audit readiness at all times.
• Conduct regular balance sheet reviews to identify areas for improvement and support ongoing efforts to enhance control frameworks and operational efficiency.
• Provide senior stakeholders with clear, insightful financial analysis on key trends, risks, and opportunities to inform strategic planning.
• Champion continuous process improvement initiatives aimed at optimising finance operations while maintaining compliance standards.
• Support the implementation of robust financial controls throughout the region to safeguard assets and ensure regulatory adherence.

What you bring:

To excel as Finance Operations Lead in this organisation, you will bring extensive experience as a Chartered Accountant along with deep knowledge of financial operations spanning multiple regions. Your background should include hands-on management of R2R cycles as well as exposure to statutory accounting practices relevant to EMEA markets. You will be adept at building collaborative relationships across departments-especially with commercial teams-and possess excellent interpersonal skills that enable you to communicate complex information clearly. Your analytical mindset will allow you to identify trends and risks proactively while your commitment to nurturing talent ensures your team remains motivated and engaged. Experience handling audits is essential as is your ability to implement effective controls that safeguard organisational interests. Above all else, your passion for continuous improvement coupled with your supportive approach will set you apart as an invaluable member of the leadership team.

• Hold a recognised Chartered Accountant qualification (CA) with substantial post-qualification experience in finance operations or related fields.
• Demonstrated experience leading and developing teams within regional or multi-country environments where collaboration is essential.
• Comprehensive understanding of the full Record-to-Report (R2R) cycle including statutory reporting requirements across EMEA markets.
• Exceptional communication skills enabling effective engagement with stakeholders from commercial, sales, product teams as well as senior leadership.
• Proven analytical abilities combined with a proactive approach towards identifying opportunities for process optimisation within finance operations.
• Experience managing or supporting both internal and external audits while implementing robust financial controls across complex organisations.
• Comfortable operating within matrixed structures where influencing skills are required at all levels of the organisation.
• Track record of delivering results under tight deadlines without compromising accuracy or compliance standards.
• Ability to foster an inclusive team environment that values knowledge sharing, dependability, and mutual support among colleagues.