Location: South Africa
Description
Allied Talent Partners (ATP), a Three Cairns Group initiative, is a mission-driven, not-for-profit talent marketplace focused on solving the human capital bottlenecks slowing down sustainable development efforts in emerging economies, with an initial focus on Africa. ATP connects vetted, experienced, context-relevant professionals to high-impact opportunities in energy access and sustainable development strengthening local capacity and fuelling economic vitality. We specialize in fixed-term, deliverable-driven engagements from interim leadership and generalist projects to niche technical expertise handling project scoping, talent vetting and matching, contracting, payroll, and compliance so that our clients can focus on impact.
High-Level Overview
The client is a Southern African renewable energy business, headquartered in South Africa, driving sustainable power generation and contributing to Africas clean energy transition by developing, financing, building, and operating utility-scale and private off-take projects in wind, solar, storage, and hybrid technologies. With a proven track record in project delivery and asset management, the business plays a central role in supporting decarbonisation and energy security targets. Recent projects include large-scale wind and solar plants supplying both national utilities and industrial off-takers, underpinned by strong financial performance and a commitment to transformation.
To strengthen its financial management and governance, the business is seeking a Finance Manager to act as the CFOs right hand. This is a senior finance leadership role responsible for consolidating and interpreting group-level financials, ensuring IFRS compliance, managing treasury and tax, and providing strategic insights to guide decision-making. The Finance Manager will also spearhead special projects such as ERP implementation, acquisitions, and other group-level initiatives, ensuring these are delivered effectively while maintaining strong financial governance.
The ideal candidate will be a Chartered Accountant with over 10 years of experience, combining technical expertise in IFRS, tax, treasury, and group reporting with practical exposure to complex structures in the renewable energy or infrastructure sector. They will bring a proven ability to challenge financial inputs, interpret project financing principles, and provide clear strategic insights to senior leadership. Strong leadership, analytical skills, and stakeholder engagement capabilities are essential, alongside the ability to thrive in a fast-paced, high-integrity environment.
Role and Responsibilities
Role: Finance Manager
Direct Report: CFO
Candidates Required: 1
Key Deliverables:
- Financial Planning, Analysis & Reporting
- Prepare and consolidate detailed budgets and forecasts aligned with strategic objectives.
- Challenge and validate inputs from stakeholders, consulting for technical and business advice.
- Review and stress-test financial models to support business and investment decisions.
- Oversee timely preparation of internal and external reports, including monthly, quarterly, and annual statements.
- Conduct variance analysis, identify risks and opportunities, and provide actionable insights.
- Report on investment performance and develop recommendations for decision-makers.
- Coordinate with internal and external auditors in planning and execution of audits.
- Governance, Compliance & Risk
- Develop and maintain financial governance frameworks, policies, and procedures across finance, tax, treasury, reporting, management accounting, supply chain, and insurance.
- Ensure compliance with IFRS, statutory, and regulatory standards.
- Monitor emerging accounting guidance, prepare IFRS interpretations, and produce technical memoranda.
- Support implementation of new IFRS or other relevant frameworks.
- Partner with governance, risk, and compliance teams to identify and mitigate business risks.
- Monitor group and project-level debt covenants.
- Tax & Treasury
- Ensure optimal structuring of the business from a tax and commercial perspective.
- Liaise with Group Tax to ensure compliance with legislation and preparation of tax packs.
- Monitor tax policy changes and ensure group-wide implementation.
- Coordinate with Group Treasury to optimise cash management, financing, and liquidity.
- Lead effective management of cash flow and financial planning.
- Collaboration & Strategic Partnering
- Lead on major initiatives, enabling the CFO to focus on strategic priorities.
- Play a senior role in ERP implementation, acquisitions, and other group-level projects.
- Partner with operational teams, business development, M&A, and senior leadership to deliver financial modelling, scenario planning, and insights that guide strategy and capital allocation.
- Provide tax and accounting advisory across the group, while maintaining strong relationships with auditors, financial institutions, and external advisors.
- Drive standardisation and simplification of processes, reducing duplication and bureaucracy.
- Apply and promote functional best practices and knowledge sharing across the group.
- Leadership & Team Development
- Mentor and support junior finance staff, fostering a culture of accountability and continuous improvement.
- Build capacity in the finance function by embedding best-practice systems and knowledge transfer.
Experience Required:
- 10+ years relevant finance/accounting experience, including completed articles.
- Proven renewable energy experience with strong understanding of project financing.
- Experience in complex group structures; listed entity experience advantageous.
- Proficiency in financial reporting systems and advanced Excel
- BCom (Hons) Finance.
- Chartered Accountant (CA).
- Management Development Programme or equivalent leadership qualification.
- SAICA registration.
- Leadership & Judgment Strong leadership, analytical, and decision-making skills, with the confidence to challenge assumptions and ensure accuracy.
- Communication & Influence Excellent written and verbal communication, able to build trusted relationships across senior stakeholders and multidisciplinary teams.
- Integrity & Standards High ethical standards and integrity, with a commitment to accountability, transparency, and consistently high-quality work.
- Resilience Under Pressure Ability to manage multiple priorities effectively, maintaining composure and delivering results under demanding conditions.
- Independence & Initiative Proactive and self-motivated, able to take ownership and work independently while driving team progress.
- Collaboration & Knowledge Sharing Cooperative and inclusive approach, promoting teamwork, capacity building, and knowledge transfer.
- Adaptability & Agility Flexible and resilient, thriving in dynamic, fast-changing environments.
- Membership of other recognised professional bodies (e.g., CIMA, ACCA, IoDSA, SAIT)
- While no direct reports at present, the role will provide indirect leadership through mentoring, knowledge transfer, and cross-functional influence
Working Arrangement
Location: Centurion head office preferred; open to Cape Town or Port Elizabeth
Language: English
Travel: Limited; occasional site or stakeholder visits
Terms of agreement:
Start Date: ASAP
Contracting Period: Full-time, 12 months extendable to permanent position
