Director: Financial Control & Operations at University of Fort Hare

Minimum Requirements: 

• An Honour's degree in Accounting, Finance or Business Administration.
• Registration as a Chartered Accountant in South Africa. 
• A Master’s degree in Accounting, Finance or Business Management will be an advantage.
• 10 years' experience in a financial environment (ideally in Higher Education) with at least 5 years’ experience in a management role.
• Proficiency in financial management software, enterprise resource planning (ERP) or similar
• Sound knowledge of regulatory compliance requirements & risk management practices, as well as strong familiarity with Public Service Anti-Corruption Strategy.
• Knowledge of student funding model

Reporting directly to the Chief Financial Officer, you will:

• Give strategic and directional leadership to the functionality of Grants, Financial Aid and Bursaries, Fees and Student Accounts, Financial Analysis and Supply Chain Management and be responsible for shaping the financial strategy, sustainability, and success of these functions.
• Use your expertise of employing sound fiscal management, strategic allocation of resources, and compliance with regulatory standards to ultimately contribute significantly to the university's mission of excellence in education, research, and community engagement.
• Have a strong ability to interpret financial data & make data-driven decisions.
• Have a strong understanding of financial analysis & planning, as it applies to the operations and affairs of a tertiary institution.

KEY PERFORMANCE AREAS:

KPA 1) Govern and Direct the Grants, Financial Aid and Bursaries, Fees and Student Account, Projects, Financial Analysis and SCM functions:  

• Play a key role in contributing towards the overall financial strategic direction of the institution.
• Govern implementation of policies & strategies agreed by Council / Senate.
• Promote the institution’s reputational profile through networks and partnerships.
• Provide oversight, leadership and guidance to units under area of responsibility.
• Prepare reports to the CFO for servicing the MEC, Finance & Procurement Committee and any other Committee/Structure where reporting is required.
• Direct the leadership resources as per structure.
• Monitor achievements of the unit’s strategic plan achievement.

 KPA 2) Medium to Long-term Conceptualisation and Vision:

• Formulate & review strategy aligned with the vision & mission.
• Recommend implementation of structures, resources & systems.
• Collaborate with senior stakeholders in finance strategy design.
• Conduct regular strategic alignment reviews.
• Provide regular feedback to senior stakeholders on plan implementation.

 KPA 3) Strategic Financial Business Planning and Budgeting:

• Conduct long-term financial projections & planning.
• Allocate & re-allocate funds & resources based on portfolio needs & requirements.
• Recommend financial strategies in conjunction with senior stakeholders / Board.
• Prepare annual budget submissions for consideration by the CFO, university structures and approval by Council.
• Exercise prudent budgetary control.
• Approve payments, assets procurement & services in accordance with delegations of authority.
• Monitor cash flow management.
• Report on the implementation of financial & budgetary objectives/plans.

 KPA 4) Organisational Leadership Management:

• Plan leadership talent, succession and development based on the institutional strategy.
• Direct preventative & mitigation strategies for anticipated talent risks.
• Recruit, select & appoint finance management team based on approved Resource Plan.
• Build & direct the leadership team within the portfolio structure.
• Manage performance management aligned with the Performance Management System.
• Direct talent competence, skills & performance levels aligned with strategy.
• Submit succession & development plan progress reports to senior leadership.

 KPA 5) Strategic Relationship Development:

• Participate in key institutional policy and decision-making bodies.
• Develop & foster partnerships with local & international academic institutions.
• Engage with industry/government stakeholders aligned with the business area.
• Participate in related industry forums.

 KPA 6) Financial Control and Operations Leadership:

• Remain abreast of latest developments in Finance legislation & best practice.
• Provide input to the institution's financial strategy & policy.
• Develop financial strategies for additional income streams.
• Plan targeted financial projects.
• Accountable for financial reporting of donor / grants or other funding.
• Accountable for the organisational financial budgeting & planning process.
• Accountable for student fees & accounts.
• Accountable for Projects Finance.
• Accountable for the Student Financial Aid function.
• Accountable for Supply Chain & Logistics function.
• Monitor outstanding debtors / accounts receivable.
• Monitor third-party income streams for the institution.
• Monitor compliance to financial policies, procedures & processes
• Follows-up & resolves complex financial queries.
• Monitor the integrity of financial data
• Report on financial strategies & plan attainment.
• Sign-off on the input to the annual financial statements

 Closing Date: 01 February 2025