Executive Director - Finance and Business Initiatives at University of Pretoria/Universiteit van Pretoria

The Executive Director: Finance and Business Initiatives is appointed by Council and is accountable to both Council and the Vice-Chancellor and Principal to carry out such duties as delegated to them by Council and by the Vice-Chancellor and Principal. The Executive Director: Finance and Business Initiatives will be a member of the University’s Executive team who reports directly to the Vice-Chancellor and Principal` to assist him in his role of leading and managing the University.

As a member of the Executive team, the incumbent must provide leadership for - and support the implementation of the University’s vision, mission and strategic plan, and reflect and enhance the University’s commitment to excellence, relevance, diversity, transformation and sustainability.

The Executive Director: Finance and Business Initiatives also provides leadership and support to ensure that the University realises its vision, mission and strategic objectives through prudent and strategic financial management of the University’s resources. The successful incumbent is also responsible to provide leadership in the strategic planning, decision-making and management of the business initiatives.

It is the prerogative of the Vice-Chancellor and Principal to determine the portfolios of the members of the Executive, and the University reserves the right to change the portfolio responsibilities of Executive Directors from time to time, in line with new strategic priorities and operational requirements.

RESPONSIBILITIES:

The Executive Director-Finance and Business Initiatives main responsibilities will be to:

Strategic Management

• Formulate the University’s financial goals and strategies for approval by the Vice-Chancellor and Principal, as well as for the successful execution and implementation of the strategic initiatives to achieve the University goals and objectives.
• Provide leadership in strategic planning, policy development, forecasting, analysis of resources, budgeting and cash flow management.
• Provide strategic and operational financial direction and guidance to the Vice-Chancellor, Executive Management and Senior Management.
• Provide strategic leadership and advice in the planning, policy development, forecasting, resources analysis, budgeting, cash flow management and financial sustainability of the University.
• Provide strategic leadership in business initiatives in line with the University’s objectives.
• Provide leadership in strategic and operational financial decisions of the business units through which the University executes its business initiatives, and ensure that risk exposure is minimised and mitigated.
• Serve as a strategic advisor to the Vice-Chancellor and Principal, as well as to Executive Management and Senior Management.

Financial and Operational Management

• Provide strategic and operational financial direction and guidance to the Vice-Chancellor and Principal and Executive Management.
• Provide direction and leadership in the preparation of annual budgets, in line with the University’s objectives.
• Provide advice on managing the University’s financial sustainability
• Oversee and report on the budget implementation throughout the year, to achieve business objectives.
• Manage the University’s financial controls and fiduciary stewardship, and ensure that plans are in place to strengthen vulnerable areas.
• Provide leadership in the implementation of policies and procedures to govern financial decision-making, including budgets, expense management, capital spending to ensure the achievement of financial sustainability, and revenue objectives.
• Oversee the management reporting of the University and ensure that the Vice-Chancellor and Principal and Management have access to necessary financial information to make appropriate strategic decisions.
• Oversee the management of the Retirement Funds and the Investment Portfolio of the University.

Managing the University’s business strategies and initiatives

• Direct the analysis and interpretation of financial information and assist in the development of the University’s business operational plans.
• Balance the University’s short term, medium term and long term strategic objectives to maximise the financial performance of the University.
• Direct the forecasting of critical business initiatives milestones and potential obstacles, and evaluate alternate courses of action.
• Provide financial planning strategies for business initiatives and assist in assessing sustainability.

Management of the University’s business units

• Manage and provide strategic financial leadership of the University’s business units through which the University currently executes most of its business activities with national and international private and public sectors, and ensure that the University’s financial risk exposure is minimised and mitigated.

Human Resources Management

• Provide leadership to direct reports and ensure that their teams are capable of executing the University’s goals and objectives.
• Provide mentorship and nurture professional growth and autonomy for direct reports.

MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS FOR APPOINTMENT

• Registration as a Chartered Accountant (South Africa);
• A Masters’ degree in Finance or Accounting;
• Ten(10) years' proven broad managerial experince in Finance, of which at least (5) years should be in a senior or Executive role or at least 5 years in a senior role in the higher education environment
• A minimum of five (5) years of an exceptional track record in financial management and administration;
• A minimum of five (5) years’ experience in fund accounting;
• At least five (5) years’ proven experience in implementing financial systems and processes;
• Strong leadership skills, excellent communication and interpersonal skills, as well computer and information literacy skills;
• Proven ability and skills in liaising and managing internal and external stakeholders;
• Proven experience in managing retirement and investment funds;

ADDED ADVANTAGES

• Doctorate in Accounting or Finance;
• Proven innovative entrepreneurship experience;
• Experience in the management of financial records in main IT systems.

REQUIRED COMPETENCIES (SKILLS, KNOWLEDGE AND BEHAVIOURAL ATTRIBUTES)

• Advanced extensive knowledge of International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS);
• Expert knowledge in developing and interpreting Financial Statements;
• Excellent knowledge of Tertiary Financial Systems;
• Advanced knowledge of the Provisions of the Credit Act;
• Advanced knowledge of the Provisions of the Pension Fund Act;
• Expert knowledge of financial reporting to the Government (Department of Higher Education and Training) and general reporting standards;
• Expert knowledge of investment portfolios and short-term insurance;
• Advanced knowledge of tax laws (income and VAT);
• Advanced knowledge of the Higher Education Act, landscape, policy and regulatory aspects;
• Advanced knowledge of contracts management and expert knowledge in assessing viability of contracts;