Financial Manager at Santam Insurance

WHAT WILL YOU DO

• Oversee the financial health and strategic planning of the business, ensuring sound financial management and compliance with South African tax and accounting standards. Reporting directly to the COO, this role requires expertise in managing finances in a platform economy, optimizing unit economics, and ensuring sustainable growth in a competitive environment.

WHAT WILL MAKE YOU SUCCESSFUL IN THE ROLE

• Financial Strategy & Planning    
• Develop and implement financial strategies aligned with growth goals
• Drive financial modeling to support market expansion, new services, and pricing optimization.
• Lead annual budgeting and forecasting processes.
• Revenue Optimization & Cost Management    
• Manage platform-specific revenue streams (e.g., subscription, commission).
• Monitor gross margin, transaction volumes on the platform, Pricing / Fee strategy to maximise profitability, 
• Identify and implement cost-saving opportunities.
• Financial Reporting & Compliance    
• Ensure compliance with South African standards (IFRS) and regulations (SARS, VAT).
• Prepare financial statements for stakeholders.
• Collaborate with auditors to ensure smooth processes.
• Stakeholder Collaboration    
• Partner with Marketing, Operations, Technology and Product teams to optimize spending.
• Present actionable financial insights to executives and investors.
• Risk Management & Governance    
• Develop internal controls to minimize financial risks.
• Oversee cash flow management for liquidity and resilience.
• Mitigate risks from market and regulatory changes.
• Systems & Process Improvement    
• Enhance financial systems and reporting tools for efficiency and scalability.
• Drive automation in financial processes.
• Leadership & Team Development    
• Recruit and develop finance talent.
• Lead and mentor the finance team, fostering a culture of excellence.

QUALIFICATION AND EXPERIENCE

• Bachelor’s degree in Finance, Accounting, or related field (CA(SA) or CFA preferred).
• Minimum of 8+ years of financial management experience, with at least 3 in platform or tech businesses (an advantage)
• Strong understanding of South African tax laws, regulatory frameworks, and IFRS.

SKILLS AND KNOWLEDGE

• Expertise in financial planning, budget management, and decision-making
• Proficiency in financial software (e.g., Xero) and advanced Excel modeling.
• Leadership experience with a track record of building high-performing teams.
•  Adaptability, Strategic thinking, Collaboration
• Understanding of platform economics