Principal Consultant - Finance and Tax Mergers Acquisitions and Business Development at MTN

JOB DESCRIPTION

• The Principal Consultant: Finance and Tax is accountable for overseeing and managing the financial and tax aspects of M&A and BD transactions within the organisation.
• This role is critical in ensuring that M&A deals and BD opportunities are executed efficiently, strategically, and in compliance with relevant regulations and business objectives.

RESPONSIBILITIES

• The Principal Consultant: Finance and Tax will be accountable to achieve the following objectives:

Strategy and Implementation

• Lead the approach and focus on identified M&A \ BD initiatives through tax and financial requirements and future growth strategic themes in connectivity and platform businesses.
• Ensure the finance and tax protocols required for execution of the M&A lifecycle, supporting frameworks, principles and processes in executing the strategy and transactions are in place.
• Determine the optimal financing strategy for M&A transactions, considering available capital, debt capacity, and potential impact on the company's financial stability.
• Provide expertise and stewardship to the delivery teams in planning, managing and executing on M&A and BD operations and initiatives.
• Define performance metrics and measurements which will be applied to assess the effectiveness of and requirements of finance and tax protocols for the execution of M&A and BD. Monitoring, reporting and advising on corrective action planning.

Operational Delivery

• Lead and oversee due diligence efforts to assess the financial health, tax obligations, legal liabilities, and risks associated with target initiatives, opportunities and companies.
• Collaborate with valuation experts to determine the value of target companies, considering financial, tax, and market factors.
• Design tax-efficient structures for M&A deals, considering factors such as the type of transaction (asset or stock purchase), tax jurisdictions, and potential benefits from synergies.
• Develop financial models and business cases to project the financial performance of the combined entity, assess the potential impact on financial statements, risk of overexposure and estimate return on investment against various timeframes.
• Collaborate with legal and business teams to structure deals, negotiate terms, and draft agreements that address financial and tax considerations.
• Leverage off inputs provided by industry experts across departments and functions to ensure cohesive and well-rounded deliverables.
• Ensure compliance with regulatory requirements, including antitrust, competition, and industry-specific regulations that may affect M&A transactions.
• Work with HR teams to manage employee-related financial and tax matters, including compensation, benefits, and retirement plans.
• Handle cross-border M&A and Business Development transactions by navigating international tax laws, transfer pricing regulations, and compliance with local tax jurisdictions.
• Participate in negotiation processes for complex contracts and agreements with target companies to achieve favourable terms and ensure successful deal closures for the business.
• Identify and manage financial and tax-related risks associated with M&A transactions and develop contingency plans to mitigate these risks.
• Oversee the integration of financial and tax operations post-acquisition, ensuring smooth transitions and capturing anticipated synergies.
• Communicate with internal and external stakeholders, including executives, shareholders, regulatory bodies, and employees, regarding the financial and tax aspects of M&A activities.
• Table reports and recommendations to the executive leadership team and board of directors, conveying complex financial and strategic information in a clear and concise manner.

Budgeting and Reporting

• Oversee operational and initiative budgets in line with the set DOAs, business objectives and facilitate forecasting. 
• Drive initiatives that will maximise investments with defined value tracking metrics, in line with a cost operating strategy stemming from the business drivers.
• Regularly report on business development activities, sales performance, and market insights to senior management, providing data-driven recommendations.

Staff and Leadership Management

• Develop a culture of strong collaboration and effective team working.
• Ensure open communication channels with staff and implement change management interventions where necessary.
• Encourage knowledge transfer through the implementation of a knowledge transfer plan and drive continuous improvement philosophy.
• Promote an ‘MTN centric’ and ‘partnership approach’ to develop strong relationships with other working groups and ensure adherence to Group governance.

Key Deliverables

• Finance and Tax Due Diligence Reports 
• Financial Models
• Performance Metrics and Measurements

Role Dependencies

• Active support from the Executive M&A \BD
• Deep understanding of the MTN business strategy 
• Understanding of the industry and market trends
• Alignment of Group, Markets and Platform business strategy initiatives

QUALIFICATIONS

Education:

• Minimum of 4-year tertiary degree in Finance/Accounting.
• CA (SA) or equivalent is required.
• MBA or equivalent Master’s qualification is advantageous.
• Relevant certification / accreditation / membership with professional body as required for role is advantageous.
• Understanding of tax structuring for inter and intra-border initiatives.
• Fluent in English.

Experience:

• 5 years senior management experience with at least 3 years in area of expertise and/or the relevant sector.
• Experience working in a global/multinational enterprise with a good understanding of emerging markets is advantageous.
• Worked across diverse cultures and geographies.
• Experience working in a medium to large organisation.
• Proven track record of successful originating and execution of M&A and BD activities.
• Strong understanding of market dynamics, industry trends, and customer behaviour.
• Effective communication and presentation skills to articulate complex concepts to diverse audiences.
• Demonstrated ability to lead and work collaboratively in cross-functional teams.