Specialist: National Property Processes at Vodacom

Position Function:

• The Specialist: National Property Processes will be a responsible for designing, implementing and managing integrational processes which increases the efficiency and accuracy of the integration between Real Estate financial operations, National Property management operations and Regional property operations, in accordance with defined operating procedures, policies, SOX, compliance, IFRS16 and business partner service level agreements, for the financial reporting on leases and rentals as well as electricity accruals, financial performance reporting, SOX, Compliance and IFRS16 validation of all lease Agreements loaded in the SAP RE module. The individual will enjoy problem solving and striving to improve the metric of the operational process. A culture of continuous process improvement will be essential to ensure excellent operational performance. This role is accountable for the quality & timely delivery of the daily/monthly operations that include, but not limited to:
• Ensure stability of expenses relating to accrual processes as reported in the statement of assets and liabilities.
• Identification of operational inefficiencies and designing processes to counteract these inefficiencies'.
• Completeness and accuracy of accounting and reporting related to RE contract management, electricity & other utility expenses and recoveries. Support all relevant stakeholders with Lease and Rental as well as electricity Accrual queries, SOX, Compliance and IFRS16 queries.
• Identify opportunities to optimize National Property management processes and efficiency
• Resolution of escalated queries relating to electricity costs and payments for sites
• Maintain relationships with the municipalities and utility management companies
• Manage the relationship with the Vodafone Finance Shared Services Centre (FSSC) performing activities on behalf of the Vodacom Group
• Establish a close relationship with the other teams across Finance Operations, Finance Business Partners, Facilities, Franchise & Dealer management teams, Retail Trade Partners/Dealers/Franchisees, Technology team, Regional and National Property teams

This role will be responsible for

• Design, implementation and management of all processes relating to Leases and Rentals as well as Electricity Accruals as well as the accuracy and completeness thereof.
• Design, implementation and management of all processes relating to SOX, Compliance and IFRS16 validation of Lease Rental Agreements within the SAP RE Module as well as the accuracy and completeness thereof.
• Process alignment, optimisation and driving efficiencies (digital strategies) within Lease & Electricity management to ensure achieving World Class Operational and Digitalization goals;
• Customer service & managing queries from external stakeholders including property owners, franchisees, trade partners, etc.
• Identify and implement initiatives to drive to achieve goals identified per the National Property Management strategies
• Ad-hoc activities and projects as identified by the EHOD: National Property Management and Network Operations Officer
• Preparation of certification of transactions and balances to confirm that financial reporting is a fair representation of the financial performance and position specific to lease accounting and other operational expenses more specifically the Lease and rentals as well as electricity accruals as reported in the statement of assets and liabilities
• Achievements will demonstrate an expertise with sub processes, a capacity to work well with people and enjoys solving issues and striving for best practice.
• The successful candidate will be a member of the wider National Property Management, Technology and Real Estate teams. Excellent communication skills and to be able to interact with people from different environments, internal to Vodacom as well as external stakeholders, e.g. Vodacom Business units, Vodacom regional teams, Vendors/Landlords/Property owners, Vodacom Subsidiaries and other Vodafone Markets.

Your Responsibilities Will Entail

• Performance management
• Provide regular updates on performance of the sub-process(es)
• Follow the escalation path and non-surprise management philosophy
• Identify promote and implement initiatives to improve sub processes
• Support the team in resolving operational process and control issues
• Perform call over sessions with team members as required by the Performance Dialogue process and provide call over minutes for review by the EHOD
• Compliance and control
• Establishing adherence to the relevant Group policies;
• Ensure compliance with SOX controls
• Ensure that all Vodacom and Vodafone compliance requirements are met:
• Work with other departments to ensure all cross department issues are resolved.

Your Responsibilities Will Entail

• Proactive design of processes to increase efficiency within the National Property Management business area.
• Ensure efficient and accurate communication between Financial Operations, National property Management and Regional Property processes.
• Manage, improve and develop relationships with internal & external stakeholders
• To proactively assist business partners in decision making
• Monitoring of the key performance indicators
• Monitor sub-processes related to rental & utility accruals and payments
• Reporting of regional and National Financial Performance against targets
• Establish and manage relationships with the members of the FSSC team
• Manage the finance month end in accordance with the financial calendar and activities performed by FSSC with regard to all lease rental and electricity accruals
• Work with other team members and key stakeholders across all business units to ensure all National Property Management issues are resolved in a timely manner.
• Perform monthly variance analysis and reports and provide valid reasons on variances identified.
• Perform adhoc analysis as required by management
• Perform and assist with adhoc projects as required
• Manage, improve and develop relationships with internal & external key stakeholders
• Ensure adherence to company policy, IFRS16, internal controls, SOX , Internal & External Audit
• To compile, present and report financial information accurately and timeously
• Providing support to internal and external partners, to enable query resolution and informed decision-making.
• Compiling and submitting of statutory packs for reporting at interim and final year-end.
• Ensuring Vendors are paid on time.
• Cash flow forecasting, reporting and variance analysis.
• Exceptional query resolution
• Leadership (people and stakeholders)
• Contribute to achieving World Class division related processes
• Strive to achieve and exceed financial objectives set for the year
• Maintain a strong control environment, ensuring compliance to SOX and all relevant Group policies
• Establish and manage relationships with the members of the FSSC team
• Establish relationships with the Finance Operations, Finance Business Partners, Facilities, Franchise & Dealer management teams, Retail Trade Partners/Dealers/Franchisees, Technology team, Regional and National Property teams, etc.
• As a key member of the wider leadership team for National Property Management ensure your involvement in driving the successes of the process

Essential
The ideal candidate will have :

• Matric
• Professional Degree
• Experience in Designing and implementing processes that solve operational inefficiencies
• Working IFRS16 knowledge
• Microsoft Office (Excel essential)
• Analytical skills
• Communication skills
• Query Management
• Time Management
• Extensive computational skills
• Experience with the SAP RE module