Strategy Business Analyst at Astron Energy (Pty) Ltd.

Roles & Responsibilities ( but not limited to):

Strategy development and planning support

• Support the Corporate strategy development and periodic refresh, providing actionable strategy recommendations based on analysis
• Support business unit strategy development and implementation, collaborate with cross-functional teams in the development of strategic plans and objectives based on financial analysis and assessments.
• Support the alignment the strategies of the business units, support functions, and external partners with the broader Corporate strategy
• Assist and guide Bus and support functions on development of activation plans and reviews to ensure execution of strategy.
• Assist in the development of medium-term business plans and objectives based on financial analysis and assessments.
• Work with the strategy team and cross functionally to conduct scenario planning and sensitivity analysis to assess the potential outcomes of different strategic decisions and identify associated risks.
• Present findings to senior management and prepare documentation for EXCO and Board of Directors

Financial Modelling and Analysis:

• Develop financial models to support strategic evaluation of corporate development opportunities and risks
• Conduct ROI analysis and approach on key initiatives spend
• Provide analysis on new commercial models
• Conduct scenario analysis to assess potential outcomes of strategic initiatives.
• Collaborate with the Strategy and cross functional teams, leveraging financial analysis to make recommendations that support strategic decision making

Scorecard development and performance monitoring

• Work with senior leadership to develop the corporate scorecard, aligned with strategic objectives and goals
• Ensure alignment of BU and support functions to the corporate scorecard
• Track monthly performance of corporate scorecard, compile and distribute a monthly and annual report to senior management

Strategic Initiatives

• Support the development of comprehensive business cases for proposed strategic initiatives, including financial projections, cost benefit analysis and risk assessment
• Work within the Strategy and Sustainability team to support the execution of strategic initiatives.
• Collaborate with the PMO team and cross functionally to track performance of strategic initiatives and milestones that are aimed at meeting the company ambition – flagging risks and recommending mitigations
• Communicate progress updates and potential roadblocks of strategic initiatives to senior management and stakeholders
• Develop and issue monthly reports on progress, flagging areas of risks and impact on strategy implementation and scorecard performance

EBM support/Input

• Provide strategic input into the Enterprise Business Model (EBM) process, defining impact of strategic activities and projects on the 24 month plan and providing actions to mitigate risks and harness opportunities
• Work collaboratively with various teams to compile the meeting input/presentation for strategic activities review meeting within the EBM process

Business Planning & Reporting

• Provide support in the development of the corporate business plan, aligning to the corporate and BU strategy – identifying strategic drivers and impacts/opportunities
• Provide support to the broader Strategy, Sustainability and Operational Excellence team in the development of the departmental and functional business plans.
• Track the functional scorecard, flagging areas that are lagging and adjustments required to meet business priorities. Prepare detailed reporting and presentations to communicate finding /recommendations   
• Prepare a monthly operating expense report by department and on an aggregate basis for the Strategy, Sustainability and Operational Excellence function to track spend and enable costs control.
• Create detailed documentation, reports, and presentations to communicate findings and recommendations to stakeholders.

Enterprise Risk Management

• Work collaboratively with teams to identify and evaluate potential risks and challenges that may impact the organization's strategic goals and develop risk mitigation strategies.
• Work with Risk Owner to correctly assess risks and opportunities, ensuring correct risk impact and probability, define mitigations and identify appropriate actions and action owners.
• Support the risk and opportunities assessment workshops for strategic initiatives
• Manage the Strategy risk register, working cross functionally with risk owners to ensure mitigation actions are updated, ensuring the ERM system remains updated
• Prepare monthly/quarterly report for GM review, highlighting areas of concern and support required

Customer Value Creation

• Evaluate potential opportunities that would enhance customer value proposition aligned to strategic objectives and goals

Compliance

• Adhere to compliance standard as it relates to handlings of sensitive and confidential data.
• Coordinate the compliance activities within the Strategy, Sustainability and Operational Excellence function
• Track and report the compliance of the (framework) agreement between AE and DTIC and prepare reports for GM and CEO review, flagging areas of concern and risks that need to be mitigated

Continuous Improvement

• Continuously improve analytical techniques and data gathering processes.
• Continuously review and improve processes specific to the function

Collaboration and Communication

• Work collaboratively with various departments and stakeholders in the organisation to understand their needs, ensure alignment, data gathering, analysis, reporting of results and implications thereof
• Work collaboratively across the organization to understand issues that hinder the execution of the corporate strategic and strategic initiatives, escalating as needed. 
• Knowledge and best practice sharing

Professional Qualification and Certifications:

• A bachelor's degree in a relevant field i.e. finance , business administration, or a related discipline. A master’s degree or MBA would be advantageous

Work Experience:

• 10 or more years’ relevant experience, preferably in petro-chemical industry

Knowledge and skills:

• Strong business acumen
• Excellent understanding of financial analysis, modelling and forecasting techniques.
• Astute analytical and critical thinking ability to analyse and interpret complex data.
• Creative mindset and eagerness to discover new areas and contribute to new ways of thinking
• Strong organisational skills and ability to prioritise among competing tasks
• Ability to work independently and collaboratively as part of a strategy team engaging with cross-functional teams.
• Attention to detail and the ability to handle multiple initiatives simultaneously
• Adept at problem-solving and identifying opportunities for growth and improvement.
• Excellent communication and presentation skills to convey findings to stakeholders clearly.
• Knowledge of strategic planning frameworks and methodologies.