IT Finance: Risk & Governance Manager at Santam Insurance

Purpose of the role

The Santam environment is a complex one and this role extends beyond Santam to both our subsidiaries and Sanlam. The incumbent will play a key role in the financial planning, budgeting and reporting of the Group IT costs and budgets. This will involve IT risk management and Commercial IT contract negotiations.  The role requires a person who can interact at many levels from Junior management to Exco members, from IT suppliers to internal Group divisions. The ability to build strong working business relationships is key. This role will report to the Santam Group CIO and will be a member of the BITS Manco.

What you will do:

The incumbent will be responsible for the day to day operations of the Business Information and Technology Services (BITS) Finance department. Managing a compliment of 8 fulltime staff and a budget above R 600 Million across 25 different cost centres.

BITS Finance Build/update a budget and billing models for specific IT service (e.g. Robotics, Desktop, Guidewire Platform, etc.) by:

•  Calculating the total cost of IT service
• Determine the  appropriate cost drivers
•  Agree to model with business and obtain recovery cost centres
•  Hand over model to IT Finance person accountable for recovery
• Reconcile Group IT monthly invoices for accuracy and validate against budget and supporting documentation.
• Review, validate and approve the GTI annual budget
• Assist all BITS Manco, BCM’s and Development managers with the commercial and service agreements of software purchases for multiple business areas within the group network.
• Assist BITS with preparation and review of all IT-related business cases, including financial modelling
• Provide in-depth data and analytical recommendations
• Translate financial information into non-financial IT stakeholders

IT Risk Management:

• Ensures the collection of technical and operational risk data in IT, including internal risk events and key risk indicators, take place.
• Facilitates risk and controls self-assessment process to determine residual risk exposures.
• Oversees the risks related to IT assets and contracts
• Leads IT management as it relates to ad-hoc operational risk projects
• Drive follow-up on mitigation status of IT Audit findings

What will make you successful in the role:

• IT Related Degree with accounting as a subject  or a Financial Related Degree with Accounting as a major
• Minimum of 8 years’ experience in a similar role within Finance or IT or Risk and Governance
• Proven track record of operating at a senior level and leading and managing a team
• Good business acumen
• Proven track record of maintaining a strong analytical focus

 Knowledge:

• Technical accounting and reporting skills - regulatory requirements, taxation and VAT, budgeting, planning and forecasting
• Insurance knowledge would be a strong advantage
• In depth understanding of IT infrastructure, systems and products

Skills:

• Strong project management skills
• A solid understanding of IT operations
• Strong cost accounting ability
• Stakeholder management and influencing skills
• Ability to work in a complex and dynamic environment
• Capacity to operate under extreme pressure
• Ability to drive decisions and work independently
• Strong research and learning orientation
• Ability to communicate complex concepts into laymens terms
• Produce creative solutions to business problems