Finance Manager – Deputy CFO in African Project Engineering

About the role

This Finance Manager position offers a unique second‑in‑command opportunity to work directly with the CFO in a fast‑moving, project‑focused engineering and operations environment across Africa. You will gain hands‑on exposure to multi‑entity, multi‑currency finance functions while helping to shape finance processes in a growing organisation.

Key responsibilities

• Support the CFO on financial strategy, governance and compliance, acting as deputy when required.
• Own month‑end, quarter‑end and year‑end close processes and produce regional and group reporting.
• Oversee project accounting, revenue recognition, cost tracking, margin analysis and variance reporting in partnership with project teams.
• Drive cash‑flow planning, working‑capital management and improvements to billing cycles and unbilled revenue.
• Manage and mentor a small finance team, building regional finance capability.
• Strengthen financial governance, risk management and internal controls across multiple jurisdictions.
• Enhance financial systems, reporting tools and project accounting processes.
• Act as finance business partner to project, operations and country managers.

Required profile

• CA(SA) qualification with 2‑3 years post‑articles experience in a commercial setting.
• Experience in project‑based industries or other complex environments.
• Exposure to multi‑entity, multi‑currency operations in Africa is a plus.
• Proactive, solutions‑oriented mindset with ability to manage finance functions remotely.

Required skills

• Advanced Excel proficiency.
• Experience with ERP systems such as SAP or Oracle.

What we offer

• Genuine second‑in‑command role with direct CFO exposure.
• Opportunity to build finance structures across a multi‑country African footprint.
• Hands‑on project accounting experience in a dynamic, project‑driven business.
• Agile environment where impact is visible and career growth is fast‑tracked.