HEAD OF FINANCE Hygiene and Cleaning

Job Context

Servest is looking for an experienced and commercially focused Head of Finance to provide strategic financial leadership across the cluster.

This is a Senior Leadership role responsible for driving financial performance, strengthening governance and controls, improving operational efficiency, supporting commercial decision-making and contributing to the overall strategic direction of the business.

The successful candidate will be a strategic business partner to EXCO, MANCO and key operational stakeholders, using financial insight, data and commercial acumen to drive sustainable business growth. This is an opportunity to influence business strategy, drive financial performance, strengthen governance and partner with Senior Leadership to deliver sustainable growth.

Minimum Requirements

• CA(SA) or completed CIMA qualification (essential)
• Project Management certification (PMI/Prince2) – advantageous
• Business Optimisation (Lean Six Sigma) advantageous
• Advanced MS Office, Excel, ERP proficiency
• 10+ years senior financial management experience, including full-cycle accounting
• At least 5 years in a Senior Leadership/Executive finance role
• Experience in Facilities Management (Cleaning and / or Hygiene an advantage)
• Proven commercial governance (pricing, tenders, contract profitability)
• Strong experience in financial risk management, tax, IFRS, and compliance
• Demonstrated experience in Payroll oversight, Audits, and Statutory reporting
• Experience leading cross-functional teams and large improvement projects
• Strong leadership, communication, analytical and problem-solving skills.

Duties & Responsibilities

Strategic Leadership & Planning

• Lead the divisional financial strategy in alignment with Group objectives.
• Develop and oversee 3–5-year financial plans, budgets and forecasts.
• Provide strategic financial insight, scenario modelling and recommendations to EXCO and MANCO.
• Challenge business assumptions and support sound, data-driven decision-making.
• Participate in Cluster MANCO strategy reviews and contribute to the development and updating of company strategy for Board approval.
• Provide financial analysis and guidance on business plans, targets, activities and key business drivers.
• Set budget assumptions and coordinate the annual budget preparation and consolidation process.

Financial Management & Reporting

• Oversee accounting, financial reporting and financial control functions across the cluster.
• Ensure accurate monthly, quarterly and annual reporting to Group Finance.
• Deliver comprehensive management accounts, forecasts and Business Unit board packs.
• Ensure compliance with IFRS, statutory requirements and professional accounting standards.
• Review GL reconciliations, VAT, PAYE, income tax and fixed asset registers.
• Develop and maintain strong, compliant financial systems and processes across all Business Units.

Commercial & Contract Governance

• Partner with Sales on pricing, bid reviews, tender approvals and commercial risk assessments.
• Ensure contract profitability and margin optimisation.
• Monitor and ensure accurate implementation of price escalations.
• Provide financial input into key commercial and contractual decisions.

Cashflow, Banking & Working Capital

• Take full ownership of cashflow forecasting, working capital and liquidity planning.
• Drive improvements in DSO, WIP, collections and debtor performance.
• Oversee banking structures, signatories, reconciliations and fraud prevention controls.
• Partner with Group Treasury on insurance, seasonal cash requirements and foreign exchange matters.

Operational Finance & Control

• Identify and reduce financial leakage, waste and operational inefficiencies.
• Strengthen the control environment across the cluster.
• Support the implementation of integrated financial and operational systems.
• Oversee effective asset management and financial controls.

Tax, Compliance & Audit

• Ensure compliance with all applicable legislation, regulations and financial standards.
• Oversee tax planning and submissions in collaboration with Group Tax.
• Lead internal and external audit processes and drive clean audit outcomes.
• Oversee regulatory and statutory submissions, including CIPC and tax returns.

Project Management

• Sponsor and lead strategic and operational projects across the cluster.
• Apply effective PMO governance, including project scope, budgets, timelines and risk management.
• Partner with Group PMO on strategic projects and business transformation initiatives.
• Support the implementation of technology solutions, including surveillance, access control, fleet management and POS systems.

Business Improvement & Continuous Improvement

• Lead the divisional Continuous Improvement roadmap using Lean methodologies.
• Drive cost optimisation, productivity and operational efficiency initiatives.
• Identify opportunities to automate financial processes, including billing, reconciliations and approvals.
• Deliver monthly Continuous Improvement performance and benefit-realisation reports.

Data, Systems & Digital Transformation

• Strengthen financial data quality, reporting automation and BI dashboards.
• Support ERP enhancements and integration of financial and operational systems.
• Drive RPA and automation initiatives to improve financial accuracy, efficiency and turnaround times.
• Promote the effective use of technology and data to support business decision-making.

People Leadership & Development

• Lead, coach, develop and inspire finance teams across the cluster.
• Build a future-fit finance structure aligned with business strategy.
• Drive performance management, succession planning and talent development.
• Improve financial literacy among Operations and Site Managers.
• Foster a culture aligned with Servest values: CARE.