Project Management Lead - Financial Integration & Business Operations (in-office position)

Cape Town applicants only

Role Purpose

We are seeking a highly skilled and commercially driven Project Management Lead to oversee the integration of acquired entities into the broader organisation. This role is responsible for leading end-to-end integration delivery across financial, operational, systems, and supporting workstreams, ensuring successful execution of acquisition-led growth strategies.

The role acts as the primary financial lead within integration programmes, ensuring financial due diligence, reporting alignment, controls integration, cost management, and synergy delivery are achieved in line with acquisition objectives.

Key Responsibilities

Project & Integration Leadership

• Lead end-to-end integration projects involving mergers and acquisitions of smaller entities into the wider business structure
• Develop and manage detailed integration plans, timelines, milestones, budgets, risk registers, and governance frameworks
• Coordinate cross-functional teams across Finance, HR, IT, Operations, Legal, and external advisors
• Ensure integration activities align with acquisition business cases and strategic objectives
• Monitor progress, manage risks, resolve issues, and ensure delivery within agreed timelines and budgets
• Drive standardisation of financial, operational, and reporting processes across integrated entities
• Coordinate post-acquisition integration through to operational stabilisation

Financial Integration & Commercial Leadership

• Lead financial integration planning and execution across acquired entities
• Oversee financial due diligence processes and assess financial risks and opportunities
• Integrate financial reporting structures, accounting systems, controls, and governance frameworks
• Monitor cash flow, working capital, cost impacts, and financial performance during integration
• Track synergy opportunities and support delivery of cost savings and operational efficiencies
• Support financial modelling, business case development, investment analysis, and strategic planning
• Ensure compliance with financial controls, governance standards, and reporting requirements
• Monitor post-integration financial performance and recommend corrective actions where required

Stakeholder Management & Leadership

• Act as central coordination point across Finance, HR, IT, Operations, Legal, and external advisors
• Lead and influence cross-functional teams to ensure accountability and delivery
• Build strong relationships with executive leadership, acquired business stakeholders, and external partners
• Facilitate clear communication across all integration workstreams
• Lead and support change management initiatives during organisational transitions

Strategic Execution & Growth Enablement

• Identify and drive realisation of integration synergies and operational efficiencies
• Support development of scalable financial and operational frameworks for future acquisitions
• Evaluate integration outcomes against acquisition business cases
• Contribute to continuous improvement of integration methodologies and processes

Minimum Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in finance, Accounting, Business Management, Project Management, or related field
• Professional certification in Project Management (PMP, PRINCE2, Agile or equivalent) advantageous
• Minimum 5+ years’ experience in financial operations, project management, business integration, or related roles
• Proven experience in mergers, acquisitions, or transformation projects
• Strong financial expertise including budgeting, forecasting, reporting, and financial controls
• Experience managing multi-disciplinary teams and complex projects
• Strong proficiency in project management tools, ERP systems, and reporting platforms

Key Competencies

• Financial governance and commercial acumen
• Integration planning and execution capability
• Risk identification and mitigation
• Stakeholder influence and relationship management
• Strategic thinking and problem solving
• Leadership without formal authority
• High attention to detail and delivery focus

Success Measures

• Successful and timely completion of integration projects
• Financial reporting, controls, and governance alignment across acquired entities
• Delivery of integration synergies and cost efficiencies
• Integration projects delivered within budget and timeline
• Improved operational and financial performance post-integration
• Strong stakeholder satisfaction and alignment across business units