Head of Finance

Go2Africa is a leading Africa-based tour operator, trusted by travellers for over 25 years to design journeys that are seamless, personal, and deeply connected to the African continent.

Every journey is crafted by a dedicated Africa Safari Expert who knows the landscape, has walked the trails, stayed in the camps, and built long-standing relationships with the people who bring each experience to life. From first enquiry to returning home, Go2Africa is known for its care, attention to detail, and ability to create safari adventures that stir the soul. This commitment to quality has earned us thousands of five-star reviews and recognition from industry leaders such as Condé Nast Traveler, Travel + Leisure, and the World Travel Awards.

At the heart of it all is our purpose to use travel as a force for good. As part of Nawiri Group, every journey with Go2Africa helps support the vast wilderness ecosystems our guests travel to, and communities who call them home.

Role Summary

The Head of Finance is responsible for leading and managing the full finance function, for one of the Group’s operating brands, providing strategic financial direction, and partnering with the business to drive performance, profitability, and sustainable growth. The role reports into the Group CFO and acts as a key advisor to the relevant Executive leadership team members, ensuring strong financial governance, insight, and commercial decision support, while aligning with Group strategic objectives.

Key Areas of Responsibility

Overseeing the Finance Function & Financial Reporting

• Provide overall leadership and accountability for the finance function, ensuring effective delivery across all finance activities

• Ensuring accuracy and completeness of the monthly accounting records through reviews of the monthly management accounts and reporting packs

• Ensuring monthly reporting deadlines are met by the Financial Manager and Finance Team

• Drive continuous improvement and standardisation of financial reporting processes and controls

• Ensure alignment and compliance with Group reporting requirements, timelines, and accounting policies

Enhancing financial profitability

• Contribute to driving revenue growth and increasing the company’s financial performance

• Improve profit margins through cost control and efficiency initiatives

• Support brand-level performance optimisation in line with Group targets and expectations

Financial Analysis & Strategic Decision Support

• Provide proactive, insight-driven financial analysis to support executive decision-making

• Monthly financial analysis for various Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) linked to strategic objectives

• Monthly reporting to the Group CFO, and executive leadership team providing clear insights, changes in industry trends and areas for improvement

• Provide brand-specific insights while contributing to Group-level financial analysis and performance reviews

• Support financial evaluation of new business opportunities, including acquisitions, partnerships, and expansion initiatives

Financial Planning, Budgeting & Forecasting

• Own and lead the end-to-end financial planning cycle (budgeting, forecasting, and reforecasting)

• Effective annual budgeting supported by the Financial Manager and Group Financial Planning & Analysis (FP&A) Manager

• Monthly review of the company’s performance against budget/targets and quarterly reforecasting in response to any identified changes in budget/forecast inputs

• Monthly cashflow projections for distribution to the Group CFO for consolidation, including the management of key financial ratios

• Ensure alignment of brand budgets and forecasts with Group strategic and financial targets

• Incorporate expansion initiatives and newly acquired businesses into financial plans, forecasts, and reporting frameworks if required

Strategic financial management

• Provide strategic direction to the finance function aligned with company objectives

• Identify new strategic growth areas based on financial insights and industry trends

• Lead cost optimisation discussions with external providers (banks, auditors, merchant providers, consultants etc.

• Ensure all finance processes support customer experience strategic objectives

• Execute brand financial strategy in alignment with the broader Group financial strategy

• Support due diligence, financial modelling, and commercial assessments for acquisitions and expansion opportunities

• Play a key role in the financial integration of new brands or business units into the Group, e.g., systems, processes, reporting, and controls

Treasury Management

• Oversee and optimise treasury operations and cash management strategies

• Managing cash investment strategies to optimise investment income

• Managing foreign currency exposure and risk

Risk Management and compliance

• Take overall accountability for financial governance, risk management, and compliance

• Ensure compliance with regulatory requirements and financial reporting standards

• Identify and manage business risks, including the insurance

• Work with Internal Audit to strengthen controls and mitigate risks

• Ensure compliance with regulatory requirements (Companies Act, Taxation, VAT, POPIA

• Support the CTO Group IT with the management of financial and IT related risks

Stakeholder Management

• Act as the primary finance representative to key internal and external stakeholders

• Manage relationships with auditors, banks, and business partners

• Provide strategic financial input in stakeholder engagements and negotiations

• Engage regularly with Group Finance, including the Group CFO, Head of Finance within other brands and FP&A teams, on performance, risks, and opportunities

Leadership and Team development

• Lead, develop and inspire a high-performing finance team

• Foster a positive, accountable, and performance-driven culture

• Build a strong succession pipeline and capability within the finance team

Commercial & Business Partnering

• Support senior leadership in the business with their strategic objectives through commercial support, e.g., contract reviews, risk assessment, payment facilitation, etc.

• Actively partner with departments to drive business performance and value creation

• Act as a key link between the brand and Group Finance, translating Group requirements into actionable business insights

Supporting Group Impact Initiatives

• Ensure financial processes are implemented to support positive impact initiatives

• Ensure compliance with cross-border regulatory requirements (e.g., SARB approvals)

• Support and report on Group sustainability and impact metrics where required

Qualification

• CA(SA) or CIMA preferred

Experience and knowledge

• 8 - 10 years’ experience in finance with at least 3 – 5 years in a senior leadership role (e.g., Financial Manager, Senior Finance Manager, or similar)

Proven experience in:

• Financial reporting and compliance

• Budgeting, forecasting, and cashflow management

• Strategic finance and business partnering

• Managing teams and leading finance functions

• Multi-country and multi-currency accounting (advantageous)

• Operating within a Group structure or reporting into a central finance function (highly advantageous)

Experience engaging with:

• Executive leadership

• Auditors, banks, and external stakeholders

• Group level stakeholders and reporting structures

Skills & Competencies

• Strong financial reporting and regulatory knowledge

• Budgeting, forecasting, and financial modelling

• Treasury and cashflow management

• Risk management and internal controls

• Strong commercial acumen and business partnering capability

• Deciding and initiating action

• Analysing

• Presenting and communicating

• Planning and organising

• Delivering results and meeting customer expectations

• Ability to work with people

• Adapting and responding to change

• Entrepreneurial and commercial thinking

• Ability to operate effectively in a matrix and Group environment

Go2Africa Core Values

We Care

Without our people, we wouldn’t exist. Simply put: we have a genuine concern for our people, and their well-being. We value the close relationships with our partners to ensure the best experience for our travellers. When it comes to our travellers, every detail, even the very finest, matters. This motivates us to offer only the very best experience, one that they will forever hold in their memories, leaving an indelible mark for life.

Without our Go2Africans, partners and travellers we wouldn’t exist.

We Trust and are Trusted

Our reputation of 20+ years precedes us and we’re among the longest-standing TOs in the country. We place our trust in each other, our partners and our many industry accolades are testament to our delivery, knowledge, and client service. Our travellers trust us for it.

We Go Above and Beyond

We don’t settle, we go further, do better and strive more every day to give our travellers the very best experience.

We are Resilient

We weather any storm.

We are solid, can take the hard knocks, learn from them, and move on.

We Collaborate

We pride ourselves on our partnerships – be that with our travellers, partners or Go2Africans. Our approach is personal, and we take great care of each and every one of our relationships, to ensure we always deliver the highest quality result and share in our joint success.

We Conserve

We care deeply about Africa’s sustainability, and are invested in protecting communities, wildlife, fauna, and flora. We are deeply passionate about Africa. It’s more than a destination, it’s in our heart …it’s our home.

We are Africa

Africa is in our bones, our blood, and our hearts, from the beat of her drum to the wild sounds of the Serengeti. Every trip, experience and memory are one that we curate with care, and we share our love and respect for Africa with everyone who travels with us.

We Are Go2Africa.