Chief Finance and Enablement Officer

Purpose

To provide strategic financial leadership and organisational stewardship that enables SmartStart to deliver its strategy, strengthen its sustainability and increase its impact.

Working closely with the CEO, Board and executive leadership team, the Chief Finance and Enablement Officer will shape and execute SmartStart’s financial strategy; provide trusted insight to inform strategic choices; safeguard the organisation through strong governance, risk management and controls; and ensure that resources are directed towards the areas of greatest strategic value and impact.

Beyond safeguarding financial health, the role will help build the systems, disciplines and enabling infrastructure required for SmartStart’s next phase; strengthening organisational effectiveness, supporting innovation and growth, and ensuring that SmartStart remains financially resilient and equipped to play its evolving role as an ecosystem enabler.

Ultimately, the Chief Finance and Enablement Officer will help ensure that SmartStart’s ambition is matched by the financial strength, organisational capability and disciplined stewardship required to achieve it.

What You Will Help Us Achieve

As part of SmartStart’s executive leadership team, you will:

• Shape financial strategy for impact and sustainability - ensuring that SmartStart’s resources, investments and financial model support both organisational resilience and our long-term strategic ambition.
  
• Enable better strategic decisions - translating financial information, evidence and organisational performance into insight that helps the CEO, Board and executive leadership make bold, informed choices.
  
• Strengthen organisational stewardship - ensuring strong governance, risk management, controls and accountability while protecting the organisation’s assets, reputation and long-term sustainability.
  
• Build the infrastructure for our next phase - strengthening and modernising financial systems, processes and digital tools so that they enable agility, efficiency, transparency and real-time decision-making.
  
• Partner across the organisation - helping leaders understand the financial implications of their choices and creating greater shared accountability for organisational resources and performance.
  
• Strengthen confidence among funders and partners - building trusted relationships and ensuring SmartStart demonstrates the financial stewardship, transparency and institutional strength required to sustain and grow its impact.
  
• Lead and develop high-performing teams - creating an environment of accountability, collaboration, continuous improvement and strong leadership across the functions within the portfolio.
  

The Leader We Are Looking For

• We are looking for more than an exceptional technical finance professional.
  
• We are looking for a strategic leader and organisational partner who understands that strong financial stewardship is not only about protecting an organisation - it is about enabling it to make better decisions, pursue opportunity responsibly and achieve greater impact.
  
• You will bring the judgement and discipline expected of an experienced finance executive, alongside the curiosity, adaptability and collaborative leadership required in an organisation navigating significant growth and transformation.
  
• You will be comfortable operating at the intersection of strategy, finance, governance, people and impact: equally able to engage a Board or funder on long-term sustainability, challenge an executive decision through rigorous financial insight, strengthen organisational systems and controls, and lead teams through change.
  
• Most importantly, you will be motivated by the opportunity to use your expertise in service of something bigger - helping build an organisation and an early learning ecosystem capable of giving every child the power to succeed.
  

Qualifications & Experience

• Senior certificate (NQF4) or equivalent, and a BCom in Accounting, Finance or a related field
  
• Admission to the board as a Chartered Accountant [CA(SA), CIMA, SAICA, or equivalent]
  
• An MBA will be advantageous
  
• Minimum of 15 years' experience in Accounting, including at least 5 years in senior management
  
• Demonstrated experience partnering with an executive team
  
• South African citizen, or valid work permit for South Africa
  

Specific Knowledge 

• In-depth knowledge of relevant financial legislation, governance and risk management practices
  
• Strong understanding of financial planning, budgeting, forecasting and reporting
  
• Strong understanding of financial controls, cash-flow and liquidity management
  
• Excellent knowledge of data analysis and financial management systems
  
• Proficiency in MS Office and financial management software
  
• Understanding of organisational governance, policy conceptualisation, analysis and implementation
  
• Knowledge of strategic planning and organisational performance management
  
• Knowledge of transformation and change management principles
  
• Strong understanding of financial risk, compliance and internal control environments
  
  

Skills and Competencies

• Strong strategic financial leadership and business acumen
  
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills, with an ability to translate financial information into actionable insight
  
• Strong decision-making and judgement
  
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills
  
• Strong leadership, organisational and planning skills
  
• Ability to build collaborative relationships and effectively partner with executive leadership and stakeholders
  
• Ability to lead and develop high-performing teams
  
• Ability to identify opportunities for innovation, process improvement and cost-effective solutions
  
• High level of integrity, dependability and accountability
  
• Strong sense of urgency and results orientation
  
• Ability to work effectively in a diverse, agile and collaborative environment under significant time pressure
  
• Strong attention to detail and ability to manage competing priorities