Finance Director, Africa

Agency :

Havas Africa

Job Description :

The Finance Director, Africa is responsible for safeguarding the financial health of the organization across the African region. As the senior-most finance leader, the Finance Director oversees all regional financial activities, ensuring strong governance, performance management, and strategic financial planning.
Uniquely, the Finance Director operates in a hybrid regional–operational model: with no Finance leaders in any of the eight markets, the Finance Director works directly and closely with local finance teams, providing hands-on oversight while maintaining strategic visibility across the region.
This requires a leader who is highly detail-oriented, able to manage multiple markets simultaneously, and capable of stepping back to see the broader strategic picture. Strong communication, organization, and multitasking skills are essential.

Key Responsibilities

1. Regional Strategy & Financial Leadership

• Design, implement, and supervise the execution of the regional finance strategy, including Working Capital, invoicing processes, and risk management.
• Define key regional financial indicators and manage regional expense policies and procedures.
• Collaborate with Regional and Global Finance to ensure alignment with global standards and business objectives.

2. Direct Operational Oversight Across Eight Markets

• Hands-on approach with each of the eight local finance teams
• Provide close operational supervision, ensuring compliance, accuracy, and strong internal controls at market level.
• Support day-to-day financial operations including accounting, reporting, invoicing, cost control, and cash management.

3. Financial Reporting, Audit & Compliance

• Oversee preparation and presentation of monthly and annual financial statements for the region and by market.
• Coordinate and manage audits across all African markets, ensuring timely delivery, readiness, and implementation of recommendations.
• Maintain rigorous internal controls and ensure compliance with all legal, regulatory, and accounting standards.

4. P&L Management & Forecasting

• Provide monthly updates to Regional Leaders in coordination with Regional/Global Finance.
• Review and monitor annual budgets and financial forecasts.
• Analyze performance, variances, and risks, proposing corrective actions.
• Provide technical guidance to business leaders, enabling financial literacy and sound decision-making.

5. Financial Operations Review

• Review and strengthen accounting processes and operational controls.
• Oversee Billing, Cost Accounting, Inventory Accounting, and Revenue Recognition.
• Ensure high accuracy and consistency in financial transactions and reporting.
• Review and validate audit reports, P&Ls, balance sheets, and financial analyses.

6. Cross-Market Team Leadership & Capability Building

• Lead and develop the regional finance team.
• Coach and support local finance teams to build capability and harmonize processes across markets.
• Foster a strong culture of financial discipline, accountability, and continuous improvement.

7. Multitasking, Organization & Communication Excellence

• Manage multiple workflows across eight markets with strong organizational discipline.
• Communicate effectively with local teams, Regional Leaders, Global Finance, and external stakeholders.
• Adapt communication to different levels of maturity and operational complexity across markets.

8. Business partnership

• Support the management on client or media vendor negotiations
• All other finance studies that may be necessary to help make decision (M&A, country closing/opening, operations driven through affiliates…)

Qualifications & Languages

• Bachelor's or Master's degree in Finance, Accounting, or Business Administration.
• Languages: English (Fluent), French (Fluent).

Experience & Industry Background

• 7+ years of experience in Finance or Audit.
• Experience in Media, Tech, Data, or similar fast-paced, multinational environments.

Soft Skills & Core Competencies

• Financial planning, analysis & reporting
• Budgeting & forecasting
• Accounting excellence
• Cost controlling
• Risk management
• Strong business acumen
• Critical thinking & problem-solving
• Detail orientation with strategic capability
• Strong communication & interpersonal influence
• Leadership & team management
• High autonomy and maturity
• Ability to multitask and prioritize across diverse markets

Technical Skills

• Office productivity tools
• Financial software and ERP systems

Contract Type :

Permanent

Here at Havas across the group we pride ourselves on being committed to offering equal opportunities to all potential employees and have zero tolerance for discrimination. We are an equal opportunity employer and welcome applicants irrespective of age, sex, race, ethnicity, disability and other factors that have no bearing on an individual's ability to perform their job.

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