About the role

We are seeking a highly skilled Senior Finance Business Partner to serve as the primary financial business partner to project teams, enabling strategic financial oversight, commercial contract execution, and governance across both national and international programmes. The successful candidate will ensure accurate financial planning, drive cost optimisation, and manage risk exposure across all programme deliverables.

Qualifications & Experience

• Minimum Bachelor’s Degree in Finance or Accounting; Honours Degree in Accounting or similar qualification preferred.
• Minimum of 10+ years’ experience in finance roles, with at least 5+ years in a business partnering or project finance capacity.

Key Technical Skills

• Proven experience in supporting large-scale or complex projects across planning, delivery, and closeout stages.
• Strong understanding of budgeting, forecasting, variance analysis, and cost control.
• Solid grasp of project accounting principles and financial modelling.
• Strong knowledge of IFRS and relevant local regulatory frameworks.
• Advanced proficiency in Microsoft Office (Excel, PowerPoint, Word).
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills with the ability to work independently and under pressure.
• Excellent communication, negotiation, and interpersonal skills across culturally diverse teams.
• Expertise in project financial control and cost management.
• Commercial contract negotiation and pricing.
• Cash flow, working capital, and revenue management.
• Risk, compliance, and audit engagement.

Key Responsibilities

  1. Strategic Financial Partnership

• Align financial operations with programme delivery objectives and organisational strategy.
• Lead a finance team with clearly defined performance targets and development plans.
• Drive financial input into business case development, investment appraisals, and capex reviews.

2. Financial Management of Projects and Programmes

• Prepare accurate cost-to-completion and earned value assessments for key projects.
• Achieve and maintain project gross margin and cash flow targets.
• Limit financial variances between actuals and budget/forecast to within 5%.

3. Commercial and Contract Governance

• Lead financial contract negotiations with clients, suppliers, and partners.
• Ensure 100% compliance with financial regulations, audit requirements, and internal controls.
• Minimise financial risk exposure through effective waiver/claim, penalties, and opportunity management.

4. Reporting, Planning and Analysis

• Submit monthly financial reports within group deadlines and with no material errors.
• Provide rolling forecasts and scenario analyses to support executive decision-making.
• Support year-end and audit processes with full reconciliations and audit-ready documentation.

5. Stakeholder Engagement and Process Optimisation

• Build collaborative relationships with Programme Managers, Procurement, Legal, and Engineering.
• Represent finance in customer meetings, consortiums, and commercial discussions.

What We Offer:

HENSOLDT South Africa focuses on diversity, equity, and inclusion in our organizational strategy. We are committed to building a diverse and inclusive corporate culture that benefits our employees and delivers better outcomes for our clients. In line with our commitment to equal employment opportunities and our focus on diversity in the operational environment, we welcome applications from all ethnic groups. In line with HENSOLDT's commitment to equal employment opportunities and our focus on diversity in the operational environment, preference will be given to suitable candidates from designated groups.

Application Deadline: 25 August 2025

How to Apply:

Please submit your CV by applying directly on the HENSOLDT Careers page. 

If you have not been contacted within 14 days of the closing date, please consider your application unsuccessful.