Strategic Finance Lead
Welcome2Africa International (W2A)
Job Details
Job Description
Welcome2Africa International (W2A) is an Africa-focused organisation working to improve perceptions of the continent by promoting investment, trade and access to business opportunities. Its activities currently focus on Nigeria’s agricultural sector, where it works to connect businesses, investors and other stakeholders.
Over the years, the organisation has hosted agricultural investment conferences in several international locations, including Lagos, Abuja, Accra, London, Frankfurt and Luxembourg. These engagements have helped build a network of agribusiness operators, investors, financial institutions, private equity firms and development partners.
Welcome2Africa International is seeking an experienced Strategic Finance Lead to strengthen its financial management, support business growth and improve access to long-term institutional funding.
Role Overview
The Strategic Finance Lead will oversee financial planning, reporting, cash flow management and funding strategy across Welcome2Africa International and its business units. The successful candidate will work closely with the Group CEO, business unit leaders, investors, lenders, auditors and the Board to maintain accurate financial information and support sound commercial decisions.
The role involves managing finances across different entities and jurisdictions, monitoring liabilities, evaluating transaction profitability and preparing the group for investment opportunities. The successful candidate will also establish financial controls, improve reporting processes and ensure that commercial transactions are assessed for profitability before execution.
Key Responsibilities
- Work with the Group CEO to develop the group's financial strategy, budgets, performance targets and funding plans.
- Prepare financial plans for individual business units and align them with the group's overall objectives.
- Develop financial models to support business expansion, investment proposals and strategic decisions.
- Monitor financial performance and recommend practical measures to improve profitability and cash management.
- Cash Flow and Liability Management
- Maintain a consolidated financial overview covering all business entities and jurisdictions.
- Prepare rolling cash flow forecasts that account for operating expenses, trade cycles and working capital requirements.
- Maintain a complete record of outstanding debts, liabilities and other financial obligations.
- Develop repayment plans, manage creditor relationships and support the transition towards longer-term institutional financing.
- Identify potential cash flow shortages and financial risks before they affect business operations.
- Transaction Review and Profitability
- Review the financial viability, margins and commercial terms of proposed mandates and trade transactions before execution.
- Confirm that transactions meet approved profitability requirements and remain financially sound throughout their lifecycle.
- Monitor transaction costs, revenue and margins to identify potential losses and protect commercial returns.
- Work with relevant business units to improve pricing, cost management and financial discipline.
- Fundraising and Investor Relations
- Prepare financial models and supporting documents for the group's holding company capital raise.
- Provide financial information for investor presentations, business plans and due diligence exercises.
- Maintain accurate financial records and respond to requests from prospective investors and lenders.
- Support shareholder reporting and maintain consistent financial information across investor communications.
- Build financial models for new business opportunities, structured transactions and entity-level growth plans.
- Financial Reporting and Internal Controls
- Prepare monthly management accounts and financial performance reports for the Group CEO and Board.
- Produce a rolling 90-day revenue forecast to support planning and decision-making.
- Establish appropriate financial approval procedures, revenue verification processes and internal controls.
- Oversee intercompany charges and ensure that grant-funded programmes are properly accounted for.
- Coordinate financial reporting and compliance requirements across the group's different entities and jurisdictions.
- Team Leadership and External Relationships
- Supervise, support and develop the Strategic Finance Officer.
- Manage relationships with banks, external auditors, tax advisers and other financial service providers.
- Coordinate audits and ensure that financial records are accurate, complete and available when required.
- Advise senior management on financial risks, funding options and commercial decisions.
Requirements
- A recognised professional qualification in accounting or finance, such as ACA, ACCA, CIMA, CFA or an equivalent qualification.
- Substantial experience in strategic finance, financial planning and analysis, corporate finance or a related field.
- Strong financial modelling, budgeting, forecasting and management reporting skills.
- Experience supporting capital raises, investor relations or financial due diligence.
- Previous experience managing finances across multiple business entities or international operations.
- Knowledge of liability management, working capital, funding structures and financial controls.
- Experience in commodity trading, trade finance or investment advisory will be an advantage.
- Strong analytical, organisational and problem-solving abilities.
- Good communication skills and the confidence to explain financial findings to senior management and external stakeholders.
- The ability to establish effective financial processes in a growing organisation where systems and structures may still be developing.
- High standards of accuracy, accountability, professional judgement and financial integrity.
- Within the first 12 months, the successful candidate is expected to establish a dependable financial reporting system, improve cash flow visibility and ensure that the group's liabilities are properly documented and actively managed.
- Other expected outcomes include consistent monthly management accounts, reliable revenue forecasts, documented profitability reviews for transactions and timely, accurate financial information for investors and the Board.
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