Senior Specialist Business Excellence

About

When it comes to putting people first, we're number 1 – the number 1 Top Employer in South Africa, certified by the Top Employer Institute 2024.

The Business Excellence team within the Group International Business delivers the Africa hub centralisation of the COE for FinOps. Its value proposition includes:

• Process Excellence: Efficiency and effectiveness of business processes and systems; define best practices, frameworks & policies; drive standardisation and alignment of best practice.
• Governance and Controls: Design and implement risk management and controls to ensure compliance.
• Innovation: Define and implement strategic and transformational targets leveraging technology and best practices.
• Financial Value: Support operational, accounting, group and local market teams to ensure integrity and compliance of financial reporting.

The role supports the FinOps International Business team across African OpCos, interacting with Shared Service centres, Corporate Services, Group Financial processes, local market leadership teams, Internal and External Audit.

Responsibilities

Financial Reporting Assurance

• Ensure accuracy and integrity of the balance sheet through meticulous reconciliation and verification.
• Perform and maintain financial transparency and compliance.
• Drive action plans on aged/unidentified balances with account owners/head of finance.
• Follow up on identified control and audit risks; review and propose policy changes to reflect Vodafone Way principles and statutory requirements.
• Deliver control review activities in accordance with SOX regulations and Vodafone Group policies.

Manage the Execution of Strategic Projects

• Effectively manage strategic projects, ensuring stakeholder buy‑in and minimal disruption.
• Develop and implement communication plans to keep stakeholders informed of progress and anticipated outcomes.

Governance, Risk Management and Mitigation

• Develop and update policies and procedures for key processes, ensuring effective internal controls.
• Collaborate with stakeholders across Africa and other departments to define ownership and accountability for control activities.
• Conduct regular risk assessments to identify, analyse, and prioritise potential risks.
• Develop and implement risk mitigation strategies, including process improvements, internal control enhancements, and reporting procedures.
• Monitor and report on the effectiveness of risk mitigation measures, adjusting as needed.
• Coordinate with internal auditors, SOX, Group Risk, ensuring smooth audits and timely resolution of findings.
• Foster a culture of control consciousness.

Performance Management and Reporting

• Define key performance indicators (KPIs).
• Regularly monitor and report on performance against KPIs, providing insights and recommendations for improvement.
• Analyse data to identify trends and opportunities for service optimisation.
• Champion a data‑driven culture within the finance department by promoting the use of data analytics tools and insights.
• Develop and implement dashboards and reporting systems that provide real‑time financial visibility and support informed decision‑making.
• Partner with data analysts to extract valuable insights from financial data to drive strategic initiatives.

Requirements

• Minimum of 8 + years relevant experience in a finance environment (essential).
• Experience in performance management and reporting (KPIs).
• Experience working across multinational organisations.

Technical / Professional Qualifications

• Business‑related degree (essential).
• SAP certification (desirable).

Core Competencies, Knowledge and Experience

• SAP ERP knowledge.
• Project planning and system implementation experience.
• Excellent facilitation, written and oral communication skills.
• Planning, change management, and problem‑solving abilities.
• Ability to foster positive relationships and work effectively in teams.
• Ability to explain complex information clearly and simply.
• Operational excellence and strong attention to detail.
• Ability to adapt quickly, work on multiple systems/platforms, and communicate financial information to non‑finance employees at all levels.
• Knowledge of Finance Operations in a Shared Service centre supporting multiple companies and countries.
• Understanding of key performance indicators used to drive business decisions.
• SOX, IFRS knowledge, specifically in Source‑to‑Pay, Payroll, Travel & Expense, and Intercompany processes.
• Excellent SAP & HFM skills.
• Understanding of business impact of local and global initiatives/projects.
• Technical knowledge/experience of related systems (including interfaces) and post‑go‑live support.

Benefits

• Enticing incentive programs and competitive benefit packages.
• Retirement funds, risk benefits, and medical aid benefits.
• Cell‑phone and data benefits, fibre‑connection discounts, and exclusive staff discounts with partner companies.

Additional Information

• Closing date for applications: 28 November 2025
• Base location: Midrand, Vodacom Campus
• The company’s approved Employment Equity Plan and Targets will be considered as part of the recruitment process.
• Vodacom is an Equal Opportunities employer and actively encourages people with disabilities to apply.
• Commitment to a culture that recognises, appreciates, and values diversity & inclusion.