About the position
Finance IT Manager – Finance Systems & Applications
Location: Johannesburg
Working arrangement: Onsite
Contract: Initial 3–6-month contract
Role Overview
We are seeking an experienced Finance IT Manager to lead the stability, development and delivery of critical Finance systems and technology initiatives.
This is a technical applications and development leadership role, rather than a traditional financial management position. The successful candidate will manage a Finance IT development team, oversee business-critical Finance applications and lead complex systems projects involving multiple business areas, technical teams and external vendors.
The role requires a strong background in Microsoft development technologies, SQL, ERP solutions, UiPath automation and Agile delivery, supported by experience within financial services or short-term insurance.
Key Responsibilities
Finance Systems Management
- Ensure existing Finance systems remain stable, effective and available, with minimal and manageable downtime.
- Oversee the support, maintenance and continuous improvement of Finance applications.
- Manage system incidents, technical risks, defects and production issues.
- Ensure compliance with technical, operational and administrative standards.
- Monitor service levels and ensure agreed customer-service standards are maintained.
Technology and Project Delivery
- Lead the execution of Finance IT projects across multiple business areas and technical teams.
- Manage the design, development, implementation and integration of new technology solutions.
- Enhance or adapt existing systems to improve business efficiency and productivity.
- Translate Finance and business requirements into practical technical solutions.
- Define system requirements, operational processes, user interfaces and reporting outputs.
- Present proposed solutions to Finance leaders, project sponsors and other stakeholders.
- Ensure solutions are scalable, supportable and aligned with the broader Finance technology architecture.
Development Team Leadership
- Manage the Finance IT team’s workload, priorities, quality and delivery.
- Allocate development work and provide clear direction regarding expected methods, processes and outcomes.
- Facilitate Agile/Scrum ceremonies, including sprint planning and daily stand-ups.
- Oversee code reviews, technical quality and development standards.
- Track team capacity, delivery timelines and output.
- Support team members in resolving complex technical and operational problems.
- Create clear accountability and secure commitment to agreed deliverables.
RPA and Automation
- Maintain, support and enhance UiPath RPA solutions.
- Identify opportunities to automate Finance processes and reduce manual effort.
- Ensure automated solutions are reliable, controlled and aligned with business requirements.
- Work with Finance stakeholders to assess and prioritise automation opportunities.
Architecture, Integration and Vendor Management
- Contribute to the development of a fit-for-purpose Finance systems architecture.
- Ensure effective integration between Finance applications, ERP platforms, data environments and other enterprise systems.
- Engage with technology vendors and implementation partners regarding new solutions.
- Evaluate proposed technologies, products and services.
- Manage vendor delivery, performance and alignment with technical and business requirements.
- Conduct ongoing research into technologies and industry developments relevant to Finance systems.
Governance and Reporting
- Provide management reporting on project delivery, system performance, operational indicators, risks and outstanding issues.
- Present achievements, challenges and recommendations to senior management.
- Monitor variances against agreed standards and implement corrective action plans.
- Ensure adherence to applicable policies, procedures, controls and governance requirements.
- Identify and implement opportunities for continuous process improvement.
- Participate in technology strategy, product development and policy initiatives.
Minimum Qualifications
- Relevant IT degree or equivalent qualification.
Required Experience
- 8–10 years’ experience in software development, systems development or enterprise applications.
- At least 3 years’ experience managing a technical, development or applications team.
- At least 1 year of practical UiPath experience.
- Between 3 and 5 years’ ERP solution experience.
- Practical experience working in an Agile/Scrum environment.
- Experience managing complex systems projects across multiple teams and business areas.
- Experience supporting business-critical Finance or enterprise applications.
- Previous exposure to financial services, preferably short-term insurance.
Technical Skills
- Strong Microsoft .NET development knowledge.
- Strong SQL and Microsoft SQL Server skills.
- Understanding of software-development practices, code reviews and quality standards.
- Experience with UiPath and robotic process automation.
- Good understanding of ERP solutions.
- Understanding of data integration, interfaces and data-warehousing tools.
- Experience designing, enhancing and integrating enterprise applications.
- Sound knowledge of Microsoft Office, including Excel, Word, PowerPoint and Outlook.
Insurance and Finance Knowledge
The successful candidate should have a sound understanding of commercial and industrial short-term insurance, including:
- Risk management
- Underwriting
- Claims processes
- Reinsurance and treaties
- Insurance terminology
- Insurance products
- Finance processes and reporting
Desired Skills:
