Head of Business

VACANCY ADVERTISEMENT

Institution: The Southern African Foundation for the Conservation of Coastal Birds (SANCCOB)

Job Title: Head of Business

Reports To: Chief Executive Officer (CEO)

Location:  Table View, Cape Town 

Closing Date 30 September 2026

Starting Date:  As soon as possible

Full-time / Part-time: Full-time, permanent position

Work Hours: Monday to Friday, 8am to 5pm. Given the nature of the work required, working hours will need to be flexible but generally equate to 40 hours per week.

Travel: Requirements Limited

CONTEXT:

SANCCOB, a globally recognised leader in seabird conservation, is seeking to appoint a dynamic, experienced, and values-driven Head of Business. This senior management role is critical to ensuring the organisation’s financial sustainability, effective human resource management, governance integrity, compliance and operational excellence.

Reporting directly to the CEO, the successful candidate will provide strategic leadership across finance, human resources, governance, compliance, and business systems, enabling SANCCOB to deliver on its conservation mission.

THE POSITION:

The Head of Business is responsible for the effective strategic and operational management of the organisation’s business functions.

This role ensures strong financial management, human resource management, governance and compliance management, in support of SANCCOB’s mission, sustainability, and public benefit objectives. The role serves as a key member of the senior management team and plays a critical leadership role in enabling programme delivery, organisational performance, and Board assurance.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES:

1. Strategic Leadership and Management

• Develop the business strategy and translate strategic objectives into operational plans, ensuring effective implementation and delivery across all business support functions. 

• Complete ongoing business planning and forecasting ensuring long-term sustainability.

• Report on business performance, risk, and compliance, and provide strategic recommendations to the CEO to drive continuous improvement.

• Lead business division staff, ensuring high performance, accountability, and alignment with organisational values.

2. Financial Management and Oversight

• Oversee organisational financial management, budgeting, forecasting, and cash flow management.

• Ensure accurate financial reporting.

• Ensure compliance with financial governance requirements, including continuous unqualified financial audit opinions, and all statutory filings.

• Ensure robust financial controls, sound procurement practices, and optimal cost management across the organisation. • Support fundraising and grant management by ensuring financial compliance and reporting requirements are met.

• Liaise with auditors, financial service providers, internal management committees, and Board committees, as required. 

3. Human Resources and Organisational Development

• Oversee the contractual requirements and performance of outsourced human resources company.

• Develop and ensure the effective implementation of a human resources strategy.

• Oversee human resources operations, including recruitment, performance management, remuneration, and employee relations.

• Ensure employee compliance with all human resources and internal company policies and procedures.

• Ensure compliance with South African labour legislation and best practice in human resource standards.

• Provide strategic direction on organisational structure, workforce planning, and succession planning.

• Promote a positive, ethical, and inclusive organisational culture. 

4. Governance and Board Support

• Support the CEO in ensuring effective governance in line with King V principles.

• Coordinate and manage all Board and committee processes, including the preparation of Board and associated governance documentation.

• Ensure accurate governance records and statutory registers.

• Ensure timely, accurate, and insightful reporting to the Board on finance, human resources, governance, compliance, and risk.

• Support Board assurance by ensuring governance systems are effective and transparent and governance policies are effectively managed.

• Confidently and effectively represent SANCCOB at Board and Board Committee level, presenting and providing informed input on matters relating to business operations. 

5. Compliance, Risk and Legal Oversight

• Ensure organisational compliance with all applicable legislation, including, but not limited to:

           o Companies Act (NPC requirements)

           o NPO Act (where applicable)

           o Labour legislation 

           o Tax and statutory requirements

• Ensure the effectiveness of SANCCOB’s risk management framework, including the identification, mitigation, and monitoring of key risks.

• Ensure the effective implementation and management of robust internal controls, policies, and procedures.

• Ensure legal compliance with regards to all contracts, agreements, Memoranda of Understanding, and any other contractual matters.

• Oversee fundraising compliance including procedures, grant writing and donor report back requirements. 

6. Systems, Policies and Operational Efficiency

• Lead the development, implementation, and continuous improvement of organisational systems, policies, and processes to ensure operational efficiency, scalability, and compliance.

• Drive the optimisation of business support functions through the integration of effective systems and streamlined workflows.

• Ensure that policies and procedures are consistently applied, regularly reviewed, and aligned with best practice, statutory requirements, and organisational strategy.

• Identify opportunities for innovation, digital transformation, and process improvement to enhance overall performance and resource utilisation.

• Oversee the contractual requirements and performance of outsourced IT support company.

KEY PERFORMANCE AREAS (KPAs):

• Financial sustainability and clean audit outcomes.

• Robust human resource management, effective governance and positive organisational culture.

• Effective compliance and risk management.

• Excellent quality and timeliness of Board and management reporting.

• Improved operational efficiency of business support functions. 

DESIRED QUALIFICATIONS, EXPERIENCE AND ATTRIBUTES:

• Degree or Diploma in Finance, Accounting, Business Administration, or equivalent. Professional qualification (e.g. CA(SA), Professional Accountant (SA), or MBA,) advantageous.

• Minimum 8–10 years senior management experience, preferably in the non-profit or public benefit sector.

• Strong financial acumen and a sound working knowledge of the financial, governance, statutory and tax requirements applicable to NPCs, NPOs and PBOs.

• Strong HR acumen, with demonstrated experience across key human resource functions, including employee relations, performance management, recruitment, policy development and labour law compliance.

• Strong governance acumen, with demonstrated experience in NPC/NPO governance, including Board and committee governance, statutory and regulatory compliance, governance frameworks and policies, and the practical application of King V principles.

• Demonstrated experience in:

      • Business strategy development and implementation.

      • Financial management and oversight, with experience managing budgets in excess of R50 million.

      • Human resources management and labour relations.

      • Governance, compliance and risk management.

      • Working with Boards and sub-committees.

• Strategic thinking with strong operational execution.

• Excellent leadership, communication, and stakeholder management skills.

• Ability to work in a mission-driven, resource-conscious environment.

• Values-driven and mission-aligned.

• Must be a South African citizen or a hold a valid South African work permit.

REMUNERATION:

Subject to negotiation. Remuneration package commensurate with qualifications, experience, and SANCCOB’s remuneration model.

HOW TO APPLY:

To apply, please submit your CV and cover letter, detailing your relevant experience, to Natalie@sanccob.co.za. Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted. SANCCOB is an equal-opportunity employer and encourages applicants from diverse backgrounds. We invite you to join us in our mission to protect seabirds and make a difference for the future of our planet’s ecosystems. SANCCOB reserves the right not to make an appointment should a suitable candidate not be found.