Our client a 5* Lodge based in the Zambezi Region Namibia is seeking a commercially astute and hands-on Finance Manager to lead the lodge’s financial operations, controls, and reporting within a remote safari environment. The Finance Manager will be responsible for financial strategy, governance, and decision support, ensuring financial sustainability, cost discipline, and compliance while partnering closely with lodge leadership and operational teams.
This role requires a strong balance of technical finance expertise, business partnering, and leadership capability in a standalone, remote hospitality operation.
Key Responsibilities
Financial Leadership & Strategy
- Provide strategic financial guidance to the General Manager and lodge leadership team
- Translate financial data into actionable business insights to support operational and commercial decisions
- Support long-term financial planning, capital expenditure planning, and return-on-investment analysis
Financial Accounting & Reporting
- Oversee all accounting functions, ensuring accurate and timely financial reporting
- Prepare monthly management accounts, forecasts, and variance analyses
- Ensure compliance with company policies, IFRS standards, and statutory requirements
- Manage inter-company transactions and group reporting requirements
Budgeting, Forecasting & Cost Control
- Lead the annual budgeting and rolling forecast process
- Monitor departmental budgets and identify risks, inefficiencies, and opportunities
- Partner with HODs to drive financial discipline and operational cost efficiencies
- Review procurement, stock, and inventory reports for financial accuracy and control
Payroll & Statutory Compliance
- Oversee payroll processes in line with company policies and local labour legislation
- Ensure statutory compliance with tax, levies, payroll submissions, and financial regulations
- Maintain accurate employee cost and labour efficiency reporting
Internal Controls, Governance & Audit
- Implement and maintain strong financial controls in a remote operational environment
- Ensure adherence to company financial procedures and governance standards
- Prepare for internal and external audits and respond to audit queries
- Identify and mitigate financial and operational risks
Operational & Commercial Support
- Act as a business partner to lodge operations, providing financial insights for pricing, supplier negotiations, and resource allocation
- Support contract management, supplier agreements, and cost optimization initiatives
- Liaise with external accountants, auditors, banks, and financial service providers
Team Leadership (if applicable)
- Lead and develop finance staff or outsourced accounting support
- Ensure training, performance management, and capability building within the finance function
Qualifications
Required / Preferred
- Degree in Accounting, Finance, Financial Management, or related field
Advantageous
- Professional accounting qualification (CA(SA), SAIPA, CIMA, ACCA, or similar)
- Hospitality, tourism, or lodge operations qualification
Experience & Skills
- Minimum 5–8 years’ finance experience, with at least 2–3 years in a managerial or senior finance role
- Experience in hospitality, remote operations, or multi-site environments preferred
- Proven experience managing full finance functions, budgeting, and financial strategy
- Strong commercial acumen and analytical skills
- Advanced knowledge of accounting systems, ERP platforms, and payroll systems
- Strong leadership, stakeholder engagement, and communication skills
- High level of accuracy, integrity, and confidentiality
Personal Attributes
- Commercially minded and solutions-driven
- Highly organized, disciplined, and detail-oriented
- Ethical, trustworthy, and resilient
- Comfortable living and working in a remote lodge environment
- Strong interpersonal skills and ability to partner with operational leaders
To apply, forward comprehensive CV, proof of Namibian citizenship, proof all qualifications as well as full references to ronel@cedar-wood.co.za
Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted, if you don’t get feedback within 7 days, please regard your CV as not shortlisted.