CFO - Life Insurance

SUMMARY:
If you're the kind of insurance finance executive who can discuss solvency ratios over your morning coffee, tackle IFRS 17 without breaking into a cold sweat, and move seamlessly between Board strategy sessions and regulator engagements, then this highly confidential opportunity may be exactly what you've been waiting for.

POSITION INFO:
We are partnering with a well-established and forward-thinking insurance business seeking a Finance Director / Chief Financial Officer to provide strategic financial leadership in a complex and highly regulated environment. This is an organisation where sound governance, commercial growth, and long-term sustainability aren't simply objectives, they're embedded into the way the business operates.

Reporting directly to the CEO and working closely with the Board, this executive-level role will shape financial strategy, oversee regulatory compliance, drive capital management initiatives, and support the business's long-term growth ambitions. You'll be expected to balance technical expertise with commercial insight, because "we'll figure it out later" isn't considered a viable financial plan.

The successful candidate will assume full responsibility for the financial leadership of the organisation, ensuring compliance with IFRS, SAM, and the broader insurance regulatory framework. From solvency management and capital adequacy to financial reporting and regulatory submissions, you'll play a pivotal role in maintaining financial strength while enabling strategic business decisions.

This is the kind of role where one day could include executive strategy discussions, Audit Committee meetings, actuarial reviews, regulatory engagements, capital planning sessions, and a last-minute forecasting request, all before lunch and usually just before someone asks for "one small change" to a financial model.

We're looking for a commercially astute and strategically minded CA(SA) who can confidently engage with Boards, influence executive decision-making, and remain calm when an email titled "Urgent FSCA Submission Required" lands in the inbox.

Key Responsibilities:

• Serve as a key member of the executive leadership team, contributing to strategic business decisions
• Provide financial insight to support product development, pricing strategies, and growth initiatives
• Lead budgeting, forecasting, and long-term financial planning processes
• Oversee accurate and compliant monthly, quarterly, and annual financial reporting
• Ensure full compliance with IFRS (including IFRS 17 & IFRS 9), SAM, and insurance regulatory requirements
• Manage statutory reporting and engagement with the Prudential Authority (PA) and FSCA
• Oversee capital adequacy, liquidity management, and solvency requirements within the SAM framework
• Lead capital management and balance sheet optimisation initiatives
• Manage treasury, taxation, audit engagements, and funding relationships
• Ensure robust governance frameworks, risk management practices, and internal controls
• Collaborate closely with actuarial, compliance, risk, and audit functions
• Lead, mentor, and develop a high-performing finance team
• Present financial results, strategic recommendations, and regulatory matters to the Board and executive stakeholders

• CA(SA) qualification (essential)
• MBA or relevant postgraduate qualification advantageous
• Minimum 10 years' senior financial management experience within the insurance industry
• At least 5 years operating at a CFO or executive finance level
• Strong experience within the insurance regulatory environment, including PA and FSCA engagement
• Proven expertise in SAM, solvency management, capital adequacy, and regulatory reporting
• Deep understanding of IFRS 17, IFRS 9, and insurance finance principles
• Demonstrated experience presenting to Boards, Audit Committees, and executive governance structures
• Exceptional leadership, strategic thinking, and stakeholder management skills
• The ability to interpret insurance regulations while maintaining a sense of humour will be considered a distinct advantage

• Strategic and commercial acumen
• Leadership and influencing capability
• Governance and risk management orientation
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills
• Executive communication and stakeholder engagement ability
• Results-driven mindset
• Integrity and sound professional judgement
• Change leadership and innovation capability

• Financial Managers
• Financial Accountants
• Financial Controllers
• Chartered Accountants
• Group Reporting & Consolidation Accountants
• Commercial Finance and FP&A Professionals