Operations Manager / Service Delivery Manager – Finance & Accounting (GBS)

Location: Durban, South Africa
Work Model: Hybrid
Hours: US-aligned working hours, with flexibility to support international clients
Industry: Global Business Services (GBS) / Finance & Accounting Outsourcing (FAO) / BPO

About Our Client

Our client is a global business services organisation providing outsourced finance, accounting, payroll and operational support to international businesses. With a growing presence in South Africa, they are expanding their delivery capabilities to support international clients and develop new business opportunities across global markets.

They are seeking an experienced Operations Manager / Service Delivery Manager with a strong accounting background and proven experience in Finance & Accounting operations within a GBS, BPO or shared services environment.

The Opportunity

This is a key leadership opportunity for an accounting professional who combines strong technical finance knowledge with operational management experience.

You will lead and develop the Durban delivery team, oversee finance and accounting service delivery, ensure compliance and service excellence, and support the expansion of the organisation’s global outsourcing operations.

The successful candidate will play an important role in establishing scalable delivery processes, supporting new client implementations and building a high-performing Finance & Accounting operations function.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead and manage Finance & Accounting operations, ensuring accuracy, efficiency and compliance with client requirements and service-level agreements.
• Oversee core finance processes, including Accounts Payable, Accounts Receivable, General Ledger, reconciliations and month-end reporting.
• Manage and develop operational teams, including team leaders and finance specialists.
• Establish and improve standard operating procedures, internal controls, quality assurance and reporting processes.
• Support new client implementations, service transitions, knowledge transfer and operational ramp-up.
• Monitor KPIs, productivity, service delivery and client satisfaction, implementing improvements where required.
• Build strong relationships with international clients and internal stakeholders.
• Identify opportunities for automation, process optimisation and operational efficiency.
• Support business growth by providing operational insight into service delivery models, resource requirements and client solutions.

What We’re Looking For

• A qualified Accountant with a degree or relevant professional accounting qualification.
• At least 5 years’ operations management experience within GBS, BPO, shared services or Finance & Accounting outsourcing.
• Strong practical experience managing Finance & Accounting operations in a service delivery environment.
• Sound knowledge of core finance processes, including P2P, O2C, R2R, General Ledger, reconciliations and financial reporting.
• Proven experience leading teams, managing performance and delivering against SLAs and KPIs.
• Experience supporting client transitions, operational implementation and process improvement.
• Strong understanding of financial controls, compliance, audit readiness and risk management.
• Excellent communication and stakeholder management skills, with the ability to engage international clients.
• A structured, analytical and solutions-driven approach to operational leadership.

Experience supporting UK, US or other international clients would be advantageous. Payroll or HR services exposure would also be beneficial.

The Person We Want

We’re looking for an accounting professional who has progressed into operational leadership within the GBS or outsourcing sector.

You understand finance processes beyond the numbers and know how to manage the people, systems, controls and service delivery requirements behind successful outsourced operations.

You are commercially minded, hands-on and comfortable working in a growing environment where building processes, developing teams and supporting business expansion are essential.

What’s In It For You?

• A key leadership role within a growing international business.
• The opportunity to help establish and scale a Finance & Accounting delivery operation in Durban.
• Exposure to international clients and global business services.
• The opportunity to build and develop a high-performing team.
• A hybrid working environment.
• Competitive remuneration aligned with experience.

Ready to take the next step in your career?

If you are a qualified Accountant with experience managing Finance & Accounting operations within a GBS, BPO or shared services environment, we would love to hear from you.