Regional Business Director

**Background**

Panthera is the only organisation in the world that is devoted exclusively to the conservation of the world’s 40 wild cat species and their ecosystems. Utilising the expertise of the world’s premier cat biologists, Panthera develops and implements global strategies for the most imperilled species. Representing the most comprehensive effort of its kind, Panthera partners with local and international NGOs, scientific institutions, local communities, governments around the globe, and citizens who want to help ensure a future for wild cats.

Due to Panthera’s growing footprint in the Southern and East African region, it is establishing an institutional “Hub”, located in Cape Town, South Africa.

**Job purpose**

The Regional Business Director will provide strategic direction and oversight of the operations, administration and governance functions in South Africa and neighbouring countries where Panthera has legal entities or operations. They will work closely with Panthera’s USA-based global leads for Finance, Human Resources, Administration and Legal. This role will be a member of Panthera's Executive Management Team (EMT) with joint reporting to the Chief Finance Officer (CFO) and Chief Administrative Officer (CAO).

**Key Responsibilities**

**Finance and Administration**
- Manage the development and tracking of program activities, budgets, and deadlines.
- Ensure organisational budget development and management.
- Oversee the financial management of the legal entities in South Africa, Zambia and Namibia
- Ensure timely and accurate accounting, auditing, and tax requirements in accordance with Panthera and statutory deadlines.
- Ensure and monitor staff awareness of, and compliance with policies and procedures, including health and safety guidelines.
- Ensure that the country office possesses the necessary Finance, HR, IT and operational capacity for the optimal functioning of the office.
- Recruit and manage finance and administration staff.

**Legal, Governance and Compliance**
- Manage administration of Panthera’s legal subsidiaries in the region and establish equivalent operations in additional countries supporting overall organisational strategy.
- Develop and implement internal controls to ensure a high level of financial governance and statutory compliance.
- Monitor staff awareness and ensure compliance with financial policies and procedures.
- Ensure the implementation of the Protection of Personal Information Act and other relevant legislation.

**Human Resources Management**
- In coordination with HR, oversee annual performance appraisals and support professional development of regional staff to optimise personal and professional growth and support succession planning.
- Coordinate country workforce planning and implementation with support from Program Directors and Project Coordinators.
- Ensure compliance with local labour legislation and Panthera’s organisational policies.

**Enterprise Risk Management**
- Prepare and maintain the enterprise risk register, combined assurance document and internal control policy document.
- Oversee the governance and control environment.
- Monitor the effective operation of all management systems for accounting processes and controls and introduce improvements where necessary.

**Procurement and Asset Management**
- Ensure the development, implementation and maintenance of a fixed asset register.
- Monitor fixed assets and ensure the integrity of the asset register.
- Develop and implement procurement processes to ensure value for money and good governance.
- Assist with procurement needs when required.

**Fundraising and Donor Management**
- Coordinate project proposals and reports between Panthera SA and the Business Development team.
- Collaborate with the Business Development team, Regional and Species Program Directors, donors & partners to support donor relations, update projects, enhance communication and facilitate site visits.
- Monitor donor reporting requirements and proactively address inquiries to maintain positive relationships with donors and effectively manage expectations.
- Assist programmes to ensure timely and accurate financial donor reports and the accurate recording and allocation of contract-related income.
- Ensure the use of best practice grant and contract management. Review and implement improved processes as required.

**Requirements**:

- Master’s degree in finance, management or other relevant field.
- At least 3 years management experience, ideally in the non-profit or development sector
- Knowledge of South African non-profit laws and regulations.
- Successful track record of collaborating with government and multi-lateral organisations in South Africa.
- Proven understanding of donor and grant management processes
- Advanced proficiency in Microsoft Office (Outlook, Word, Excel, and Teams).

**Personal qualities**:

- Excellent English written and verbal communication skills.
- Able to act discr