Senior Manager Advisory Services

A Senior Manager (Pod Leader) oversees a portfolio of clients, ensuring high-quality service delivery, strong team performance, and long-term client satisfaction. The role blends leadership, project management, operational oversight, and strategic client engagement. Senior Managers act as the main liaison between clients, internal delivery teams, and senior directors, while also supporting finance professionals with technical and practical guidance. They may also perform accounting advisory work when required.

1. Resource Planning & Talent Management

• Coordinate with Talent Acquisition to secure appropriate resources for open deals.
• Assess candidate quality, conduct profile screenings, interviews, and technical/behavioural evaluations.
• Oversee shortlisting, final interview invitations, and case-study assessments.
• Evaluate cost-to-company, profit margins, and resource suitability.

2. Project Management & Delivery

ryProject Setup

• Define objectives, deliverables, timelines, budgets, and communication plans.
• Allocate financial professionals with suitable expertise.
• Build detailed project schedules with milestones and contingencies.

Execution & Monitoring

• Track milestones, ensure compliance, maintain quality standards, and monitor resource performance.
• Oversee budgeting, cost optimisation, invoicing, and financial risk management.
• Manage scope, address delays proactively, and maintain progress trackers.

Deliverable Quality

• Review deliverables for accuracy, completeness, format consistency, and logical flow.
• Provide feedback, manage iterations, uphold quality standards, and sign off before client submission.

3. Team Leadership, Development & Collaboration

• Set clear roles and responsibilities; monitor task progress and workload distribution.
• Mentor, coach, and upskill team members; identify training needs.
• Resolve conflicts, escalate issues where necessary, and maintain strong team morale.
• Facilitate regular check-ins, cross-team collaboration, and continuous improvement.
• Support team members with tools, templates, time-management guidance, and content reviews.

4. Client & Stakeholder Management.

• Set expectations regarding scope, timelines, deliverables, and communication.
• Provide regular status updates, address issues promptly, and maintain strong relationships.
• Attend client premises, gather feedback, identify improvement areas, and maintain open communication.
• Support presentations, incorporate feedback, and ensure stakeholder alignment.

5. Reporting, Documentation & Risk Management

• Prepare progress reports on project status, resource utilisation, and finances.
• Conduct post-project reviews, document lessons learned, and refine future processes.
• Identify operational, financial, and resource risks; implement contingency and change-management plans.

6. KPI Management & Performance Analysis

• Track performance indicators such as progression, satisfaction, and retention
• Conduct employee surveys, provide behavioural coaching, and run mentorship programs.
• Assign development opportunities across industries, departments, or leadership strams.

7. Budgeting & Financial Planning

PlanningAnnual Budget Preparation

• Align budget with strategic objectives, conduct market and scenario analysis
• Forecast revenue, client pipelines, utilisation, and billing rates.
• Estimate expenses including payroll, operations, training, travel, and capital investments.
• Consolidate data into comprehensive budgets and present for leadership approval.

Monthly Performance Tracking

• Monitor budget vs actuals, conduct variance analysis, and reforecast as needed.
• Communicate financial updates and performance insights to leadership.

8. Business Development

• Drive client growth through cross-selling and up-selling.
• Track revenue targets, analyse business development effectiveness, and report to leadership.
• Gather competitive insights to enhance service offerings and market positioning.

Requirements

• Qualification: CA(SA)
• Experience: 3–5 years post-articles in business development, consulting, or similar