Regional Operations Business Support Manager Job in Nairobi Kenya - Professional Accountants Global Body

Job Title: Regional Operations Business Support Manager 

Location / Function: Nairobi, Kenya / Global Business Support 

Reports to (job title): Head of Global Business Support
 

Our client a leading global body for professional accountants is in need of a Regional Operations / Business / Project Manager for its Nairobi Office.
 

Job Purpose
 

The regional business support manager (RBSM) is responsible for managing the provision of business support activities within their region in accordance with any in-country legislation, global policies, procedures and frameworks, ensuring appropriate levels of control and governance are in place and acts as the senior interface between CHQ Business Support Departments acting in the capacity as regional representative with authority to work with other accountable persons (especially market heads and directors) to manage and where possible mitigate risks. 

They will also be required to handle multiple projects, thus PM experience and certification will be required for this position.
 

The job holder will work with the HGBS and senior market staff to ensure contractual, legislative, policies and procedures are implemented and completed using the national office compliance matrix as a tool to ensure controls are in place; activities are undertaken in a timely manner based on due dates of expiry and to provide assurance to HGBS, regional director and director of corporate assurance on a quarterly basis. 

The market heads will be required to work closely with the job holder in completing this level of assurance.
 

A primary objective of the RBSM role and that of business support is to manage the provision of services to free market heads and market directors of operational responsibilities, allowing them to concentrate on building and developing markets. 

To fulfill this role, the job holder will work closely with such persons to ensure an appropriate level of governance and business support is provided at national offices.

Key Responsibilities
 

The job holder will be accountable and responsible for leading implementation of the business support operational plan which will support Our Client’s 2020 strategy and beyond. 

This will involve working closely with markets in areas where support can be provided and providing appropriate levels of assurance and reports against the required timeframe (monthly, quarterly and annually) including areas such as property asset management; health and safety; contractual information; security; sustainability and other regulatory areas
 

The job holder will provide financial management support to the Market Heads and the Business Support teams with responsibility for 3-year planning for all business support budgets (and markets where agreed). 

Our Client split between Markets and Business Support Activities requires the position holder to manage the Regional Business Support budget which includes both operational expenses and capital spending. Expectation is that the Business Support budget variance is managed to +/- 5%.

Lead the business support team in ensuring compliance of the relevant approved policies, procedures and standards across the National Offices and proactively look for areas of improvements.

As a senior member of Business Support team the job holder will forge strong working relationships with market heads, portfolio heads, regional directors, and the wider organisation network ensuring two-way flow of business support and market activities take place which will help determine appropriate levels of support to enable proactive planning for any future changes in requirements.
 

The position holder will be required to remotely manage Business Support team based in National Offices ensuring that People Practices are applied with transparency and fairness, key organisational message are communicated within the team with passion and commitment and career development plan for the team is structured and documented
 

Act as a Risk Manager for all operational risks and ensure that the regional risk register is kept up to date and have input from Market Heads and Office Managers from across the region.
 

Job holder will be required to provide support to Regional Director and Market heads by liaising with HR Business Partner for the region or by acting as a conduit between different segment of HR in the CHQ and National Offices to escalate HR issues.
 

Collectively act as conduit and/or sounding board for improvement or changes in the internal business processes between CHQ departments and Regional/National Offices providing pragmatic solutions based on the local circumstances.
 

Take a lead role in the setting up of new offices ensuring the agreed internal objectives, timelines and statutory requirements are met.
 

Key Metrics (financial and/or non-financial):
 

Line manager for all business support staff members within a region, direct reports would include (but not limited to) Office Managers in regional office, Finance Manager, Finance Controller etc. 

Under the Scheme of Delegated Authority procurement of goods and services up to the value of £100,000 Budget control within tolerances set by finance division 

Where appropriate, project delivery within tolerances to be agreed with project sponsors Continuous improvement statistics Positive internal stakeholder feedback

Knowledge, Skills and Experience

Educated to at least degree level or equivalent and possesses a relevant post graduate or professional qualification 

Holding a professional accountancy qualification is desirable 

Should have understanding of risk management process and internal controls.

Skills

• Excellent interpersonal skills with the ability to build long term, high quality, trusted partner relationships at a senior level 
• Outstanding communicator with excellent presentation skills, both written and oral English 
• Strong influencing and negotiation skills 
• Commercially and financially orientated with a track record of successful delivery and an ability to identify new opportunities 
• Highly motivated, proactive and enthusiastic; able to work independently 
• Plans, organises and prioritises work to be able to set and meet deadlines and within agreed budgets 
• Effective in leading teams and guiding and directing the work of others 
• Demonstrates integrity and professionalism in line with OUR CLIENT values and mission

Experience

• Experience of managing activities across the range of business support activities within an office environment (essential) 
• Demonstrable experience of operating in a business support environment preferably across a region 
• Line management and leadership experience 
• Experience of managing services in a commercial manner 
• Experience of managing relationships with a variety of stakeholders (external and internal) who may have differing objectives that require modified approaches in terms of communication, provision of information etc 
• Procurement experience and the ability to adhere to policies and procedures in place to ensure value for money 
• Minimum of 5-years financial and budget Management experience and evidence of day to day financial operations and controls within a regional office structure 
• Experience of Risk Management including identification, recording and implementation of appropriate mitigation strategies 
• Experience of managing change and carrying both direct line managed staff, other staff and stakeholders successfully through a change programme. 
• Demonstrable health and safety and crisis management skills including involvement in examples of both real and practice crisis events 
• Experience of managing performance in a) a team environment (internally) and b) of external contractors through close working arrangements with Contractors. 
• Language capability – fluent in English

Behavioral Competencies

Competency Area and Descriptor
 

Focus on the customer

• Able to communicate with peers and senior stakeholder (within national office and at CHQ)

Excellent delivery

• Taking responsibility and making decisions at the right level
• High quality, cost-conscious delivery
• Able to make/take decisions independently within the parameters of any policy e.g., SoDA (referring if appropriate)
• Able to produce concise and meaningful reports e.g. monthly OPG
• Ability to influence and drive through change

Team working and collaboration

• Good organisational skills
• Good time management
• Attention to detail

Creating a great place to work

• Valuing and recognising contributions
• Displaying and fostering positive attitudes
• Efficient running of the office environment

Building our future: Innovative and wanting to drive through change for cost conscious purposes, etc.

Working Relationships: 

• OUR CLIENT Internal Stakeholders including but not limited to HGBS, regional directors, national heads, CHQ departmental heads 
• Staff in post at national offices 
• Any contractors 
• Any appropriate local/regional regulatory and governing bodies

Decision Making (Freedom to Act):
 

Job holder decision making: The job holder can make decisions on purchasing where the Scheme of Delegated Authority allows him/her to.

The job holder can make decisions on the delivery of business support activities within the region where within limits or where there will be no significant impact on the business resilience.

The job holder can make decisions in respect of crisis and security management where any referral would result ina delay th at could place individuals or property at risk
 

The job holder can make decisions relating to staff management matters within the team
 

Referral: The job holder must refer any purchasing above his/her Delegated Authority to HGBS The job holder must refer to HGBS any contract failure that results in significant service delivery failure and/or cost. 

The job holder must refer any proposed contractual change where that change will result in significant change to the business (both positive and negative) and/or cost implications. 

The job holder must refer as appropriate any crisis or security event where referral will not create a delay or other situation that would place individuals or property at risk. 

As soon as practical during the event, the job holder must refer any crisis or security event where immediate referral would have created a delay or other situation that would place individuals or property at risk.
 

Additional Information: The job holder will report to the head of global business support (HGBS) with a dotted line to the regional director, working closely with CHQ departmental heads, market heads and business support staff to ensure that any ‘in country’ regulations or legislative requirements are identified and auditable processes put in place to ensure compliance. 

High workloads at times Frequent travel within the region with periodic travel outside of the region 

Training will be provided

If you believe you qualify for this position, please send your CV and details of your current and expected remuneration to resume@interviewupconsulting.com

Only qualified candidates will be contacted.