Job Purpose:

The Group Chief of Strategy is accountable for leading the development, and analysis of the executional effective for the business strategy, operations, and governance across all subsidiaries of the Client Group. This includes driving financial performance, ensuring long-term financial sustainability, and maximizing return on investments in cosmetics, packaging, real estate, food & beverages, and other entities.

The Group Chief of Strategy will play a critical role in aligning business operations with the companys overall vision across multiple industries. Functional Outputs/Activities per key performance area:

Strategic Business Leadership:

- Provide strategic business direction to the Board of Directors, Group CEO, and Executive Committees of all subsidiaries.

- Develop and implement a comprehensive business strategy to support the groups diversification goals across industries. This could include investment and funding decisions on M&As, JVs, Franchises etc.

- Oversee long-term business plans, budgeting, forecasting, and cost management to ensure alignment with corporate objectives.

- Drive innovation by leveraging data analytics and advanced tools to improve decision-making across all business units.

- Benchmark financial and operational performance across subsidiaries to achieve optimal group-wide synergies and efficiencies.

- Lead the continual refinement of smarter information systems, provision of centralised information, increased financial and operational KPI information and trend analysis and benchmarking of the Group performance against agreed measures.

Corporate Governance:

- Standardize and oversee group business processes, including reporting, treasury, risk management, and audits.

- Advise on robust systems for managing cash flow, debt facilities, insurance, and compliance across all entities.

- Establish a centralized business control framework to enhance transparency and accountability across subsidiaries.

- Lead the development of advanced business modelling and KPI dashboards for performance monitoring.

Business Performance improvement:

- Proactively monitor and improve profitability metrics across all business units.

- Define and communicate key performance indicators (KPIs) to proactively track success and improve profitability metrics across all business units t.

- Guide subsidiaries on optimizing revenue streams through diversification and operational efficiency.

- Consolidate reports on business performance to guide EXCO discussions on monthly, Quarterly, and annual basis

- Drive cost containment strategies, including process re-engineering and resource optimization.

- Provide actionable insights on financial risks and opportunities tied to key projects and initiatives, such as new manufacturing facilities or real estate developments.

- Analyse market data, competitive landscapes, and customer behaviours to inform strategic decision-making.

Team Development:

- Provide expertise and direct support in building and mentoring a high-performing leadership team across subsidiaries.

- Champion a culture of continuous improvement, accountability, and innovation within different teams across the Group.

- Design and execute training programs to enhance business acumen across the organization.

Stakeholder and Relationship Management:

- Build strong relationships with financial institutions, regulators, investors, and business partners.

- Negotiate favourable terms with bankers, suppliers, and distributors to support operational efficiency and business growth.

- Serve as a financial ambassador for the group, fostering trust and confidence among internal and external stakeholders.

Business Processes and systems Evaluation:

- Deeply evaluate the business processes to identify opportunities for automation and the right software to deliver efficiencies across the different functions for the entities in the Group.

- Provide strategic insights, business case justifications and return on investment analysis for business systems transformation and initiatives.

- Work closely with the IT teams to define and communicate standards for acquiring or developing systems, equipment, or software within the organization.

- Actively participate in vendor contract negotiations for all Business systems purchases and relationships with outside vendors for the organization.

- Conduct value audit of the different business systems and guide on the Return on Investment.

- Provide up-to-date knowledge of standards, industry trends, emerging technologies, and best practices to guide the respective leadership teams in the different entities on effective utilization.

Projects Management:

- Lead capacity building to strengthen project management capabilities across the organisation.

- Establish a consistent approach to oversight, brilliant execution, and performance reporting of business projects.

- Identify and use appropriate project management tools and concepts (scope management, planning, budget management, risk/issue management, communications management) to support cross functional strategies.

- Provide strategic guidance in evaluating projects performance against goals and take necessary actions to address deviations.

- Spearhead value audit on the different strategic projects and guide on the Return on Investment.

Risk & Compliance Management:

- Develop and oversee the risk management framework for the group, addressing legal, financial, and operational risks.

- Ensure compliance with tax regulations, statutory requirements, and industry standards.

- Establish and monitor risk mitigation strategies for emerging challenges in foreign exchange, supply chain disruptions, and market volatility.

- Oversee periodic audits and implement corrective measures to maintain financial integrity.

Diversified Portfolio Oversight:

- Develop business strategies for new ventures in packaging, real estate, and food to complement the core cosmetics business.

- Provide leadership in evaluating the financial and technical viability of new investments, including greenfield and brownfield projects.

- Monitor profitability and ROI for diversified business units, ensuring alignment with group objectives.

Tax Planning Initiatives:

- Develop and align a robust tax planning policy with the companys overall business objectives to ensure effective financial decisions that support and enhance the success of the Group.

- Conduct regular reviews and updating of tax plans in response to changing tax laws and business conditions locally and beyond boarders of Uganda.

- Identify tax-saving opportunities, risks associated with tax liabilities as well as effective mitigation measures and ensure compliance with tax regulations.

- Guide the entities in the Group to take advantage of deductions and credits, increase after-tax cash flows, and thrive in an ever-changing global landscape.

Minimum Qualification Requirements: Related Minimum Experience:

- MBA or post graduate qualification in Financial Management, Business Administration other related disciplines.

- At least 15 years of working experience, 7 of which at a senior management level in a complex and reputable FMCG.

- Certified Accountant (ACCA, CPA, etc)

- Proven experience in building relationships and working closely with other senior executive leaders, and the Board.

- Proven projects Management experience and certification is an advantage.

- Experience of managing growth and investment programmes for business sustainability.

- Experience with importing and management of foreign currency in a dynamic and changing environment.

Knowledge:

- Advanced experience with MS Office.

- Solid experience in business and financial modelling.

- Solid project management mind set.

Skills:

- Strategic Acumen: Ability to align financial strategies with long-term business goals.

- Financial Expertise: Proficiency in budgeting, forecasting, financial modelling, and risk management.

- Leadership: Proven ability to lead large teams and foster a collaborative, high-performance culture.

- Innovative Thinking: Strong aptitude for leveraging technology and data analytics to drive financial innovation.

- Decision-Making: Skilled in analysing complex scenarios and providing actionable insights.

- Stakeholder Management: Expertise in managing relationships with boards, investors, and regulators.

- Global Perspective: Understanding of cross-border financial operations, compliance, and taxation.

Other Attributes include:

- Self-Starter & Action Oriented.

- Good self-confidence and awareness

- High level emotional intelligence attributes

- Strong Market insights

- Ability to harness peer Relationships.

- willingness to roll-up-the-sleeves, when appropriate, and lead from the front.

- Must be of unquestionable integrity, Honesty, Trustworthiness and Professionalism

Growth Potential:

- The successful candidate will be set up for succession planning to the Chief Executive Officer roles in the Group contingent on their ability to drive financial and operational excellence across all business units.

Physical Requirements and Environmental Conditions:

- Frequency of travel: Frequent travel is required for market visits and may require overnight stays.

- Light physical activities and efforts required working in an office environment.