[Hiring] Finance Lead @DesignThink Advisory

Role Description

Our client is seeking a Finance Lead who is both a seasoned operator and a deal-maker. This person will own the full finance function, day-to-day operations, compliance, and reporting, while also leading our client's debt management and fundraising activities. They will manage a junior Finance Officer and serve as the primary finance interface for the MD, Chairman, banking partners, and development finance institutions. The financial systems and models are already in place; what our client needs is someone who can run them with precision, interpret what they produce, and simultaneously open and close financing relationships that fuel the company's growth.

Key Responsibilities

• Day-to-Day Financial Operations
  • Oversee and quality-check the full month-end close process, journals, reconciliations, and accruals, ensuring the junior Finance Officer executes to a high standard.
  • Manage and review back-end settlement processes; ensure all PAYG transactions are reconciled against ANGAZA and bank records daily.
  • Maintain the dual-currency (NGN/USD) accounting framework, monitoring FX exposure and flagging risks proactively.
  • Ensure all payment approvals, expense processing, and internal controls are followed without exception.
  • Manage accounts payable and receivable; ensure no backlogs accumulate.
• Reporting and Financial Interpretation
  • Read, interpret, and act on daily and weekly system-generated financial reports; the models exist; this role uses them intelligently.
  • Prepare clear, concise management summaries for the MD and Chairman, flagging variances, risks, and decisions required.
  • Contribute financial data to the Monday MD dashboard; maintain always-current visibility of our clients' financial position.
  • Prepare monthly management accounts and present findings to leadership with recommended actions.
• Debt Management and Loan Facilities
  • Personally manage all existing loan facilities, tracking repayment schedules, covenant compliance, and lender communications.
  • Lead negotiations on new debt facilities with commercial banks, DFIs, and other lenders, personally sitting across the table and closing terms.
  • Manage due diligence processes for new borrowing, documentation, financial projections, and lender Q&A.
  • Monitor and manage covenant compliance across all active facilities; escalate risks to the Chairman before they become issues.
  • Maintain strong, proactive relationships with all banking partners.
• Fundraising and Investor Engagement
  • Support the Chairman and MD in identifying and pursuing fundraising opportunities, grants, equity, and debt instruments.
  • Prepare financial information packages, investment memoranda, and pitch support for DFI and investor meetings.
  • Lead engagement with DFIs, including REA, NEP, USAID, IFC, and other relevant institutions.
  • Build and maintain relationships with development finance and impact investing contacts in Nigeria's energy access ecosystem.
• Compliance and Controls
  • Ensure full FIRS compliance: VAT, WHT, and CIT filed accurately and on time.
  • Manage external auditor relationships; maintain audit-ready documentation at all times.
  • Oversee PFA pension remittances and all statutory deductions.
  • Design and enforce robust internal financial controls appropriate for a growing PAYG business.
• Team Leadership
  • Directly manage, develop, and quality-check the junior Finance Officer.
  • Set clear priorities and standards; review work before it is filed or submitted.
  • Build the finance function's capability as our client grows.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Accounting, Finance, or Economics.
• ACA (ICAN) / ACCA, qualified or minimum part-qualified.
• Minimum 6 years of finance experience, including management responsibility.
• Has personally negotiated at least one loan facility with a bank or DFI, led it, and did not just support it.
• Strong hands-on reconciliation, settlement, and month-end close experience.
• Dual-currency (NGN/USD) accounting experience.
• FIRS compliance: VAT, WHT, CIT.
• IFRS / NGAAP proficiency.
• Experience managing or developing junior finance staff.

Strongly Preferred

• PAYG solar, off-grid energy, or energy access sector experience.
• Familiarity with ANGAZA or similar PAYG platform financial reporting.
• DFI engagement track record: REA, NEP, USAID, IFC, or equivalent.
• Microfinance, fintech, or last-mile finance background.
• Experience in a lean SME environment, not only in large corporates.
• Existing relationships with Nigerian banking partners or DFIs.