Head of Finance and Investments

About

Innovation Edge (IE) is a catalytic, impact-first funder focused on solving early childhood challenges in South Africa. Since 2014, IE has backed entrepreneurs, non-profits, and social innovators with financial, strategic, and hands-on support spanning the journey from ideation and proof of concept to the full-scale rollout of concepts that promise transformative impact in the lives of young children and those who care for them.

Purpose

The Head of Finance and Investments provides the financial and strategic backbone that allows Innovation Edge to deploy its capital purposefully — combining rigorous financial stewardship with a hands-on, venture philanthropy approach to investing in early childhood innovation. It safeguards IE's long-term financial health and "going concern" status, while professionalising the investment pipeline that underpins its impact.

The successful candidate will bring a strong finance and investment/grant management background, sound ethical judgement and a commitment to make a lasting difference in South Africa's early childhood development sector.

Responsibilities

• Strategic planning & implementation: Act as a core member of the Senior Management Team (SMT), contributing to high-level organisational strategy, internal policy development, Board Reporting and culture-building
• Portfolio & Team Management Lead and manage the Finance and Operations Associate and Investment Management Associate , overseeing financial operations, venture-building support and portfolio health tracking.
• Financial Stewardship & Sustainability Lead IE's financial function, taking full accountability for its financial health through strategic oversight of cash flow, reserves, budgeting and investment capital to ensure long-term sustainability. Oversee the annual audit and financial statements, and ensure full compliance with South African regulatory, tax (PBO) and governance requirements, while leading the transition to independent financial systems.
• Strategic Investment/Grant Management Leadership  Lead the investment and grant portfolio end-to-end — from sourcing and due diligence to deal or grant structuring and Investment Committee motivations — ensuring strict alignment with IE's strategy. Establish robust governance and contracting frameworks for social investments and grants, including milestone-based agreements and recoverable grant covenants, while balancing an impact-first mission with financial rigour and tracking investment and grant risk through evidence-based social return on investment (SROI) reporting to the Board. Guide investees and grantees toward sustainability and scale and identify strong exit or transition pathways through follow-on funders or government integration.
• Strategic Partnerships & Fund Raising In collaboration with the Executive Director, manage funder relationships and identify new capital partners, representing IE's impact-first approach to attract diverse capital to the ECD sector.

Requirements

Qualifications & Experience

• A Chartered Accountant or equivalent advanced financial qualification.
• Extensive experience in development finance, grant management and/or venture philanthropy with a track record of managing end-to-end social impact investment processes.
• At least 5 years’ experience at senior management, leading technical teams and engaging effectively with a Board of Directors and Investment Committee.
• Experience in managing the operational and compliance backbone of a growing organisation.

Qualities & competencies

• Advanced skills in financial modelling, budgeting, and risk management.
• Strong analytical skills and ability to interpret impact data
• The ability to balance financial rigour with social impact goals.
• Strong stakeholder management skills, able to engage confidently with the Board, Investment Committee, funders and investees.
• Sound commercial judgement and comfort operating with ambiguity in a small, entrepreneurial organisation.
• High personal integrity and a rigorous approach to governance, compliance and risk.
• A collaborative, hands-on leadership style, able to mentor and develop a small team.
• Demonstrated understanding of the unique challenges of the South African ECD and social entrepreneurship landscape would be highly advantageous.

Closing date: 21 September 2026

Please send your CV and a 1-page motivation letter to ***email_hidden***. For more information, go to or contact Este Buchholz on the above e-mail address.

Please accept your application as unsuccessful if you have not heard from us by 9 October 2026 .