{"id":3137566,"url":"https://alion.io/job/silverleaf-academy-ltd-in-finance-manager","title":"Finance Manager","company":{"id":4464149,"name":"Silverleaf Academy Ltd in","domain":"silverleaf.co.tz","url":"https://alion.io/company/silverleaf-academy-ltd-in","size_band":null,"is_staffing_agency":false,"employer_type":"direct","is_intermediary":false,"listed_via":null,"ats_vendor":null,"truth_index":null},"role":"Finance","role_family":"Finance","seniority":"senior","employment_type":null,"work_mode":"on_site","remote_scope":null,"remote_scope_basis":null,"remote_working_hours":null,"hiring_geo_confidence":"explicit","locations":["Arusha, Tanzania"],"countries":["TZ"],"hiring_countries":[],"hiring_countries_total":0,"salary":null,"salary_estimate":null,"experience_years_min":8,"visa_sponsorship":false,"relocation_package":false,"has_equity":false,"technologies":[{"name":"Google Sheets","optional":false},{"name":"QuickBooks","optional":false}],"status":"live","first_seen_at":"2026-10-21T10:38:18Z","employer_posted_date":null,"last_verified_at":"2026-10-21T10:38:18Z","board_verified":false,"closed_at":null,"days_open":15,"trust":{"level":"not_scored","repost_count":null,"flags":[],"days_open":15},"description":"Finance Manager job at Silverleaf Academy Ltd\nOrganization: Silverleaf Academy Ltd\n\nLocation: Silverleaf Academy Network, Arusha, Tanzania\n\nPosition: Finance Manager\n\nRole type: Executive Leadership | Full-time\n\nContract duration: 2 years (renewable)\n\nReports to: MD\n\nDirect reports: Finance Associates\n\nOrganization overview\n\nSilverleaf Academy is a fast-growing education platform building a scalable network of high-quality, affordable private schools across Tanzania, serving lower-middle-income families. Silverleaf exists to demonstrate that excellent education, grounded in strong learning outcomes, inclusive practice, and whole-child development, can be delivered sustainably at scale.\n\nSilverleaf has built a strong reputation for disciplined execution, data-informed leadership, and a distinctive school culture, delivering solid academic outcomes with a sharp focus on foundational literacy, numeracy, and life skills, supported by technology-enabled learning and continuous improvement.\n\nWe are now entering a pivotal scale phase, targeting growth from 5 to 30 schools over a 5-year horizon beginning in 2026. This expansion includes entry into multiple regions, the launch of Secondary education and a Teacher Training College, and rapid enrollment growth from 1,200 to over 10,000 learners. This scale introduces increasing complexity across capital planning, governance, and risk management and demands a finance leader who is a true strategic architect.\n\nRole overview\n\nThe Finance Manager is a core member of Silverleaf’s Executive Leadership Team and the organisation’s principal architect of financial strategy, long-term financial sustainability, and enterprise-wide performance. This is not a traditional accounting or compliance role. It is a strategy-led finance leadership position for an individual who combines the analytical rigour of a Finance Manager with the commercial instinct of a growth investor.\n\nAs Silverleaf blends philanthropic funding, equity and debt financing to fuel its expansion, the Finance Manager must be deeply fluent in capital structure strategy — including but not limited to the implications of each financing instrument on growth objectives, investor dilution, governance rights, and long-term organisational ownership. The right candidate will help Silverleaf raise capital smartly, not just adequately.\n\nThe Finance Manager will ensure that financial insight drives operational decision-making at every level: translating complex data into clear strategy, trade-offs, and recommendations that enable Silverleaf to scale responsibly while protecting quality, impact, and the mission.\n\nKey responsibilities\n\n1. Enterprise financial strategy & scale architecture\n\nLead the refinement of Silverleaf’s 10-year financial forecasting and expansion model, ensuring its alignment with the Board-approved growth plan.\n\nLead the development and maintenance of dynamic organisation-wide and discrete multi-scenario financial models (base, upside, downside, stress) to support leadership and Board-level decisions.\n\nTranslate the expansion strategy into a clear multi-year capital funding strategy, developing the most efficient capital structure for each discrete operating asset (e.g., school) and the collective organization (e.g., parent company).\n\nAdvise the MD and Board on the appropriate pace of operational growth, taking into consideration all forms of risk (e.g. macroeconomic, operational, regulatory, etc.). In connection with this duty, the Finance Manager will lead the creation and presentation of risk-adjusted scenario planning.\n\nLead the financial aspects of all activities associated with Silver Leaf’s pre and post-merger acquisition strategy (e.g., financing analysis, capital deployment, etc.).\n\nFacilitate, along with the leadership team, a pricing strategy for each product offering (e.g., academic services/tuition, busing, food services, boarding, etc.) that helps to ensure the school’s service offerings are viable (i.e., meet the target profitability) on a standalone basis.\n\n2. Capital strategy, fundraising & shareholding dilution management\n\nDesign and actively manage Silverleaf’s capital structure strategy across the various forms of capital types (e.g., philanthropic grants, debt, equity) utilised by the Organization.\n\nAnalyse and define the long-term implications of each capital raise on (among other things) shareholder ownership and dilution, as well as governance rights and composition, ensuring the MD, Board and current shareholders understand (with full clarity) the shareholder-oriented implications associated with every proposed funding round and acquisition.\n\nDevelop and maintain an up-to-date and forward-looking cap table that reflects current ownership holdings as well as prospective dilution scenarios for future financing rounds.\n\nAdvise on the optimal financing sequencing; in particular, when and to what degree the Organization and its underlying assets should take on the right proportion of grant, equity, and debt funding and relatedly how best to structure financing across those various financial instruments in a way that preserves the Organization’s mission while in balance, maximising shareholder returns and rights.\n\nPartner with the MD on developing and maintaining investor and lender relationships, negotiating term sheets, due diligence management, and closing processes.\n\nEnsure capital is deployed efficiently in connection with acquired assets during the growth years to ensure actual activities meet the projected expectations of the Organization (e.g., its Board and shareholders).\n\n3. Budgeting & cashflow management\n\nDevelop and manage the Organization’s consolidated annual budgets as well as facilitate the creation of the discrete budgets for each underlying asset.\n\nManage the monthly, quarterly, and annual cashflow needs of the consolidated Organization and its underlying assets (e.g., underlying schools).\n\nEstablish and monitor enterprise-level financial KPIs, including but not limited to revenues, profitability, liquidity, unit economics, and return on invested capital.\n\nShift financial reporting from backwards-looking compliance to forward-looking decision support, giving leadership real-time visibility into what matters.\n\n4. Finance systems, process automation & financial reporting\n\nLead the design and implementation of financial management systems and processes capable of supporting the growth ambitions of the Organization.\n\nLead the automation of routine finance tasks, including payroll processing, fee collection reconciliation, procurement workflows, and statutory reporting, to free the team for higher-value work.\n\nStandardise financial operations, the chart of accounts, and reporting structures across all schools and the enterprise.\n\nBuild real-time dashboards and data pipelines that give the MD and campus leaders instant visibility into financial health.\n\nAlign finance systems with broader enterprise data (enrollment, HR, operations, academic outcomes) to support integrated business intelligence.\n\nEvaluate and implement appropriate ERP, school management, or accounting platforms suited for a growing multi-site network.\n\nProduce Board and Leadership-ready financial reports and narratives that articulate current financial realities as well as prospective realities and communicate complex scenarios with clarity and confidence.\n\n5. Governance, risk & financial integrity\n\nStrengthen enterprise-wide governance, internal controls, and financial risk management appropriate for a 30-campus organisation.\n\nEnsure full statutory, tax, and regulatory compliance across all entities.\n\nLead external audits and Board Finance Committee engagements with confidence and clarity.\n\nMitigate financial risks associated, including but not limited to foreign exchange, regulatory and compliance.\n\nDevelop and maintain a risk register and scenario-based contingency planning framework.\n\n6. Leadership, team development & financial culture\n\nBuild and lead a high-performing finance team capable of supporting a complex, scaled organisation, recruiting, retaining, and developing strong talent.\n\nShift the finance function from transactional execution to strategic partnership, embedded across all business functions.\n\nBuild financial literacy across non-finance leaders to strengthen ownership, cost discipline, and accountability at every level.\n\nModel calm, decisive, and disciplined leadership during high-growth and high-pressure phases.\n\nFoster a culture of accountability, transparency, and cost-effectiveness throughout the organisation.\n\nQualifications & experience\n\nEducation & professional certification\n\nMinimum Bachelor’s degree required in Finance, Accounting, Economics, or a related field and a Master’s degree strongly preferred.\n\nCPA, ACCA, CIMA, or equivalent professional qualification required.\n\nExperience\n\nMinimum 8 years of progressive finance leadership, including senior-level Finance Manager or equivalent strategic responsibility.\n\nDemonstrated experience designing capital structures across multiple instruments — including equity, impact debt, grants, and blended finance.\n\nProven track record in building and managing cap table models, advising on dilution strategy, and structuring investment rounds.\n\nExperience in multi-site, growth-stage, or mission-driven environments strongly preferred.\n\nDeep familiarity with Tanzanian statutory, tax, and regulatory frameworks.\n\nTrack record of implementing finance systems and automation at scale.\n\nExperience presenting to and engaging with Boards, investors, and lenders at an executive level.\n\nTechnical skills\n\nAdvanced financial modelling proficiency (Excel/Google Sheets; experience with scenario and sensitivity analysis required).\n\nFamiliarity with ERP and accounting systems (e.g., QuickBooks or equivalent).\n\nStrong command of data visualisation and dashboard tools.\n\nExceptional ability to communicate complex financial concepts clearly to Boards and non-financial leaders.\n\nValues\n\nThe Finance Manager is expected to embody and promote Silverleaf’s core values:\n\nLead the Way: Demonstrate integrity, accountability, and servant leadership.\n\nSpeak, Listen and Learn: Engage openly, collaborate deeply, and learn continuously.\n\nAsk Why and Why Not: Challenge assumptions and pursue better ways of working.\n\nBuild for the Future: Make decisions that strengthen Silverleaf for the long term.\n\nMission Focus: Balance financial discipline with unwavering commitment to student outcomes.\n\nWhy this role matters\n\nThis is a rare opportunity to help build an institution, not just manage numbers. Silverleaf’s ambition is to become a nationally recognised, financially sustainable education platform that proves the model for quality, affordable schooling at scale across Tanzania.\n\nThe Finance Manager who joins at this stage will have direct influence over the financial architecture, ownership structure, and strategic direction of a mission-driven organisation at an inflection point. This is a role for someone who wants to make a lasting mark — and who understands that getting the financial foundations right now is what makes the mission possible for decades to come.","description_format":"text","description_chars":11201,"description_truncated":false,"requirements":{"experience_years_min":8,"management_years_min":null,"team_size_min":null,"manages_managers":false,"education":null,"security_clearance":false,"languages":[]},"benefits":["Equity"],"hiring_locations":[{"name":"Tanzania","iso":"TZ","kind":"country"}],"hiring_excludes":[],"relocation_offered":false,"industries":[],"lifecycle":[{"event":"open","at":"2026-10-23T06:33:09Z"}],"visa":[],"liveness":{"score":65,"band":"ok","label":"Likely open","p_open":0.85,"p_active":0.845,"p_room":0.9,"age_days":14,"expected_fill_days":29,"reasons":["seen:14","win:mid"],"computed_at":"2026-11-05T05:54:30Z"},"pay":null,"html_url":"https://alion.io/job/silverleaf-academy-ltd-in-finance-manager","json_url":"https://alion.io/job/silverleaf-academy-ltd-in-finance-manager.json","meta":{"generated_at":"2026-11-05T22:36:20Z","cache_seconds":300,"methodology":"https://alion.io/methodology","terms":"https://alion.io/terms","contact":"https://alion.io/contact","api":"https://alion.io/developers","about":"Alion is a live layer of people, companies and AI agents: who they are, whether they are real and active right now, what they do and how to work with them, readable by people and by agents and paid per call.","catalog":"https://alion.io/catalog.json","usage":{"tier":"crawler_verified","counted_by":"address","units_charged":1,"used_today":3479,"day_limit":null,"remaining_today":null,"minute_limit":300,"resets_at":"2026-11-06T00:00:00Z"}},"offers":[{"id":"company.slices","title":"One company in depth, by slice","status":"live","price":{"credits":0.02,"usd":0.002,"plus_per_slice":{"credits":0.05,"usd":0.005}},"unit":"per company, plus each slice with data","note":"the employer in depth","call":{"mcp_tool":"get_company","arguments":{"id":4464149},"rest":"https://alion.io/mcp/rest/get_company?id=4464149"},"human":"https://alion.io/catalog?offer=company.slices&for=job%2Fsilverleaf-academy-ltd-in-finance-manager"},{"id":"market.stats","title":"A market slice: pay, demand and time to fill","status":"live","price":{"credits":1,"usd":0.1},"unit":"per slice","note":"pay, demand and time to fill for this role and place","call":{"mcp_tool":"market_stats"},"human":"https://alion.io/catalog?offer=market.stats&for=job%2Fsilverleaf-academy-ltd-in-finance-manager"},{"id":"job.search","title":"Open jobs by role, technology, place, pay and visa","status":"live","price":{"credits":0.02,"usd":0.002},"unit":"per posting in a list","note":"similar open postings","call":{"mcp_tool":"search_jobs"},"human":"https://alion.io/catalog?offer=job.search&for=job%2Fsilverleaf-academy-ltd-in-finance-manager"},{"id":"company.verify","title":"Is this company real and active right now","status":"pilot","price":null,"unit":"per company","request":{"url":"https://alion.io/catalog/request","method":"POST","body":"{\"offer\": \"company.verify\", \"for\": \"job/silverleaf-academy-ltd-in-finance-manager\", \"note\": \"what you need it for\"}"},"human":"https://alion.io/catalog?offer=company.verify&for=job%2Fsilverleaf-academy-ltd-in-finance-manager"}],"agent":{"mcp":"https://alion.io/mcp/jobs","mcp_open":"https://alion.io/mcp/open","next":[{"tool":"get_job","arguments":{"id":3137566}},{"tool":"search_jobs","arguments":{"company":"silverleaf.co.tz","detail":"compact"}},{"tool":"match_people","arguments":{"job_id":3137566},"note":"people open to offers who fit this vacancy"}],"note":"The same data through MCP tools: https://alion.io/mcp/open needs no sign-in (compact searches, postings, people); https://alion.io/mcp with an Alion account has everything. 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