Lead: Enabling Operational Excellence

Job Purpose

• To align organisational strategic approach, monitor operational efficiency, effectiveness and sustainability, which involves integrated business planning, business and revenue performance analysis and monitoring, reporting, continuous operational improvement and inventory management. Furthermore, manage day to day regional operational schedules, quality management, risk and governance management, Auditor General and Internal Audit processes.

Education and Experience

Minimum Qualification & Experience Required 

• Honours Degree / Postgraduate Diploma (NQF 8) in Business Management, Public Administration, Operations Management, Quality Management, Risk Management, Governance, Finance, Accounting, Audit or a related field AND 10 – 12 years’ experience in an operational excellence, business planning, performance reporting, governance, quality management, risk management, audit, process improvement or similar environment, of which 3 – 4 years must be at middle management level.

Alternative

• Bachelor’s Degree / Advanced Diploma (NQF 7) in Business Management, Public Administration, Operations Management, Quality Management, Risk Management, Governance, Finance, Accounting, Audit or a related field AND 12 – 15 years’ related experience in an operational excellence, business planning, performance reporting, governance, quality management, risk management, audit, process improvement or similar environment, of which 3 – 4 years must be at middle management level.

Minimum Functional Requirements

• None

Job Outputs:

Process

• Develop tactical strategy and delivery plans in support of functional objectives in partnership with leadership. (I)
• Direct, control, coordinate and optimise budgeted resources to meet specific objectives and deliver agreed results and productivity requirements. (I)
• Ensure the development and implementation of multiple practices in alignment with operational policy and procedural frameworks. (I)
• Identify and recommend opportunities to continuously improve all functions and systems in line with national, regional, and organisational changes. (I)
• Plan for handling work outputs, pull together interdependent activities and specify priorities, standards and procedures to ensure tactical excellence. (I)
• Proactively identify interconnected problems, determine its impact and use to develop best fit alternatives; driving best practice solutions. (I)
• Provide periodic reports on performance against plan and progress on medium-term initiatives and use to realign operating plan and objectives appropriately. (I)
• Recommend changes to optimise processes, systems, policies and procedures, and direct the implementation of change and innovation initiated by the organisation. (I)
• Timeously communicate top-down policy modification, objective achievement progress and critical success factors to impacted stakeholders. 
• Use the insights gained through integrated business reports to measure success and realign tactical strategy development objectives appropriately. (I)
• Oversee initiatives introducing innovative solutions and technologies and implement process improvements to enhance efficiency and reduce costs.
• Analyse data, narration and trends to identify opportunities for growth and produce comprehensive performance reports with actionable insights.
• Collaborate on the development and alignment of functional policies and procedures in support of integration requirements in area of accountability and the organisation and ensure consistent application.
• Conduct regular reviews and updates of operational guidelines to reflect changes in regulations.
• Develop a risk-based quality approach into SARS operations, conduct quality inspections, identify risks in processes and value chains, and support operations in the implementation of corrective and preventative actions.
• Develop and implement risk management strategies and ensure compliance with governance policies and procedures.
• Enhance data analytics capabilities to identify patterns of non-compliance and use data analytics to derive insights and inform decision-making.
• Ensure adherence to quality standards and continuous improvement and achieve high compliance rates in internal and external quality audits.
• Operate within the Auditor General and Internal Audit Frameworks and ensure implementation of corrective actions on findings and root cause reporting.
• Oversee risk register, risk assessment, analysis, risk prioritisation and business continuity.
• Review and analyse governance documents and ensure adherence to policies and procedures.
• Streamline operational processes to reduce complexity and improve user experience.
• Implement self-service options for taxpayers and traders to access information and services
• Strengthen internal controls to proactively detect and prevent issues. Collaborate with compliance teams to develop targeted interventions for high-risk areas.

Governance

• Implement governance, risk and compliance policy in own practice areas to identify and manage governance and risk exposure liability. (I)
• Manage and or advise on the translation and application of policy in a specific functional area. (I)

People

• Create a positive work climate and culture to energise employees and give meaning to work, minimise work disruption and maximise employee productivity. (I)
• Develop and implement appropriate people capacity plans in line with delivery and efficiency targets, on budget and in partnership with specialised areas. (I)
• Plan and develop enhanced organisational efficiency by identifying and addressing development requirements and providing tools for people resources. (I)
• Translate performance expectations into specific metrics and goals to identify and provide effective services, solve problems and achieve objectives. (I)

Finance

• Draw up a budget aligned to business unit delivery plans, monitor planned vs. actual, minimise expenditure and report on cost efficiency. (I)
• Implement and monitor financial control, management of costs and corporate governance in area of accountability. 

Client

• Build strong relationships and develop service level agreements that promote SARS with internal and external stakeholders. (I)
• Develop and ensure implementation of practices which builds service delivery excellence and encourages others to provide exceptional client service. (I)
• Manage an integrated service excellence culture, which builds rewarding relationships and provides opportunity for feedback and exceptional service. (I)

Behavioural competencies

• Accountability
• Fairness and Transparency
• Honesty and Integrity
• Respect
• Service Delivery Innovation
• Trust

Leadership competencies

• Ability to translate strategy into execution
• Concern for impact of own behaviour on others
• Develops teams and nurtures interdependency
• Inspires others to positive action
• Nurtures future talent
• Stewardship and service orientation
• Strong results orientation
• Values and manages diversity

Technical competencies

• Business Acumen
• Change Management
• Data Analysis
• Decisiveness
• Effective Business Communication
• Functional Policies and Procedures
• Managerial Budgeting
• Planning and Organising
• Planning, Management and Measurement
• Problem Analysis and Judgement
• Quality Management
• Strategic Planning and Reporting

Deadline:7th October,2026