Head of Finance & Operations

Location: Accra, Ghana
Employment Type: Full-Time
Application Deadline: 20 July 2026

Company Profile

Dikan is a pioneering cultural institution dedicated to preserving, celebrating, and advancing Africa’s visual and historical heritage. Through archives, exhibitions, education, research, public programming, and digital innovation, Dikan serves as a leading platform for knowledge creation, cultural preservation, and public engagement.

As we continue to expand our impact and strengthen our long-term sustainability, we are seeking an accomplished and visionary Head of Finance & Operations to provide strategic leadership across finance, commercial operations, organizational effectiveness, governance, and institutional growth.

This is a senior leadership role for an exceptional professional who combines strong financial expertise with operational excellence, commercial acumen, and a passion for building high-performing organizations.

Position Purpose

The Head of Finance & Operations will serve as a key member of Dikan’s leadership team, providing strategic oversight of the institution’s financial management, commercial operations, organizational systems, human resources, technology, facilities, governance, and risk management functions.

The successful candidate will drive financial sustainability, operational efficiency, revenue growth, and organizational performance while ensuring that all activities align with Dikan’s mission, values, and long-term strategic objectives.

Key Responsibilities

Strategic Financial Leadership

• Lead the development and execution of Dikan’s financial strategy and long-term sustainability plans.
• Provide strategic financial advice to the Executive Director and Board on resource allocation, reserves management, investment decisions, and institutional growth.
• Direct, mentor, and develop the Finance team to ensure high performance, accountability, and succession readiness.
• Oversee annual budgeting, financial forecasting, cash flow management, and multi-year financial planning processes.
• Prepare and present monthly management accounts, financial analyses, forecasts, and strategic recommendations.
• Establish and maintain robust financial controls, governance frameworks, and risk management systems.
• Ensure compliance with statutory, regulatory, donor, and financial reporting requirements.
• Coordinate external audits and maintain a high standard of audit readiness.
• Strengthen financial management capabilities across departments by supporting budget holders and improving financial literacy throughout the organization.

Revenue Growth and Commercial Operations

• Lead the design and implementation of Dikan’s earned-income and commercial growth strategy.
• Oversee revenue-generating activities across:
  • Tourism and visitor experiences
  • Membership programmes
  • Retail and merchandise operations
  • Ticketing and events
  • Archival and conservation services
  • Educational and professional services
• Drive achievement of revenue, profitability, customer acquisition, and operational performance targets.
• Develop sustainable business models, pricing strategies, and commercial growth initiatives.
• Evaluate new business opportunities through robust financial and operational analysis.
• Monitor customer engagement, conversion rates, contribution margins, and commercial performance indicators.
• Collaborate with marketing, partnerships, visitor services, and programme teams to maximize revenue opportunities.
• Continuously assess business performance and recommend scaling, redesigning, improving, or discontinuing initiatives where appropriate.
• Ensure all commercial activities support Dikan’s mission, reputation, and public trust obligations.

Operations Management and Organizational Effectiveness

• Translate strategic priorities into integrated annual operating plans with measurable deliverables, timelines, budgets, and accountability mechanisms.
• Establish and oversee organization-wide operational systems and performance management frameworks.
• Lead regular operational reviews and performance monitoring sessions.
• Develop and implement policies, Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs), and service standards across operational functions.
• Oversee procurement, administration, logistics, travel management, visitor services, workplace safety, and business continuity planning.
• Manage vendor relationships, service contracts, and supplier performance.
• Ensure operational readiness and successful execution of exhibitions, educational programmes, archive services, public events, and special projects.
• Identify operational risks and implement mitigation strategies that enhance efficiency and resilience.

Human Resources and Organizational Development

• Provide strategic leadership and oversight of the Human Resources function.
• Lead workforce planning, organizational design, talent acquisition, succession planning, and workforce optimization initiatives.
• Ensure all roles maintain updated job descriptions, reporting structures, and performance expectations.
• Oversee recruitment, onboarding, employee relations, performance management, and learning and development initiatives.
• Support leadership development and management capability-building across the organization.
• Monitor workforce metrics and implement solutions to address capability gaps, retention challenges, and organizational risks.
• Foster a culture of accountability, innovation, collaboration, customer focus, and continuous improvement.

Technology, Facilities and Asset Management

• Lead oversight of organizational technology systems, digital operations, infrastructure, cybersecurity, and data protection initiatives.
• Ensure technology investments support strategic objectives and operational requirements.
• Manage software platforms, technology vendors, support contracts, and user access controls.
• Collaborate with specialist teams on archival, repository, and programme-related technology projects.
• Oversee facilities management, maintenance programmes, security operations, workplace safety, insurance coverage, and asset management.
• Maintain accurate records of organizational assets, maintenance schedules, and operational infrastructure.

Governance, Risk and Performance Management

• Develop and maintain governance frameworks, Delegation of Authority structures, and organizational policies.
• Establish enterprise-wide risk management and compliance monitoring systems.
• Lead institutional performance measurement and reporting processes.
• Prepare Board papers, executive reports, presentations, and strategic updates.
• Monitor financial, operational, legal, compliance, cybersecurity, reputational, and workforce-related risks.
• Ensure timely escalation, resolution, and reporting of critical organizational issues.
• Support effective Board governance, accountability, and independent assurance processes.

Qualifications

Education

• Bachelor’s Degree in Finance, Accounting, Business Administration, Economics, Management, or a related discipline.
• Master’s Degree in Finance, Business Administration (MBA), Management, Economics, or a related field is highly desirable.

Professional Qualifications

One or more of the following professional qualifications is strongly preferred:

• ICAG
• ACCA
• CIMA
• CPA
• CFA (advantageous)
• Equivalent internationally recognized professional qualification

Experience

• Minimum of ten (10) years of progressive leadership experience across finance, operations, commercial management, or general management functions.
• At least five (5) years of experience in a senior management or executive leadership role.
• Proven track record in financial management, budgeting, forecasting, cash flow management, audit coordination, and regulatory compliance.
• Demonstrated success leading revenue-generating operations, commercial portfolios, or business units.
• Strong experience driving operational excellence, organizational development, and systems improvement initiatives.
• Experience overseeing multiple corporate functions including finance, HR, technology, procurement, administration, facilities, and risk management.
• Experience working with Boards, donors, funders, executive teams, regulators, and other high-accountability stakeholders.

Preferred Sector Experience

Experience within one or more of the following sectors will be highly advantageous:

• Cultural Institutions
• Museums and Galleries
• Tourism and Hospitality
• Education
• Libraries and Archives
• Non-Profit Organizations
• Creative Industries
• Professional Services
• Social Enterprises

Core Competencies

Leadership Competencies

• Strategic leadership and organizational vision
• Organizational transformation and change management
• Team leadership and talent development
• Stakeholder engagement and influencing skills
• Decision-making and accountability

Technical Competencies

• Financial management and reporting
• Budgeting, forecasting, and financial planning
• Commercial strategy and revenue management
• Governance, compliance, and risk management
• Operational excellence and business process improvement
• Procurement and contract management
• Business planning and performance management

Personal Attributes

• High ethical standards and professional integrity
• Strong analytical, commercial, and strategic thinking skills
• Results-oriented with strong execution capabilities
• Excellent communication, negotiation, and presentation skills
• Advanced problem-solving and critical-thinking abilities
• Adaptability, resilience, and sound judgment in complex environments
• Commitment to innovation, continuous improvement, and organizational impact

How to Apply

Apply online by clicking on the Application Button.