Financial Services Strategy and Payments Transformation

Management Level

Senior Associate

Job Description & Summary

At PwC, our people in finance consulting specialise in providing consulting services related to financial management and strategy. These individuals analyse client needs, develop financial solutions, and offer guidance and support to help clients optimise their financial performance, improve decision-making, and achieve their financial goals.

As a finance consulting generalist at PwC, you will possess a broad understanding of various aspects of finance consulting. Your work will involve providing comprehensive guidance and support to clients in optimising their financial performance, improving decision-making, and achieving their financial goals. You will be responsible for analysing client needs, developing financial solutions, and offering recommendations tailored to specific business requirements.

Focused on relationships, you are building meaningful client connections, and learning how to manage and inspire others. Navigating increasingly complex situations, you are growing your personal brand, deepening technical expertise and awareness of your strengths. You are expected to anticipate the needs of your teams and clients, and to deliver quality. Embracing increased ambiguity, you are comfortable when the path forward isn’t clear, you ask questions, and you use these moments as opportunities to grow.

Examples of the skills, knowledge, and experiences you need to lead and deliver value at this level include but are not limited to:

• Respond effectively to the diverse perspectives, needs, and feelings of others.
• Use a broad range of tools, methodologies and techniques to generate new ideas and solve problems.
• Use critical thinking to break down complex concepts.
• Understand the broader objectives of your project or role and how your work fits into the overall strategy.
• Develop a deeper understanding of the business context and how it is changing.
• Use reflection to develop self awareness, enhance strengths and address development areas.
• Interpret data to inform insights and recommendations.
• Uphold and reinforce professional and technical standards (e.g. refer to specific PwC tax and audit guidance), the Firm's code of conduct, and independence requirements.

Role Summary: 

Strategy&, PwC’s prestigious global strategy consulting branch, is seeking an experienced and results-driven Manager to join our Financial Services (FS) Strategy and Payments Transformation team. This dynamic team is instrumental in shaping the financial services landscape in South Africa and across the African continent. We work with prominent FS clients to establish transformative strategies and implement wide-reaching industry programmes aligned with critical policy goals such as boosting competition and enhancing financial inclusion. This aligns with PwC’s purpose to “build trust in society and solve important problems.” 

Collaborating closely with our global counterparts, we support international FS clients in their complete transformation journey from strategy design to execution. Our expertise includes crafting innovative business models, developing target operating models, performing market entry assessments, and establishing strategic transformation offices with robust governance frameworks. We also excel in modernising payment systems, enabling digital ecosystems, and implementing cutting-edge payment solutions. 

As part of one of the top strategy consultancies internationally, we bring unparalleled strategic insights to help clients tackle their most challenging issues and develop the critical capabilities required to excel beyond their competition. You will play a crucial role in formulating actionable strategies that enable our clients to thrive in competitive global markets. 

Strategy& offers a unique career path enriched by world-class training, structured mentorship, and advanced people processes. By joining us, you become part of a global team with a legacy of generating groundbreaking ideas and thought leadership. Our focus is on developing high-impact, pragmatic strategies that address complex challenges, maximise market potential, and differentiate our clients. This involves enhancing core business capabilities to drive sustainable stakeholder value and significant impact on the bottom line. 

Qualifications / Certifications required: 

• Bachelor’s degree in Business, Finance, Economics, Engineering, or a related field (required) 

• Postgraduate qualifications (e.g., MBA, CFA, CA, or equivalent) and professional certifications (e.g., PASA Academy, PMP, Six Sigma, Agile) are advantageous 

Experience required: 

• 4–8 years of professional experience, with at least 2 years in a management or strategy consulting role 
• Demonstrated experience leading consulting engagements or internal strategic initiatives 
• Understanding of the financial services industry, including banking and payments 
• Proven track record of managing teams, client relationships, and complex project delivery 

Responsibilities of role: 

You will work as part of a team of problem solvers with extensive consulting and industry experience, helping our clients solve their complex business issues from strategy to execution. Your responsibilities will include:  

• Lead end-to-end delivery of consulting engagements, ensuring high-quality outcomes and client satisfaction 

• Develop and maintain strong client relationships, acting as a trusted advisor to senior stakeholders 

• Design and implement strategic solutions to address client challenges and opportunities 

• Manage project teams, providing direction, coaching, and performance feedback 

• Contribute to business development through proposal development, client pitches, and thought leadership 

• Collaborate with internal teams to drive practice development and capability building 

• Monitor project financials, risks, and timelines to ensure successful execution 

• Adhere to PwC engagement risk management and quality procedures 

• Build productive and lasting relationships within Strategy& and PwC across levels and jursdictions  

Skill sets required: 

• Strong strategic thinking, analytical and problem-solving skills 

• Advanced proficiency in Microsoft Office tools with a strong focus on Microsoft PowerPoint and Excel; familiarity with data visualisation tools (e.g., Power BI, Tableau) 

• Excellent communication, facilitation and presentation skills 

• Ability to manage multiple priorities and work under pressure 

• Strong project management and organisational skills 

• Demonstrate cultural awareness and support for diversity, particularly within South African and broader African contexts 

• Exhibit flexibility and a commercial mindset, capable of managing a broad spectrum of responsibilities in a dynamic, results-driven environment 

• Ability to lead and inspire cross-functional teams 

Role related attributes: 

• Commercially focussed with a client-first mindset 

• Confident, collaborative, and adaptable in dynamic environments 

• High level of professional integrity and accountability 

• Passion for mentoring and developing talent 

* Industry experience required: 

Payments and financial services experience  

Travel Requirements

Up to 20%

Available for Work Visa Sponsorship?

No

Job Posting End Date

March 31, 2026