Head of Finance, Africa

About Zipline

Do you want to change the world? Zipline is on a mission to transform the way goods move. Our aim is to solve the world’s most urgent and complex access challenges by building, manufacturing and operating the first instant delivery and logistics system that serves all humans equally, wherever they are. From powering Rwanda’s national blood delivery network and Ghana’s COVID-19 vaccine distribution, to providing on-demand home delivery for Walmart, to enabling healthcare providers to bring care directly to U.S. homes, we are transforming the way things move for businesses, governments and consumers. The technology is complex but the idea is simple: a teleportation service that delivers what you need, when you need it. Through our technology that includes robotics and autonomy, we are decarbonizing delivery, decreasing road congestion, and reducing fossil fuel consumption and air pollution, while providing equitable access to billions of people and building a more resilient global supply chain.

Join Zipline and help us to make good on our promise to build an equitable and more resilient global supply chain for billions of people.

About You and The Role

As Head of Finance for Zipline Africa, you will be a core member of Zipline’s Africa Leadership Team, responsible for driving financial strategy, operational efficiency, and growth initiatives across our Africa operations. Reporting into our US-based Global Head of Finance, you will work closely with our local finance and accounting teams to ensure Zipline’s financial health and scalability across multiple African markets.

This role requires a seasoned finance leader with international experience and expertise in managing the financial complexities of scaling a high-growth, operations-intensive business. You will be instrumental in developing strategic analyses to enhance profitability and scalability for Zipline’s Platform 1 business in Africa.

The location of this position is flexible: Based in Rwanda, Ghana, Kenya, Nigeria, Cote d’Ivoire or remote with significant travel to those countries

What You'll Do

Financial Strategy & Leadership

• Act as a strategic partner to Zipline’s Africa leadership team, advising on financial planning, investment decisions, and business growth initiatives.

• Lead financial forecasting, budgeting, and performance analysis to optimize financial resources and ensure the sustainability of Zipline’s Africa operations.

• Identify and implement cost-saving and efficiency strategies to improve profitability while maintaining operational excellence.

• Develop long-term financial models to assess different market strategies and guide expansion efforts.

Accounting & Compliance

• Partner with local accounting teams to improve financial reporting accuracy, streamline processes, and ensure timely financial close cycles.

• Work with Zipline’s US-based finance leadership to standardize financial practices across global operations.

• Participate in audit processes and liaise with regulatory bodies to ensure transparency and compliance.

• Coordinate with local and US-based Tax advisors to ensure Tax compliance across entities

Operational Finance & Business Partnering

• Serve as a financial thought leader for Zipline’s operations in Africa, helping local teams navigate financial complexities and drive sustainable growth.

• Partner with engineering, supply chain, logistics, and deployment teams to ensure cost-effective operations and strong unit economics.

• Work closely with government, donor and commercial partners to structure financially viable contracts and partnerships.

Scaling & Profitability of Zipline’s Business

• Conduct strategic financial analysis to enhance the scalability and profitability of Zipline’s Platform 1 operations in Africa.

• Develop insights into market expansion opportunities, pricing strategies, and operational efficiencies to drive sustainable business growth.

• Collaborate with cross-functional teams to assess the financial feasibility of launching new products and services in Africa.

• Develop roadmaps and strategies for Zipline to launch Platform 2 in Africa

What You'll Bring

• 8+ years of experience in finance, including 2+ years in a financial leadership role within a multinational or high-growth company.

• Knowledge of accounting principals and direct experience working with IFRS and local accounting regulations in African markets.

• Experience managing financial operations for an international company with African market exposure.

• Proven ability to partner with in-country finance and accounting teams while partnering with global finance leadership.

• Excellent financial modeling, forecasting, and strategic analysis skills.

• Experience working with operations-heavy businesses (e.g., supply chain, logistics, or manufacturing).

• Ability to influence executive stakeholders and work cross-functionally across finance, operations, and commercial teams.

• Strong communication and leadership skills, with the ability to operate in fast-paced and evolving markets.

What Else You Need to Know

Zipline is an equal opportunity employer and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race, color, ancestry, national origin, religion or religious creed, mental or physical disability, medical condition, genetic information, sex (including pregnancy, childbirth, and related medical conditions), sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, age, marital status, military or veteran status, citizenship, or other characteristics protected by state, federal or local law or our other policies.

We value diversity at Zipline and welcome applications from those who are traditionally underrepresented in tech. If you like the sound of this position but are not sure if you are the perfect fit, please apply!

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Please Note

We have received reports stating that certain individuals are reaching out to people under false pretenses, claiming to be Zipline employees, affiliates, agents, or representatives. They may seek to gain access to your personal information or to acquire money from you by offering fictitious employment opportunities or by claiming that they are contacting you on Zipline’s behalf.

Genuine Zipline employees or representatives will never ask you for money or payment in exchange for employment opportunities or other related services. Any such offer of employment or any other service in exchange for fees that claims to be from us is deceitful and part of a fraud.

If you believe you have been targeted by a fraudulent party, we ask that you immediately get in touch with us via email at [email protected] upon receiving a suspicious offer or claim.