Jacqui De Jager

I am a Senior Finance Manager at Eversheds Sutherland, leading financial operations across the Benelux region. My role focuses on driving performance, improving billing and cash collection processes, and strengthening financial controls. I work closely with senior stakeholders to support strategic decision-making, enhance profitability, and develop junior team members. Alongside delivering high-quality financial reporting, I have led process improvements following the transition to centralised finance hubs. I am now exploring freelance opportunities where I can apply my expertise in financial management, process optimisation, and business partnering to help organisations improve efficiency, scalability, and financial performance.

I began my international journey with White & Case, relocating from Johannesburg to Brussels to take on a Finance Manager role supporting the European business. This move marked a significant step in my career, expanding my exposure to cross-border financial operations, multi-jurisdictional compliance, and working within a global professional services environment.

In this role, I was responsible for core financial management, including accounting, reporting, audit coordination, and statutory requirements, while partnering closely with senior stakeholders to support business performance. I developed a strong ability to operate in a fast-paced, high-performance culture, balancing technical accuracy with commercial awareness.

I am recognised as a finance professional who brings structure, ownership, and clarity to complex environments. I am proactive, detail-oriented, and solutions-driven, with a natural ability to build trust and credibility across teams. I take pride in not just reporting numbers, but in understanding the story behind them and using that insight to drive better decisions, improve processes, and support sustainable growth.

I started my career as a Finance Manager at Spoor & Fisher in Johannesburg, where I built a strong foundation in financial management within a professional services environment. I was responsible for overseeing the full finance function, including accounting, financial reporting, budgeting, and compliance. This role gave me hands-on exposure to managing financial operations end-to-end, ensuring accuracy, efficiency, and strong internal controls.

Working closely with partners and business leaders, I developed a commercial understanding of how financial performance links to operational decision-making. I supported budgeting processes, monitored performance against targets, and helped drive improvements in financial discipline and reporting standards.

This experience shaped my approach as a finance professional—detail-focused, accountable, and solutions-driven. I learned the importance of reliability, clear communication, and taking ownership in a fast-paced environment. It also built my confidence in managing complexity and laid the groundwork for my progression into more senior, international roles.