Project Lead - Digital Platforms Kenya/Africa at Standard Chartered Bank Kenya

The Role Responsibilities

Business

• Focussing on Kenya and then other Africa markets, Build and Lead the development of the SME service offering for SC Ventures multi-market expansion strategy. Identify and motivate strategic and tactical solutions in collaboration with relevant Leads in SC Ventures at AME and Global level.
• Develop and manage the expansion of the SME client segment strategies, as part of the SC Ventures framework within which the client segments and product groups operate.
• Leadership role within SME platform focused subsidiaries in Kenya and other Africa countries executing approved strategy, mentorship and implementing the operational framework.
• Spearheading the assigned SME ventures initiatives building relationships to support their creation, motivating SC Ventures funding as well as external equity funding in the case of Joint Venture initiatives.
• Agree to overall financial and non-financial targets, as proposed by Venture Leads and Country/Regional CEO’s and provide progress reviews against those targets in line with the SC Ventures framework.
• Develop Objective Key Results for the SME platform Ventures and execute accordingly.

Specific Responsibilities

Overall

• The Project Lead for digital platforms will have primary responsibility for building Business Venture(s) that solve the growth pain-points of Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs), with a focus on Kenya and other footprint Africa markets.
• Rapidly build scale by stitching key partnerships and leveraging the Standard Chartered franchise and its convening power. The brand for the venture is SOLV and our brand promise is ‘Growth Simplified’. The open digital marketplace will help SMEs ‘connect’ with clients, ‘access’ finance and ‘simplify’ business operations all under a single platform subject to respective country legal and regulatory frameworks
• Venture will adopt three principles (1) keep client needs and experience at the core (2) have bias for execution and speed and pivot based on market response, and (3) build in phases as partners, services, markets get added
• Solutioning, prototyping and launch of MVPs this role will look to identify opportunities for the SCV platform to introduce the SME service offering in Kenya/Africa markets. Spotting opportunities for SCV to build, invest and partner through building strategic relationships across new the SME ecosystem.
• Engage with relevant Standard Chartered business units (RMs and Unit Heads, CEOs), Technology SMEs, Compliance as well as external regulatory agencies.

Marketing Scouting

• Be the prime interface to the FinTech & SME landscape, regulatory agencies with the target to find the right outside solutions for internal challenges.  In that capacity, this role will build and maintain a network to connect with relevant stakeholders. Speaking engagements, conference participation and such other suitable engagement.

Processes

• Act as the Process Owner for processes belonging to SME entities as agreed from time to time.
• Ensure effective management of operational risks within the role remit and compliance with applicable internal policies, and external laws and regulation.

People and Talent

• Lead by example and build the appropriate culture and values. Set appropriate tone and expectations for the team and when working in collaboration with internal and external partners.
• Employ, engage, and retain staff with the appropriate skills, experience, values and behaviour to deliver the strategy.
• Ensure the provision of ongoing training and development; ensure that staff are suitably skilled and qualified for their roles and that they have effective supervision in place to mitigate any risks.
• Set and monitor job descriptions and objectives for direct reports and provide performance coaching to assist them in their roles.
• Create a motivational and challenging environment for staff which is conducive to creativity and delivery of the strategy.

Risk Management

• Ensure direct reports adhere to Policies and Procedures related to Technology & Innovation.
• Act and escalate quickly when any risk and control weakness become apparent and ensure they are addressed within an appropriate timeframe and escalated through the relevant committees.
• Work with SCV colleagues to deliver expected business performance results within cost constraints and applicable risk/ control framework to ensure that the Group’s ability to remain within risk appetite is not materially threatened.

Governance

• Ensuring appropriate governance structures and measures are in place.
• Have an awareness and understanding of the regulatory framework in which the Group operates, and the regulatory requirements and expectations relevant to the role.

Regulatory & Business Conduct

• Display exemplary conduct and live by the Group’s Values and Code of Conduct.
• Take personal responsibility for embedding the highest standards of ethics, including regulatory and business conduct, across Standard Chartered Bank. This includes understanding and ensuring compliance with, in letter and spirit, all applicable laws, regulations, guidelines and the Group Code of Conduct.
• Effectively and collaboratively identify, escalate, mitigate and resolve risk, conduct and compliance matters.
• Additionally, for subsidiaries or relevant non-subsidiaries
• Exercise authorities delegated by the Board of Directors and act in accordance with Articles of Association (or equivalent). 

Key Stakeholders

• Global Head, SME Portfolio Expansion SC Ventures Global Head,
• SC Ventures Lead Africa Middle East

Other Responsibilities

• Work closely with Regional/ Business CEOs, key country CEOs, and key business / product stakeholders as appropriate, to ensure the relevance of the SCB innovation strategy to SCB’s key local markets.

Our Ideal Candidate

Knowledge & Skills

Knowledge

• Expertise in the Group’s products and offerings.
• Understanding and appreciation for the complexities of the Group’s footprint.
• Understanding of the impact of innovation technology in Financial Services.
• Knowledge of the FinTech ecosystem globally, inclusive of BlockChain, Digital Payments, Primer.
• Services and Transaction Banking Enhancements, as well as other innovations in this space.
• Connected to external Innovation leaders at start-ups; as well as at established Financial, Digital, SME and Insurance platforms.

Personal Capabilities

• Imaginative and creative approach to how we do work.
• Curiosity about new technologies, workflows, and products.
• Ability to see things from multiple perspectives, as well as ask the question “why” continuously.
• Tireless work ethic and enthusiasm to execute and get things done.

Apply now to join the Bank for those with big career ambitions.