Jobs at CA Global

Job Description:

• Our client, one of Africa’s leading digital payments and commerce company’s, are looking for a Country General Manager to drive profitable growth and establish them as a leading player in the Fintech market of the designated country, as well as providing strategic leadership, operational excellence, stakeholder engagement, team empowerment, and ensuring compliance, ultimately contributing to their success, market share expansion, and sustainable development in the designated country.

Responsibilities:

• To develop and execute a business development, sales and delivery strategy for the designated country, that includes identifying key target segments, evaluating competitive landscape, and leveraging innovative Fintech solutions to gain a competitive edge in the market.
• To drive the expansion of their presence in the designated country by identifying new growth opportunities, assessing the feasibility of entering new markets, establishing strategic partnerships, and ensuring the successful execution of expansion plans.
• Partner with other executives and business leaders to develop and lead the implementation of a strategic executable plan to provide accurate business forecasting, and formulating commercial strategies to generate new revenue and customer relationships and partnerships in a manner that aligns with the their overall strategic objectives.
• To build and maintain strong relationships with key clients and stakeholders in the designated country, to understand their needs, collect feedback, and ensure exceptional customer satisfaction by delivering tailored Fintech solutions that address local market demands.
• To stay abreast of local regulatory requirements and ensure that their operations in the designated country comply with all relevant laws and regulations. Proactively engage with regulatory bodies to obtain necessary licenses and approvals.
• To serve as a representative in the designated country, acting as a brand ambassador at industry events, conferences, and networking opportunities.
• Promote their Fintech solutions, share thought leadership, and enhance their reputation in the local market.
• To provide strong leadership and direction to the Business Development, Sales and in country customer experience teams, fostering a high-performance culture, setting clear objectives, and empowering team members to excel in their roles.
• Create a collaborative and motivating work environment that encourages innovation, customer success and professional development.
• To collaborate effectively with various departments, in country and regionally, to ensure seamless coordination and alignment of efforts towards achieving their growth objectives in the designated country.
• Effectively communicate strategic shifts, manage any resistance, and ensure that the entire Sales, BD and Service Delivery teams are aligned with the commpany’s vision and objectives.
• Set and monitor performance metrics for the designated country, driving pipeline & revenue growth, profitability, and market share.
• Develop and execute financial plans, analyse results, and adapt strategies to achieve sustainable success.

Behavioral Competencies

• Formulates a clear Business Development, Sales and Delivery strategy for the designated country and maps the aggressive steps that will clearly accelerate the Country toward its strategic goals.
• Is early to spot possible future policies, practices, and trends in the Country, with the competition, and in the marketplace. Applies knowledge of business and the marketplace to advance the Country's goals. For example, ensures that the team understands and discusses relevant industry changes. Gives strong messages about how people's efforts make a difference to the broader East Africa Region.
• Steers the Country toward innovation, ensuring it stays at the forefront of Fintech developments. Tries multiple, varied approaches to innovative ideas and ensures the company’s product suite aligns with market needs and technological advancements.
• Sets stretch goals and objectives, pushing individuals or teams to perform at higher levels, by using a collaborative and inclusive leadership style that fosters teamwork, motivates employees, and encourages cross-functional collaboration, leading to a high-performing and cohesive Country team.
• Promotes a team environment that values, encourages, and supports differences and senses how differences will play out in terms of needs, values, and motivators.
• Identifies and monitors key financial indicators to gauge performance, identify
• trends, and suggest strategies that can impact results. Transforms financial information into business intelligence through analysis and integration of quantitative and qualitative information.
• Picks up on the need to change personal, interpersonal, and leadership behaviour quickly and seamlessly adapts style to fit the specific needs of others.
• Consults with a wide network of internal and external connections and works through formal and informal channels to build broad-based relationships and support.

Requirements: Qualification and Skill

• Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration, Finance, Information Technology, Computer Science, Economics, Marketing, or related fields from an accredited University.
• An advanced degree, e.g., Masters in Finance/Business/ Technology or related fields or MBA would be an added advantage for higher level of understanding in business, financial and technological aspects of the industry.

General Experience

• At least 12 years' experience in a C-suite or Senior Management role, preferably in a reputable Financial Institution or Fintech company, covering the aspects listed below:
• A solid understanding of the Fintech ecosystem, this includes experience in mobile banking, digital payments, blockchain, or any other Fintech innovation prevalent in designated country or East Africa
• Demonstrated experience in business development and sales, including business growth, market entry, and partnership cultivation experiences, in both financial services and technology is essential
• Proven track record of overseeing service delivery operations
• Experience in using and implementing modern digital tools and platforms that
• help in market analysis, partnership management and strategic planning will be crucial.
• Demonstrated experience in the East African financial market, understanding its unique challenges, opportunities, regulatory environment, customer behaviours, and cultural nuances is critical

Managerial Experience

• At least 8 to 10 years’ proven leadership experience, with at least 6 years spent in a C-suite or Senior Management role of developing, cultivating and leading high-performing business development, sales and delivery teams.
• Strategic decision-making experience is critical for formulating business growth strategies – demonstrated experience in strategic decisions that have led to growth, innovation, and market expansion.
• Demonstrated experience in liaising with senior stakeholders, both internally (C- suite, board members) and externally (partners, regulators, and government officials).
• Experience in overseeing multiple projects, ensuring they align with the company's strategic goals.
• Familiarity with financial laws and regulations, compliance, and risk management specific to designated country.
• Familiarity with key players, regulators, and potential partners in the East Africa Fintech ecosystem would also be critical.

If you wish to apply for the position please send your CV to Chalden Du Toit at cdutoit@caglobalint.com

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Job Description: 

• To drive the strategic evolution and innovation of the ISW product portfolios from Interswitch Group's business lines (i.e Purepay, PayToken, Paymate, Inclusio, Systegra, and Indeco) in East Africa, delivering customer-focused Fintech solutions that cater to emerging market demands and establish a leading presence in the Region's competitive Fintech landscape.

Licenses And Certifications:

Evidence of strong industry/sector participation and relevant professional certifications such as:

• Product Management certifications such as Certified Product Manager (AIPMM) or similar. In-depth knowledge of agile methodology & certification such as Professional Scrum Product Owner (PSPO), Certified Scrum Product Owner (CSPO), SAFe Agile Product Management (POPM/APM) or similar. In-depth Knowledge of Data Analysis & Structured Problem Solving. Innovation Management Certification from reputable institutions. Local Regulatory and compliance Certifications that is relevant to Fintech operations in East Africa, ensuring alignment with regional regulations. Lean Six Sigma Certification: LeanSix Sigma principles focus on eliminating waste (non-value-added activities) and reducing variation in processes, i.e. for process improvement, operational efficiency, and quality management. Given the dynamic nature of FinTech, streamlined and efficient processes can lead to quicker product deployments, reduced operational costs, and improved customer service.

Responsibilities:

• Lead the formulation of a comprehensive Product Management strategy and
• policy aligned with the ISW's growth objectives and market trends in East Africa.
• Collaborate with cross-functional teams to define, scope and prioritise new product development, upgrade existing features, suggest enhancements and new offerings.
• Collaborate with business development, sales, marketing, engineering and customer service teams to align new product developments and existing product enhancements with EA market demands and trends.
• Develop go-to-market strategies, including product positioning, marketing campaigns, and sales enablement, to ensure successful product launches and adoption.
• Conduct regular product portfolio assessments for Purepay, PayToken, Paymate, Inclusio, Systegra, and Indeco to determine enhancement opportunities, areas for new product development, and potential areas of retirement or consolidation.
• Establish product roadmaps with clear milestones, incorporating feedback from key stakeholders and considering both new product introductions and enhancements.
• Manage the entire product lifecycle, including planning, development, launch, and ongoing maintenance.
• Make data-driven decisions to optimise product performance, address issues, and drive continuous improvement.
• To provide strong leadership and direction to the Product Management & Innovation teams, fostering a high-performance culture, setting clear objectives, and empowering team members to excel in their roles.
• Oversee the end-to-end product management process, from concept ideation to prototyping, testing, QA and launch.
• Identify skills gaps within the Products and Innovation teams, particularly around new product development techniques, and champion continuous learning through workshops, courses, exchange programmes and certifications.
• Establish a mentorship programme to cultivate rising talent within the team and promote a culture of innovation and continuous improvement.
• Ensure alignment within the team around ISW's broader goals through regular alignment sessions and strategic discussions, encompassing both product enhancements and new product developments.
• Create a collaborative and motivating work environment that encourages innovation and professional development.
• To collaborate effectively with various departments, in country and regionally, to ensure seamless coordination and alignment of efforts towards achieving ISW's growth objectives in the Region.
• To lead organisational change initiatives, driving a culture of adaptability and agility.
• Effectively communicate strategic shifts, manage any resistance, and ensure that the entire team is aligned with ISW's vision and objectives.
• Oversee the Product Management & Innovation teams to drive innovations to stay ahead of Fintech trends, adopting or creating innovations that give the company a competitive edge.
• Drive innovation by identifying emerging customer needs, market opportunities, and technological advancements.
• Conduct market research, competitor analysis, and customer feedback analysis to inform product decisions.
• Monitor industry trends, regulatory changes, and customer preferences to maintain a deep understanding of the East African Fintech landscape to identify emerging Fintech opportunities for both product enhancements and new product creations.
• Collaborate with the research team to prototype innovative solutions based on identified market gaps and customer needs.
• Engage with industry think tanks, academia, and Fintech forums to stay updated and inspire the development and enhancement of product offerings.
• Foster robust collaboration between Product Managers, Operations & Technology, Business Development, Sales & Delivery and Marketing teams to ensure cohesive product development, enhancement, and deployment processes.
• Foster strong communication channels to align Product strategies with cross- functional goals.
• Coordinate with Legal and Risk & Compliance departments to guarantee that all products, whether newly developed or enhanced, meet relevant regulations and standards.
• Analyse product performance, revenue, costs, and profitability to inform pricing strategies and resource allocation.
• Collaborate with Finance to develop product-related budgets and financial forecasts.
• Organise and facilitate quarterly reviews with the Managing Director, Country General Managers and other Regional Heads to align product strategies, new product ideas, and gather feedback.
• Champion a customer-centric mindset, ensuring that products are designed to meet the unique needs and preferences of East African customers.
• Gather customer feedback and insights to iteratively improve products.
• Establish and oversee customer feedback channels for both enhancements of existing products and requirements for new product developments, using tools such as focus groups, surveys, and direct feedback mechanisms.
• Prioritise product developments and enhancements based on customer feedback, ensuring that the product team continuously innovates and refines offerings.
• Collaborate with the marketing team to effectively communicate changes, enhancements, and introductions of products to the customer base.

Behavioral Competencies

• Formulates a clear Product Management & Innovation strategy for the EA
• Region and maps the aggressive steps that will clearly accelerate the Region toward its strategic goals. Is the first to spot possible future Product Management & Innovation policies, practices, and trends in the Region, with the competition, and in the marketplace. Applies knowledge of business and the marketplace to advance the Region's goals. For example, ensures that the team understands and discusses relevant industry changes. Gives strong messages about how people's efforts make a difference to the broader East Africa Region.
• Steers the Region toward Product innovation, ensuring it stays at the forefront of Fintech developments. Tries multiple, varied approaches to innovative ideas and ensures the ISW product suite aligns with market needs and technological advancements.
• Sets stretch goals and objectives, pushing individuals or teams to perform at higher levels, by using a collaborative and inclusive leadership style that fosters teamwork, motivates employees, encourages cross-functional collaboration and values, encourages, and supports differences, leading to a high-performing and cohesive Regional Product Management & Innovation team.
• Identifies and monitors key financial indicators to gauge performance, identify trends, and suggest strategies that can impact results. Transforms financial information into business intelligence through analysis and integration of quantitative and qualitative information.
• Focuses efforts on continuous improvement; has a knack for identifying and seizing opportunities for synergy and integration. Separates and combines tasks into efficient and simple workflow and thinks about the whole system. Process optimisation through proficiency in analysing operational processes, identifying inefficiencies, and implementing optimisation strategies. Understanding of lean principles to streamline processes, minimise waste, and enhance operational efficiency.
• Experiments with a wide range of existing technologies while applying new and emerging options that can enhance organisational outcomes.
• Observes situational and group dynamics and selects best-fit approach. Picks up on the need to change personal, interpersonal, and leadership behaviour quickly and seamlessly adapts style to fit the specific needs of others.
• Consults with a wide network of internal and external connections and works through formal and informal channels to build broad-based relationships and support.

Education:

• Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration, Finance, Information Technology, Computer Science or related field from an accredited University.
• An advanced degree, e.g., Master’s in Innovation/Technology Management would be highly advantageous, or MBA would be preferred for higher level of understanding in business, financial and technological aspects of the industry.

Experience:

• At least 12 years' experience in a C-suite or Senior Management role, preferably in a reputable Financial Institution or Fintech company, covering the aspects listed below:
• A solid understanding of the Fintech ecosystem, this can include experience in mobile banking, digital payments, blockchain, or any other Fintech innovation prevalent in East Africa.
• Demonstrated experience in product or platform development and management.
• Deep familiarity with East African Fintech regulations with demonstrated experience in roles.
• Demonstrated experience in product management, especially in the Fintech sector.
• Knowledge of Platform strategy and how ISW can adopt it in East Africa to gain competitive advantage.
• Demonstrated experience in market analysis to identify and leverage trends, ensuring products remain or become market leaders.
• Demonstrated experience in roles focusing on innovation, ideally integrating innovation into existing product lines or creating novel Fintech products.
• Experience working across multiple jurisdictions is an added advantage.

Managerial Experience:

• At least 8 to 10 years’ proven leadership experience, with at least 6 years spent in a C-suite or Senior Management role of developing, cultivating and leading high-performing product management teams.
• Demonstrated experience in coordinating with Executive or Senior Management, external partners, and other stakeholders, ensuring product and innovation goals align with broader company objectives.
• Demonstrated experience of managing financial resources, ensuring product and innovation projects are delivered within allocated budgets.
• Strategic decision-making experience is critical for formulating strategies – demonstrated experience of strategic decisions that have led to growth, innovation, and market expansion.
• Demonstrated experience in the East African financial market, understanding its unique challenges, opportunities, regulatory environment, customer behaviours, and cultural nuances is critical.