Role purpose:
Reporting to the M-PESA Safaricom CEO, the Executive Head of M-PESA Products will lead the delivery, strategy, and technological advancements of M-PESA product strategy. The role is centered around augmenting the platform's ability to provide state-of-the-art Fintech solutions, driving innovation, maintaining operational excellence, and guiding expansion and partnership initiatives.
This position demands a mix of technological insights, operational expertise, and strategic foresight to successfully steer through the fast-changing fintech ecosystem. It requires a profound grasp of market trends and consumer preferences, leveraging analytics for informed decision-making.
Role description:
• Strategic Direction: Develop a comprehensive strategic plan that outlines the future direction of M-PESA products, focusing on expanding the service's reach, enhancing user interfaces, and ensuring scalability. This involves conducting market analysis, identifying emerging trends, and setting long-term goals to solidify M-PESA's position as a leader in Fintech industry in Ethiopia.
• Lead Innovation within M-PESA: Act as the principal driver of innovation, constantly seeking and integrating cutting-edge technological advancements to refine and expand M-PESA's suite of services. This role entails staying informed about global fintech innovations, evaluating their applicability to M-PESA, and overseeing the development and implementation of new features that meet evolving customer needs.
• Operational Excellence: Oversee the entire products delivery infrastructure of M-PESA to ensure it operates at peak efficiency, reliability, and security in collaboration with MPESA IT team. Tasks include adoption of Agile methodology for product deliverym regular products reviews, process optimization, risk management, and the implementation of best practices in technology management. The aim is to provide a seamless and secure user experience that maintains high standards of service quality.
• Regulatory Compliance: Maintain an in-depth understanding of the regulatory landscape affecting mobile money and ensure that M-PESA adheres to all local and international regulations. This responsibility involves liaising with regulatory bodies where applicable, staying ahead of changes in legislation, and implementing compliance strategies that protect both the platform and its users.
• Promote Growth and Strategic Partnerships: Identify and pursue strategic partnerships and market opportunities that will drive the growth of M-PESA. This includes negotiating with potential partners, exploring new geographical markets, and developing new payment products and services that cater to unmet customer needs, thereby expanding M-PESA’s market relevance.
• Financial Management: Take charge of the financial strategy for M-PESA products operations, including budgeting, financial forecasting, revenue tracking, and cost management. This role involves analyzing financial performance, identifying areas for financial improvement, and ensuring that M-PESA's financial goals are met or exceeded.
• Team Management: Build, mentor, and lead a team of professionals dedicated to sustaining the operational, strategic, and innovative goals of M-PESA. This includes setting clear performance expectations, providing ongoing feedback and development opportunities, and creating an environment that encourages innovation and excellence.
Key performance indicators:
• Manage and continuously adapt MPESA product portfolio adopting agile delivery method
• Collaborate across divisions to involve users, partners and customer feedback along with the product delivery process
• Build a team of Fintech specialists able to drive product innovation for MPESA and for Ethiopia’s Fintech industry
Core competencies, knowledge and experience:
• The ideal candidate for this role must have experience in managing a broad portfolio of mobile money/Fintech products/solutions entire lifecycle; with demonstrated leadership in new product development and deployment.
• A minimum of a Bachelor's degree in Finance, Business, Technology, or related fields; an MBA or equivalent is highly desirable.
• Over 6 years of experience in mobile payments, fintech, or related financial services, with significant leadership experience.
• Demonstrated expertise in payment system technologies, mobile money platforms, and digital financial services.
• Strong business acumen, with a track record of strategic planning and execution leading to significant business growth.
• Exceptional leadership qualities, with the ability to motivate and manage teams across diverse geographical locations.
• In-depth knowledge of regulatory standards governing mobile payments and financial services.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, capable of building strong relationships with internal and external stakeholders.
• Proven ability to operate effectively in a dynamic, fast-paced environment
How To Apply
If you feel that you are up to the challenge and possess the necessary qualification and experience, kindly proceed to update your candidate profile on the career portal and then Click on the apply button. Remember to attach your resume.
The closing date for receiving applications is Friday, 21st February 2025, 5:30 pm.