Head of Payments-South Africa (SA) and West and Central Africa (WCA) at Citi

Job Description

• The Payments business is a key strength and differentiator for Citi, given the significant depth of the branch network and years of operating experience, many of them exceeding 100+ years. The Payments business intermediates and processes flows generated by Corporates, Banks, Financial Institutions and Governments.
• The depth of local operations coupled with years of experience dealing with regulators and multiple market participants, FMI and other network partners makes Citi’s Payments business market leading and amongst the largest in the industry. It is one of Citi’s Services most important business line.
• This is a Head of Payments role covering South Africa (SA) and the 5 West and Central Africa Countries (Cameroon, Congo, Gabon, Ivory Coast and Senegal). Working with the country Payments Product Managers, Services Heads and Cluster Payment teams, this role will be responsible for managing, developing, and growing our payments business in SA and WCA.
• This involves working with various local and regional internal partners (such Product, Sales, Coverage, Operations, Technology, Legal, Compliance and Finance) and external stakeholders including clients, regulators, and the banking community.

Responsibilities:

• This role is key to defend and grow Payment Revenues in SA and WCA
• Define and drive strategy to future-proof the Payments business involving digital receivables, wallets, CBDC which are key for success in these SSA markets
• The role will also focus on identifying and driving incremental Fee income across all segments
• Act as a Senior in engagements with key clients
• Proactively engage and take direct ownership and risk and control challenges in SA and WCA
• Directly own and manage Risk and Control processes, proactively
• Deliver a superior client experience driving Voice Of Client scores, reduce manual activity
• The Product Performance Management Group manager leads the overall performance of a given product suite and monitors performance drivers for the products and portfolios
• This position leads a team that is responsible for the ongoing performance and maintenance of a product or set of products, including client experience, pricing, risk and distribution
• Ensure sales and relationship managers are trained, and ready to identify client needs, and proposes solutions in line with business objectives
• Shape and implement performance improvement strategies, with a specific focus on cross-sell and integration, including the development of competitive analyses, market analyses, product development road maps, market plans, pricing strategies and product line extensions
• Partner closely with sales teams to identify client opportunities and with the client management organization to meet with prospective clients and to size new opportunities
• Gather market intelligence and develops sophisticated market sizing studies to identify the attractiveness of particular markets segments and product offerings
• Define and analyzes sector trends, opportunities and issues
• Represent customer needs and provide strategic direction on product development features, functionality and overall competitiveness
• Build consensus and awareness of value proposition throughout the organization and key partners
• Ensure products are well represented in the distribution channel and to drive various initiatives for growth in specific verticals
• Create business cases that will drive investment decisions
• Develop and enhances the Product Approval Program and related processes, ensures products are delivered and adhere to all parameters globally
• Collaborate with cross-functional teams, including technology, operations, legal, implementations, and sales to deliver solutions for Citi clients
• Produce sector-specific marketing material that will arm sales force with the tools necessary to grow Citi’s business
• Analyze product specific P&L's to ensure goals are being met
• Appropriately assess risk when business decisions are made, demonstrating particular consideration for the firm's reputation and safeguarding Citigroup, its clients and assets, by driving compliance with applicable laws, rules and regulations, adhering to Policy, applying sound ethical judgment regarding personal behavior, conduct and business practices, and escalating, managing and reporting control issues with transparency, as well as effectively supervise the activity of others and create accountability with those who fail to maintain these standards.

Qualifications:

• 12+ years of experience, including 8-10+ years' managerial experience
• Demonstrated experience in Product Management and/or Product Development discipline
• Proven track record of success in positions requiring financial acumen
• Experience with and confidence in delivering presentations to clients and senior managers
• Prior ownership and management of a P&L
• Advanced judgment and in-depth quantitative or qualitative analysis to solve problems and develop new, innovative solutions
• Deep, broad and diverse functional experience (e.g., marketing, product development and analytics) with a track record of driving business innovation and leveraging management information and data analytics to drive results
• Proven track record as an action-oriented individual who has led cross-functional teams to define and achieve high value business objectives and ability to work independently, with follow through and capable of owning and managing projects from end-to-end;
• Demonstrated ability to synthesize, prioritize and drive results with a sense of urgency, outstanding strategic, analytical, and critical thinking skills, and an ability to innovate and problem solve
• Possesses strategic, analytical, and critical thinking skills with a demonstrated ability to innovate and problem solve
• Significant experience in serving a range of clients, in understanding investment processes across asset classes and in dealing with the highest level of management
• Proven analytical, presentation and communication skills with an ability to explain complex concepts in a compelling way
• Product development skills and a commercial acumen with a proven track record of successfully bringing products to market
• Exceptional interpersonal skills with ability to influence and build consensus
• Demonstrated experience in Product Management and/or Product Development discipline
• Proven track record of success in positions requiring financial acumen
• Product development skills and a commercial acumen with a proven track record of successfully bringing products to market
• Presentation Skills - confident presenting to both small and large groups of people – often senior management within the client’s organization.
• Project Management – focused on detail, co-ordinate multiple teams to meet the project objectives.
• Analytical & well organized - able to multi-task effectively and work well under pressure.
• Strong desire to learn new products and be part of a winning team
• Excellent interpersonal, communication skills and teamwork

Education:

• Bachelor’s/University degree, Master’s degree preferred