Manager: Xtra Time at MTN

Mission/ Core purpose of the Job
Responsible for managing the Group-wide Xtratime product portfolio across Opcos. The roles is responsible to establish and manage strategic partnerships supporting the Xtratime business, and drive business growth. The Manager will be responsible for the implementation of best practices across the group and develop Xtratime products and services.

The Manager: Xtratime is also responsible for setting the overall product strategy and vision, ensuring timely and robust planning and execution through the product lifecycle; including, gathering and prioritizing product and customer requirements and finally ensuring the successful deployment of the product across Opcos.
Key Performance Areas: Core, essential responsibilities / outputs of the position (KPA's) 
Strategy Development and Implementation

• Contribute to the development of the functional strategy in line with the overarching business goals
• Manage implementation of the strategy by means of providing direction, structure, frameworks, models, plans and roadmaps to the Opcos
• Continuously ensure alignment of product strategy with the changing dynamics of the internal and external ecosystem
• Identify and assess new growth opportunities in the Xtratime space
• Together with key stakeholders and strategic partners, analyse the technological, business, and competitive landscape to support development of an effective Xtratime strategy

Operational Delivery

• Lead and manage the Xtratime Products portfolio as the Product Manager
• As the Product Manager balance business, technology and design priorities to deliver brand-defining product and service experiences
• Work with the Product Owner to convert the vision into a level of detail that the Product Owner and Agile delivery team can then prioritize as epics and features
• Manage and drive implementation of Group Finco’s Xtratime strategy
• Understand and map customer journeys through the Xtratime product development lifecycle
• Develop and deploy Xtratime product roadmap, in line with the overall Group strategy, and ensure appropriate prioritization of projects is undertaken by the Group and Opcos
• In collaboration with Marketing, develop Go to Market Strategies and Product Promotional Campaigns to drive performance. Provide guidance to Opcos where required
• Manage and continuously monitor operational plans to support effective implementation and delivery of the Xtratime product portfolio
• Lead and manage the development, implementation, measurement and reporting standards for effective tracking of Xtratime business performance
• Monitor revenue and cost for the Xtratime product portfolio to maintain profitability as per organization strategy and business plan
• Develop launch roadmap plans , GTM and best practice guidelines handbook to support Finco Opcos in launching and managing Xtratime offering within the territory with consideration but not limited to the below:

1. Relevance, accuracy, and effectiveness in targeting campaigns
2. KPIs and Performance management
3. Analytics & reporting
4. Pricing and offering
5. Contracting and partners management guidelines
6. Financial and P&L Management

• Responsible to improve performance and drive sustainable growth of Xtratime
• Review and identify key risks, issues, and dependencies and set mitigation actions across the product development and launch lifecycle
• Manage the end to end Xtratime product lifecycle and develop new products or services
• Support the identification and selection of technology, sales and commercial partners required to execute on the strategy
• Collaborate with the CVM teams to develop & analyze loyalty/reward programs and Campaigns
• Collaborate the Group Finco functions, Finco Opcos and partners through effective management of inter-functional relations and activities
• Oversee the monitoring and tracking of Xtratime & International Airtime products and services’ performance after launch
• Support Opcos to compile statistics and insights on product performance, working towards a near real time tracking capability, with weekly and monthly reporting periods
• Ensure maintenance of quality/process standards that will enhance the customer experience and cost efficiency
• Engage with Finco Opco counterparts to receive local market insights, new product requests, share Group Finco insights with respect to partnerships and alliances

Governance

Strategic Meetings

• Participate and provide input in strategic meetings
• Perform evaluation baseline of key performance indicators (KPIs)
• Request for relevant budget for internal projects and new initiatives
• Facilitate preparation of proposals on change initiatives, policies and procedures

Escalations

• Manage and resolve escalations that have impact on critical path of service delivery
• Escalate issues that will result in severe time, scope, productivity, and cost or resource or reputational impact
• Manage and provide solutions to escalations that have multiple processes / functions impact on critical path of service delivery
• Manage and provide solutions through stakeholder consultation where relevant

Function Tactical

• Prepare objectives, targets, and budgets as applicable
• Track key risks, issues and dependencies and set mitigation actions
• Facilitate sign-off / making decisions regarding tactical changes

Performance

• Execute performance and alignment with sub-functional strategy
• Collaborate with other functions within Group DigiFin

Reporting

• Report on a periodic basis to the Reporting Manager relating to progress made within the function and in accordance with the measurement metrics set by the organization
• Report on an ad hoc basis on specific projects, as required

Budgets

• Input to functional budgets in line with overall business objectives
• Input to project initiative budgets in line with business objectives
• Ensure that the cost of operations is reduced, in line with a least cost operating strategy stemming from the business drivers

Job Requirements (Education, Experience and Competencies) 
Education:

• 4 year Business Science. Engineering (or related) Degree
• Master’s in business administration/ relevant Master’s degree is advantageous
• Formal certification in Product Management / Product Owner, Agile Delivery, User Experience or other relevant fields would be beneficial

Experience:

• 5 years or more relevant work experience in Fintech /Financial Services
• At least 2-3 years’ experience in Mobile Money Product/Service Management
• Experience in Fintech Payments or Telecommunication industry will be useful
• Experience in managing and implementing innovative Fintech products and within the Telco, financial or banking industry
• Experience with Agile delivery and Development Operations frameworks
• Deep understanding of the Fintech ecosystem, players, business models and industry related best practices.
• Experience with Scrum and Agile Software Development Methodology
• Entrepreneurial spirit, self-driven and ability to motivate a fast-paced team
• Understanding emerging markets is advantageous
• Pan Africa multi-cultural experience is advantageous

Competencies:

Functional Knowledge:

• Fintech Products & Ecosystem
• Mobile Money
• Agile methodologies
• Definition and use-case modelling
• User story definition and refinement
• Agile software development processes and methods
• Business modelling
• Analytics/ AB/ multivariate testing and related tools
• Product Development
• Digital & Channel management
• Project Management

Skills

• Business Acumen
• Analytics and Interpretation
• Strategic Thinking
• Organizational Agility
• Digital mind-set
• Dealing with ambiguity and complexity
• Decision Making
• Conflict Management
• Negotiation
• Financial and Numerical
• Project Management

Behavioural Qualities

• Adaptable
• Complete candour
• Culturally aware
• Emotional Maturity
• Innovation
• Integrity
• Leadership
• Team Player