Senior Manager: International Payments at MTN

Mission/ Core purpose of the Job
Responsible for defining and implementing the Fintech International settlement offering. the SM is responsible to define, design, launch and manage the international settlement offering with the supporting strategic partnerships. The SM: International  Payment 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

• Support and contribute to the development of the functional strategy in line with the overarching business goals
• Ensure effective implementation of the strategy by means of providing direction, structure, frameworks, models, plans and roadmaps
• Conduct regular review of the functional strategy and roadmap to ensure its alignment with the changing dynamics of the internal and external ecosystem
• Identify and assess new growth opportunities in the International settlements space
• Together with key stakeholders and strategic partners, analyse the technological, business, and competitive landscape to support development of an effective International settlements strategy

Operational Delivery

• Lead and manage the International settlement product portfolio as the Product Owner
• Drive and oversee the International settlement sales & bundling to Fintech & other MTN GSM partners.
• Develop comprehensive operational plans including all the necessary stakeholders to support effective implementation and delivery of the International settlement strategy, and oversee their execution across Group Finco
• Oversee the development, implementation, measurement and reporting standards for effective tracking of International settlements business performance across Group Finco
• Identify, implement & manage the risk framework around international settlement offering
• Operationalize the international settlement offering through

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

• Identify future challenges and opportunities; and identify trends to develop new models, new process, new technologies to improve performance and drive sustainable growth of International settlements
• Continuously improve Group Finco and its OpCo’s strategic and operational plans to achieve International settlements objectives
• Oversee International settlements product lifecycle and develop new products or services
• Set & monitor KPIs and provide regular performance feedback through a well-defined and implemented performance review programme
• Define and monitor relevant performance metrics and indicators to drive performance within various Finco OpCos and at Group Finco level
• Continuously monitor progress on targets, define and implement appropriate recommendation of corrective actions to be taken when and where necessary
• Lead the identification and selection of technology, sales and commercial partners required to execute on the strategy
• Ensure synergy across the Group Finco functions, Finco OpCos and partners through effective management of inter-functional relations and activities
• Oversee the monitoring and tracking of International settlements products and services’ performance after launch
• Ensure Group Finco support to Finco OpCos to collate reports and compile statistics and insights on product performance, working towards a near real time tracking capability, with weekly and monthly reporting periods
• Lead the establishment and 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
• Ensure customer needs and requirements are satisfied through appropriate systems, processes, and procedures

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

• 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

• Review all projects initiated (internal or global)
• Prepare objectives, targets, and budgets as applicable
• Review key risks, issues and dependencies and set mitigation actions
• Sign off and Facilitate sign-off / making decisions regarding tactical changes

Performance

• Monitor and analyse products performance trends from financial, competitive, and operational perspectives
• Monitor performance and alignment with Finco global strategy
• Ensure alignment between and across other functions within the Group Finco team

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

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

Managerial / Supervisory Responsibilities
Responsibility towards: 

1. Key external stakeholders: External contractors & partners
2. Key internal stakeholders:
3. Group Finco verticals
4. Finco Opcos

Job Requirements (Education, Experience and Competencies) 
Education:

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

Experience:

• Minimum of 7 years of experience in banking, Fintech Payments or Telecommunication industry
• At least 3-4 years’ experience in Fintech / financial product development & management
• Proven experience in International settlements, complex treasury management, foreign currency management
• Manager track record of 3-4 years or more
• Experience in leading 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.
• Understanding emerging markets advantageous
• Worked across diverse cultures and geographies
• Pan Africa multi-cultural experience is advantageous
• Entrepreneurial spirit, self-driven and ability to motivate a fast-paced team
• Attitude of Innovation, inventiveness and thought leadership
• Abreast of global mind-set and best practice
• Willing and flexible to travel within Africa and Middle East
• English speaker. French, Portuguese, Zulu, Swahili, and other African languages a plus

Competencies:

Functional Knowledge:

• Fintech Products & Ecosystem
• Mobile Money
• International settlements
• Baking Ecosystem & Products
• Banking Regulations & Laws
• Product Development
• Digital & Channel management
• Project Management
• Agile delivery and Development Operations frameworks

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