Senior Manager: Open Banking at MTN

Mission/ Core purpose of the Job

The SM is responsible to lead and manage the development of Advanced Banking & Financial Products for the Financial institutions & finance industry segment. The role aims at enriching the fintech product suite through the development & delivery of products or services, APIs, features & other collaboration models with the finance industry in order to develop the Financial Product portfolio. The role is also responsible for defining and driving the implementation of the Industry driven Banking portfolio & its implementation across Opcos.

The role will lead the following work areas

• MTN Fintech Asset valorisation
• Decentralized finance
• Leveraging partners licenses & assets
• Interoperability models
• Other services defined with the SM Financial Products & Portfolio Development

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 Open Banking space
• Together with key stakeholders and strategic partners, analyse the technological, business, and competitive landscape to support development of an effective Open Banking strategy

Operational Delivery

• Lead and manage the Open banking portfolio as the Product Owner
• Conceptualize , develop and ensure delivery of Open Banking products & Services that relates to:
• MTN Fintech Asset valorisation
• Decentralized finance
• Leveraging partners licenses & assets
• Interoperability models
• Other services defined with the SM Financial Products & Portfolio Development
• Generate and manage business development opportunities (originating, structuring, executing) with high-growth global, regional, or local players across multiple sectors
• Lead the business and the relationship development with prospective clients
• Lead negotiations, complex decision-making process and closing deals with global financial institutions and the sale of additional services to them
• Define, plan & execute with OPCOs program to improve MTN Fintech asset valorisation, including float monetization
• Oversee the development of decentralized finance
• Lead the business and the relationship development with business partner prospects & regulators. Align objectives, priorities, and resources between Finco and relevant partners
• Oversee the implementation of the Open Banking strategy
• Develop comprehensive operational plans to support effective implementation and delivery of the Open Banking strategy, and manage the execution with OPCOs
• Oversee the development, implementation, measurement and reporting standards for effective tracking of Open Banking product performance with OPCOs
• Define best practice guidelines handbook to support Finco OpCos in launching and managing the Open Banking Financial Services offering within the territory with consideration but not limited to the below:
• Relevance, accuracy, and effectiveness of the sales plan
• KPIs and Performance management
• Analytics & reporting
• Value proposition, including pricing and offering
• Contracting and partners management guidelines
• Identify future challenges and opportunities; and identify trends to develop new models and frameworks to improve performance and drive sustainable growth
• Continuously improve Group Finco and its Opcos strategic and operational plans
• Manage the end to end product development lifecycle and ensure integration with the existing product suite across Finco
• Set & monitor KPIs and provide regular performance feedback through a well-defined and implemented performance review programme across Opcos
• 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

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

• Continually develop a culture of strong collaboration and effective team working
• Provide guidance and leadership ensuring future focus and current efficiency
• Coach and mentor direct reports to ensure staff motivation is high
• Ensure adequate succession planning & that succession plans are achieved
• Set KPIs and provide regular performance feedback through a well-defined and implemented performance review program
• Ensure the effective management of diversity among personnel in the division
• Identify staff training and development needs and implement necessary actions
• Manage team (including recruitment, on boarding, attrition)
• Recruit and build a world class product team

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 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 industry with focus in products development
• At least 3-4 years’ experience in Fintech / Banking / financial product development & management
• Proven experience in developing Open Banking products & Services
• Experience in financial sector policy management is a plus
• Manager track record of 3-4 years or more
• Experience in leading and implementing advanced banking & financial services products and within the Telco, financial or banking industry
• Experience with Agile delivery and Development Operations frameworks
• Deep understanding of the Banking, Investment & 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
• Open Banking ecosystem
• Advanced Banking Products
• Business Development
• Payments Ecosystem
• Product Development
• Digital & Channel management
• GTM strategy
• 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
• Leadership & People Management
• Project Management
• Executive Presentation

Behavioural Qualities

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