Sub-Sahara Africa Payments and Receivables Head at Citi

The Role Purpose

This role is responsible for executing P& R strategy within Sub Sahara Africa, and reports into TTS Head SSA.The position is critical to enlivening and executing the Global PnR transformation strategy, which seeks to build relevant new payments and collections propositions with a digital-first approach, by harnessing the use of various technologies and trends (big data, cloud, mobile, AI, etc) to materially transform client experience .The role requires a good understanding of  Bank’s infrastructure and process flows and the Financial Market infrastructures of the countries in the cluster.The role will drive innovation through Partnerships that expedite time to market and increases revenue trajectory from clients. Further, the position takes lead in prioritizing investment spend and strategy for incremental and strategic innovation.The role is critical to ensuring robust support of the in-country product management teams with critical subject matter expertise, development of talent and management of various product risks. The role also ensures better connectivity between the Cluster and Regional teams by bringing to the Regional team's table important and emerging client, competitive & market developments which present new opportunities for Citi.

This role translates a good understanding of the key trends in the payments  industry, direct competitors' products and services into identification of growth opportunity for Citi. It is a role that requires high levels of strategic communication on progress and priorities, to negotiate and influence at senior levels, as well as to champion and enthuse the SSA cash team in ensuring focused execution. The role is responsible for end results: - meaning budgeting, planning, policy influencing. The role is also critical to managing operational risk in partnership with operations and technology, particularly in the areas of regulatory change and attendant risks, and cyber-risk and its impact of these risks on product design and performance. The role also provides critical governance oversight and risk management through processes like NPAC , MCA, PAP and Capabilities management, etc. Role also manages Cluster Senior Product talent, and in-country Product Managers and carries out performance evaluations, hiring, etc.

Key Responsibilities:

• Leads the overall performance of payments & receivables product suite, and monitors performance drivers for the products and portfolios
• Manages the investment spend strategy and process for incremental and strategic projects
• Leads a team that is responsible for the ongoing performance and maintenance of P& R products, including client experience, pricing, risk and distribution
• Ensures robust connectivity between the cluster and the regional product teams, by communicating important & emerging client, market, regulatory and strategic developments from the cluster to the region, and from the region and global teams, into the cluster teams.
• Ensures sales and relationship managers are trained, and ready to identify client needs, and proposes solutions in line with business objectives
• Shapes and implements 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
• Champions change by leading innovation through Partnerships and Alliances to quicken time to market and revenue
• Keeps abreast of important developments in financial market infrastructures in the cluster, and shapes Citi's position and voice to achieve progressive development
• Provides subject matter expertise and leadership to in-country product leads, through consistent coaching & upskilling, exposure to new solutions, product risk management
• Partners closely with sales teams to identify client opportunities and with the client management organization to meet with prospective clients and to size new opportunities
• Gathers market intelligence and develops sophisticated market sizing studies to identify the attractiveness of particular markets segments and product offerings
• Defines and analyzes sector trends, opportunities and issues, and creates business cases to drive investment decisions.
• 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
• Ensures products are well represented in the distribution channel and to drive various initiatives for growth in specific verticals
• Develops and enhances Product Approval Programs and related processes, ensures products are delivered and adhere to all parameters globally
• Collaborates with cross-functional teams, including technology, operations, legal, implementations, and sales to deliver solutions for Citi clients
• Analyzes vertical/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.

Developmental Value:

• Manage and coordinate the complexities of multiple geographies and diverse cultures, while leading seasoned leaders. Strong pathway to Regional Product or TTS Cluster leadership opportunity. Exposures to senior stakeholders, influencing strategic thinking and direction.

Knowledge/Experience:

• 15+ years of experience, including 8+ years' in leadership or managerial roles
• Demonstrated experience in Product Management and/or Product Development discipline
• Exceptional understanding of Cash products particularly those in the PnR product suite,
• Experience in and understanding of new technology  developments, their applications  and how those  enable product delivery
• Deep understanding of PnR/ banking products, banking infrastructure and processes
• Deep understanding of financial markets infrastructure , regulatory landscape and important emerging developments.
• Experience or understanding of e-commerce solution capabilities advantageous
• 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 budgetary process, as well as  P&L with a proven track record as an action oriented individual, with an ability to synthesize, prioritize, and drive financial results with urgency, and strategic analytical & critical thinking skills.
• Proven ability to spot and develop opportunities to build alliances and partnerships so as to drive  innovative solutions ,
• Deep, broad and diverse functional experience (e.g., marketing, credit, acquisitions, product development and analytics) with a strong 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;
• Significant experience in serving a range of clients and in dealing with senior levels of client 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.

Skills:

• Exceptional speaking and written communication skills.
• Strong listening skills and ability to influence key stakeholders.
• Exhibits credibility, flexibility and authenticity when communicating with clients, employees, internal partners, regulators, media, and other key stakeholders.
• Proven track record of developing and executing business growth strategies

Competencies:

• Technical Competencies
• Strategic Communication and Influencing
• Risk, Finance and Controls
• Governance and Culture

Qualifications:

• Minimum Bachelor’s degree, further education and/or Masters degree preferred;