Product Manager- Finserve

Purpose: To shape and drive the development of innovative digital financial products across all our business arms including but not limited to mobile money, MVNO, and e-commerce platforms.

Their primary focus will be on delivering seamless, customer-centric solutions that expand financial inclusion and enhance the overall digital experience for customers across our target markets in the Kenya/ Group.

The position will serve as a catalyst for innovation, leveraging technology and market insights to deliver impactful digital solutions tailored to the needs of diverse customer segments.

Key Responsibilities:

1. Product Strategy, and Roadmap

• Develop and maintain a comprehensive product roadmap, balancing innovation with business priorities and resource constraints.
• Identify and prioritize opportunities for growth and differentiation in collaboration with leadership.

2. Cross-Functional Leadership

• Drive collaboration across all business functions including IT, design, data science, marketing, sales, and operations teams to ensure smooth product development and delivery.
• Foster a culture of accountability and high performance within cross-functional teams.
• Serve as the product’s primary advocate, ensuring alignment and effective communication between all stakeholders.

3. Market Research and Competitive Analysis

• Conduct in-depth market analysis to identify emerging trends, customer needs, and competitive gaps.
• Leverage insights from customers, stakeholders, and the market to inform product strategy and innovation.
• Monitor competitive landscape and anticipate shifts in the market to proactively adapt strategies.

4. 4. User Experience and Customer Insights

• Act as the voice of the customer by incorporating user feedback into the product lifecycle.
• Work closely with UX/UI designers to create intuitive and engaging experiences that drive adoption and retention.
• Continuously test and refine the product to optimize user satisfaction and usability.

5. Product Development and Innovation

• Oversee the entire product lifecycle, from ideation to launch and iteration.
• Lead experimentation and prototyping to validate new ideas and concepts before scaling.
• Partner with engineering to deliver high-quality products on time and within budget.

6. Go-to-Market (GTM) Strategy and Execution

• Develop and implement effective GTM strategies, including positioning, pricing, and launch plans.
• Collaborate with marketing, sales, and operations to drive product adoption and revenue growth.
• Train internal teams and create materials to ensure successful product launches and ongoing success.

7. Performance Tracking and Data-Driven Decision Making

• Define and track key performance indicators (KPIs) to measure product success and impact.
• Analyze data to identify areas for improvement, optimize performance, and inform future initiatives.
• Prepare regular reports and presentations for stakeholders, showcasing product progress and impact.

8. 8. Regulatory Compliance and Risk Management

• Ensure all products meet regulatory standards and compliance requirements in relevant markets.
• Proactively identify and mitigate potential risks to maintain trust and product integrity.
• Collaborate with legal and compliance teams to address emerging regulatory needs.

9. Revenue Growth and Profitability

• Develop strategies to maximize product revenue, profitability, and market share.
• Identify opportunities for monetization, including subscription models, partnerships, and upselling strategies.
• Collaborate with finance and leadership teams to align product initiatives with business objectives.

10. 10. Leadership and Mentorship

• Mentor and guide junior product managers and cross-functional teams to foster professional growth and skill development.
• Build and maintain a culture of innovation, collaboration, and accountability within the product team.
• Represent the product team in executive-level meetings and provide strategic recommendations.

11. Partnership Development

• Forge and manage relationships with key external partners, including technology vendors, industry collaborators, and stakeholders.
• Explore and negotiate strategic partnerships to enhance the product offering and reach.

Others:

• Customer Advocacy: Regularly engage with customers to understand their pain points and advocate for their needs within the organization.
• Change Management: Lead change management initiatives to ensure smooth adoption of new processes, tools, and features.
• Scalability: Build scalable processes and systems to support future growth and expansion.

Accountability

• Product Innovation: Drive the ideation, development, and execution of innovative products and features that address customer needs and create new revenue opportunities.
• Roadmap Execution: Deliver the product roadmap on time and within scope, ensuring alignment with organizational goals and customer expectations.
• User Experience Excellence: Enhance customer satisfaction and engagement by delivering intuitive, user-centric product experiences.
• Revenue Growth: Achieve measurable business outcomes, including increased market share, customer acquisition, and revenue growth through strategic product initiatives.
• Performance Metrics: Define, track, and optimize product performance through data-driven insights and continuous improvement.
• Regulatory Compliance: Ensure all products meet industry standards and regulatory requirements, mitigating risks and maintaining trust.
• Stakeholder Alignment: Foster collaboration and clear communication with internal and external stakeholders to ensure the product’s success and strategic alignment.

Qualifications

Requirements:

1. Educational Background:

o            Bachelor’s degree in Business, Computer Science, Engineering, or a related field. A Master’s degree or additional certifications in Product Management or Fintech is a plus.

2. Experience:

o            5+ years of experience in product management, preferably in fintech, telecom, mobile money, or e-commerce sectors.

o            Proven track record of launching and managing successful digital financial products.

o            Experience with customer-centric design and development methodologies (Agile, Scrum, etc.).

3. Technical Skills:

o            Strong understanding of mobile money, MVNO, and e-commerce platforms.

o            Data-driven decision-making skills with the ability to analyze metrics and KPIs to optimize product performance.

4. Market Knowledge:

o            In-depth knowledge of the fintech landscape, especially in the African context.

o            Strong understanding of regulatory requirements in mobile payments and telecommunications.

5. Project Management:

o            Excellent project management skills to drive product development from concept to launch, coordinating cross-functional teams.

6. Customer-Focused:

o            Ability to understand customer needs, pain points, and market trends, and translate them into product features and innovations.

Strategic Thinker:

• Ability to see the big picture and align product initiatives with the company’s strategic vision.

Innovative:

• A creative problem-solver who can think outside the box to develop cutting-edge solutions for emerging markets.

Strong Communicator:

• Excellent verbal and written communication skills, with the ability to articulate complex ideas to both technical and non-technical stakeholders.

Collaborative:

• Works well with cross-functional teams and thrives in a collaborative, fast-paced environment.

Adaptable & Resilient:

• Ability to adapt to changing market conditions and feedback, staying resilient under pressure to meet deadlines.

Analytical Mindset:

• A data-driven decision-maker with a sharp analytical approach to problem-solving and product optimization.

Customer-Centric:

• Passionate about creating products that solve real customer problems and enhance user experiences.