Manager: Design System Lead at MTN

Mission/ Core purpose of the Job
The Manager Design System Lead is responsible for creating better user experiences for Digital Channels’ users. The role will lead the visual design for the design system collaborating with product leaders, developers, other designers as well as customers to define and build software that drives a positive customer experience.  

The role is responsible for managing the interaction between Finco users and systems and software and applications. The incumbent is responsible for the development and implementation of Finco’s digital channels user interface on multiple online interfaces that include (mobile app, web, USSD). 

Key Performance Areas: Core, essential responsibilities / outputs of the position (KPA's) 
Strategy Development and Implementation  

• Provide reports and analysis to support and contribute to the development of the functional strategy in line with the overarching business goals  
• Ensure accurate and timely reporting to enable the regular review of the functional strategy, roadmap and performance to ensure its alignment with the changing dynamics of the internal and external ecosystem  

Operational Delivery  

• Work with global UX, UI, product and engineering teams  
• Create new components and patterns for the Design System and improve and refine existing ones to increase speed and quality, as well as increase adoption  
• Partner with designers, engineers and product leaders using the Design System to provide knowledge, feedback and support  
• Create documentation and specs for engineers and designers  
• Communicate design rationale and decisions  
• Manage the brand of Finco UX Design, promote a design-centric culture and drive customer obsessed thinking across the company. Enhance the image of our UX team as an essential, desirable and strategic partner  
• Play an instrumental role in the design, build, launch and maintenance of the new Design System website  
• Be a proactive participant in the entire iterative design process from discovery through launch 

Governance   

Operational, Tactical and Strategic Meetings  

• Provide input in strategic meetings when required  
• Provide inputs into the risk mitigation and controls  
• Provide input into the preparation of proposal on change initiatives, policies and procedures  

Escalations  

• Escalate issues that will result in severe time, scope, productivity, and cost or resource impact  
• Provide solutions to escalations that have multiple processes / functions impact on critical path of service delivery  

Function Tactical  

• Provide input into all projects initiated   
• Provide input into establishing objectives, targets and budgets for the function as applicable  
• Identify and document key risks, issues and dependencies and set mitigation actions  
• Prepare documentation required for sign-off / making decisions regarding tactical changes  

Performance  

• Ensure execution in alignment with divisional strategy  
• Continuous performance monitoring and adjust strategy and actions to deliver targets  

Reporting  

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

Budgets  

• Manage functional budgets in line with overall budget and business objectives  
• Managing project initiative budgets in line with business objectives   
• Support the reduction of cost of operations, in line with a least cost operating strategy stemming from the business drivers 

Responsibility towards:    

Key external stakeholders:    

• External contractors & partners   

Key internal stakeholders:     

• Group Finco business verticals  
• Group Finco Support functions  
• Finco Opco teams 

Job Requirements (Education, Experience and Competencies)

Education:  

• 4-year Computer Science, Business Management (or related) Degree  
• Master’s in business administration is advantageous  

Experience:  

• 5 or more years of relevant work experience in a UX/UI design role  
• At least 3 years’ experience within a non-traditional FinTech or Consumer Marketing environment  
• Experience at the management level in the financial sector   
• Experience with design software and wireframe tools  
• Experience with coding using HTML, CSS and comparable languages is advantageous  
• Experience working in a medium to large organization   
• Experience working across global locations/ regions and have a grasp of political, social, infrastructure and integrity challenges  
• Understanding emerging markets advantageous  
• Willing and flexible to travel within Africa and Middle East  
• English speaker. French language being an added advantage 

Competencies:  

Functional Knowledge:   

• Understanding of FinTech, banking, microfinance and payment businesses  
• E-Commerce/ Mobile Commerce   
• UX/UI design   
• Business performance management/ measurement/ improvement and reporting  
• Good knowledge of customer management platforms and systems  
• Design software/s  
• Software development and coding languages  

Skills  

• Digital marketing  
• Analytics and Interpretation  
• Strategic Thinking   
• Organizational Agility   
• Digital mind-set  
• Dealing with ambiguity and complexity  
• Decision Making  
• Conflict Management   
• Numerical   
• Project Management  
• People Management  
• Executive Presentation   

Behavioural Qualities  

• Analytical  
• Organised and methodical  
• Operationally astute  
• Proactive  
• Detail-oriented  
• Driven  
• Results-oriented  
• Team player