Senior Manager: Projects – Business Development and Expansion at MTN

Mission/ Core purpose of the Job
The SM is accountable for the expansion of Group Finco’s presence through developing new business opportunities, new markets /territories and launching products matching relevant emerging trends. The role is responsible for guiding the Fintech business towards achieving the long-term objectives by delivering on new opportunities. The SM is responsible first for leading and managing the programs to ensure execution of the new launches.

In collaboration with other Business Development colleagues in Group Finco, the SM is responsible to deliver M&A, Joint Venture and Partnership opportunities across the Fintech value chain and products. As part of the leadership team, the SM is also responsible to contribute to Finco’s overall strategic goals, to achieve profitable growth, and to continuously improve the operations performance.

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

• Lead the Project Management 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
• Cascade and communicate overall Project Objectives & Strategy
• Translate the Project Management strategy into operational initiatives and plans and drive execution

Operational Delivery

• Plan, Lead and Oversee Projects with regard to new market entry & new products launch with planning, execution coordination & go-live
• Responsible for the project management and oversight of associated Opco project workstreams for Opco projects & programs launched
• Define and initiate projects and assign project resources to manage cost, schedule, scope, quality and overall performance of component projects, while working to ensure the ultimate success and acceptance of the project
• Review project proposals or plans to determine time frames, limitations, procedures for accomplishing projects, staffing requirements, and allotment of available resources to various phases of projects for group and opco synergy
• Enable with the support of the M&A team, the identified M&A opportunities as required
• Enable the joint venture & partnerships the identified opportunities as required
• Confer with project team(s) to outline workplan and to assign duties, responsibilities, and scope of authority
• Review status reports prepared by project personnel and modifies schedules or plans as required
• Review weekly, monthly, and annual project status reports for management
• Confer with project team(s) to provide technical advice and to resolve problems
• Analyse and evaluate current work processes with technical project managers and project sponsors and recommend changes to achieve efficiencies using best in class practices
• Ensure project deliverables are aligned and support the overall project milestones, business benefit(s), ROI, products, services, and new capabilities introduced
• Adhere to the approved governance framework, which articulates how initiatives are defined; prioritized and executed in order to achieve set organizational objectives and support strategic intent
• Develop project management practices such as planning, reporting, budgeting, change management, risk/issue management, etc.
• Support Opcos in implementing new products and services, resulting in an optimal value proposition
• Coordinate end to end onboarding of all third-party vendors responsible for project delivery
• Document best practices and lessons learned (heuristics) to inform future executions.
• Identify all realistic projects risks, analyse probability, and impact and develop contingency plans to monitor and manage risks.
• Define expectations and success indicators for project and report on project status
• Manage integration of special projects across functions
• Ensure overall quality of project deliverables
• Draft schedules for implementation of long-range plans and proposals
• Monitor project progress, drafting and distributing periodic progress reports for leadership and stakeholders
• Maintain compliance with applicable laws, regulations, policies, and best practices
• Leverage existing resources while incorporating new global best practices like “Agile” Project management to ensure continuous performance improvement within the PMO space
• Collaborate with Opco teams (where relevant) to ensure buy-in and sustainability for all special projects
• Investigate the adoption of technology solutions that can accelerate project deployment

Leadership and stakeholder engagement

• Build credibility, establish rapport and maintain communication with internal & external stakeholders at multiple levels
• Prepare leadership reports for use in strategic decision-making forums
• Ensure that essential communication takes place at all levels within the function and across Group Finco, Finco Opcos and MTN Group (where applicable)

Governance

Operational, Tactical and Strategic Meetings

• Participate in strategic meetings, ensure relevant participation, and provide guidance and input in the various discussions. Solicit feedback and input from Opcos
• Drive adequate risk mitigation and controls and elicit inputs from relevant parties
• Request relevant budget for internal projects
• Prepare proposal on change initiatives, policies, and procedures

Escalations

• Escalate issues that will result in severe time, scope, productivity, and cost or resource 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 performance and alignment with overall strategy
• Ensure alignment between other functions within Group Finco teams

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

Supervisory/Managerial 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
• Set goals and objectives for direct reports, monitor progress, and maintain motivation
• Set up appropriate structure to meet departmental management objectives

Job Requirements (Education, Experience and Competencies) 
Education:

• Minimum of 4-year tertiary degree in Business Management, Project Management, or related field
• PMP Certification (or equivalent) required
• Master’s Degree / MBA (preferred)

Experience:

• 8-10 years of post-qualification experience in a multinational company
• 4-5 years program/project management experience
• 2-3 years’ experience in a Fintech program/project office
• Manager track record of 3-4 years or more
• Experience with Agile delivery & project management
• Experience in the Fintech/Financial Service/Banking sector is advantageous
• Deep understanding of the Fintech ecosystem, players, business models and industry related best practices.
• Ability to design, define/specify and deploy solutions, integration and/or data strategies across a multitude of geographies and products within geographies
• Strong business, operational and product knowledge, specifically relating to being innovative and “out of the box” in aligning “fit for purpose” products for the African market
• 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:

• Understanding of FinTech, banking, microfinance and payment businesses
• Project and Programme Management
• PMO frameworks (PMI, PMBOK, etc.)
• Project systems, software and tools
• Agile frameworks and methodologies
• Capital planning and investment assessment
• Cost-benefit analysis
• Project resource, budget, performance and quality management, and reporting
• Project risk & issue management
• Strategic governance process, project planning and control processes
• Industry and marketplace legal and regulatory appreciation
• Business process reengineering
• Business change management

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
• People Management
• Executive Presentation

Behavioural Qualities

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