Senior Manager: Strategy at MTN

Mission/ Core purpose of the Job
The Senior Manager:  Strategy is responsible for defining & supporting the overall strategy  & business plan for the Payments & Ecommerce function through the development of meaningful insights, benchmarks and global trends. The SM will also be responsible for generating new business and development of business & product strategies that will drive incremental revenue and profitability for the Payments & Ecommerce vertical.

The SM will focus on business strategy formulation and determining long term strategic initiatives for the Payments & Ecommerce function. This position will be responsible for advising on the major changes in the Payment Ecosystem, Products & Services, Technology, customer base and/or competition and defining medium to long term adjustments required.

The focus of this role involves supporting the shaping of the functional business strategy through providing strategic foresight, strategic best practice and knowledge sharing as well define the strategic planning process.

As part of the leadership team within Platforms & partnerships the Senior Manager is responsible to contribute to Finco’s overall strategic goals, achieve profitable growth, and to continuously improve performance.

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

• Lead the creation of the functional business 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 Strategy and Business Plan

Operational Delivery

• Advise on opportunities in the development of the product / functional roadmap and business plan toward Payment & Ecommerce function’s long- term goals and objectives
• Develop and maintain relationships with external industry experts to identify market trends, competitive dynamics, acquisition and partnership ideas
• Provide insights backed by data & analytics, when shaping the long term business strategy through strategic foresight, strategic innovation, strategic communication and knowledge sharing. (new product development, diversification and new market penetration opportunities)
• Identify and recommend profitable growth strategies in the Payments & Ecommerce space
• Within the Payments & Ecommerce space identify business development opportunities for new market entry, partnership & deals, proposal building, business case modelling, due diligence, ROI analysis etc
• Conduct market research and analysis and provide insights & advice on exploring Payments & Ecommerce related M&A, Joint Venture deals and Partnership opportunities as required
• In collaboration with functional leaders within Payments & Ecommerce and other Product verticals in Group Finco, identify new product/ service offerings in the Payments & ecommerce space in line with the overall Group Finco ambition & strategy
• Coordinate the review and definition of the strategic planning process for Payments & Ecommerce function with long term planning horizon including use of scenario analysis
• Facilitate the “strategic” dialogue across all Finco Opcos to ensure that there is a 360° approach to strategy and the function’s strategic positioning
• Coordinate the review with Opcos on the strategic planning & alignment and assist in defining the future state for Payments & Ecommerce related products and services
• Conduct and present analysis of long-term global trends and outlook, to assist in defining the long term overall business strategy for Payments & Ecommerce
• Provide competitive intelligence, assisting the product leaders to maintain competitive edge and drive sustainable growth
• Structure and lead strategic initiatives and cross-functional teams to deliver on selected strategy projects
• Monitor, review and report on the strategic initiatives and projects across Payments & Ecommerce
• Ensure integration of strategic initiatives into budget and business plans of Payments & Ecommerce function
• Support the functional leaders in proposing strategic alternatives to the Executive Committee (Exco).
• Maintain a “strategy” dashboard to ensure monitoring and tracking of primary strategic drivers
• Ensure that reports & presentations on strategic initiatives are available for submission to Functional Leadership / Exco
• Support in the identification of industry partnerships to enable joint initiatives for B2B, B2C Payment & Ecommerce sales

Governance

Operational, Tactical and Strategic Meetings

• Lead and participate in strategic meetings, ensure relevant participation, and provide guidance and input in the various discussions. Solicit feedback and input from relevant Product Owners Opco Finco stakeholders .
• 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

• Resolve 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

Job Requirements (Education, Experience and Competencies)
Education:

• Minimum of 4-year tertiary degree (Business Management, Business Administration, Strategy , or related field)
• MBA or Masters (advantageous)

Experience:

• Minimum of 7 years of experience in a Top Tier Management Consulting or Strategy Consulting firm with focus in business development, sales, client relations management, partnership management
• At least 3-4 years’ experience in Fintech / Banking / financial Services sectors
• Manager track record of 4 years or more
• Experience in market study, strategic business case building & business consulting
• Deep understanding of the Payments & Ecommerce products and 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:
• Understanding of FinTech, Payment & Ecommerce businesses
• Fintech Strategy Development
• Growth Strategy
• Product & Market Strategy
• Business Development
• Partnership and Alliance management
• Market Entry Strategy
• GTM strategy and approach
• Mergers & Acquisitions / Deal Advisory
• Business Case Development & Analysis
• Value Proposition Development
• Project Management
• Client relationship 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