An exciting opportunity exists for a leading Loans expert to join our Product Incubation team to create and grow our Loans business.

This Head of Product role will be responsible for taking the foundational loans programme to full product portfolio development across the African continent. It is an opportunity to lead the charge on building a full new product offering for Mukuru.

As the Head of Product: Loans, you will report directly to the Head of Product Incubation. You will be required to provide strategic and operational focus to the Loans Portfolio. This position is accountable for end-to-end development of new product opportunities, operational planning and implementation, product management and ultimate profit and loss accountability for the Loans portfolio.

You’ll not only be liaising with external partners, regulators and service providers, but also partnering across Mukuru’s business with a range of departments to bring loans products to life.

The role is ideally based in Johannesburg or Cape Town, South Africa.

Duties and Responsibilities (Include but is not limited to):

• Create, develop and maximise growth in the loans product portfolio within Product Incubation:
• Contribute to development of pilot products across current and new markets for Mukuru in Africa
• Identify opportunities to expand product and service offerings
• Create strategies to maximise the product profits and sales in sustainable way
• Support business case creation and motivation
• Effectively manage the relationships with current and future partners, including sourcing, negotiations and partner management
• Collaborate with in-country representatives with regards to projects and partnerships
• Develop products and manage development from inception to initial management of product in-market
• Maintain current knowledge of payments and financial innovation practices and activities in business corridors
• Carry out market analysis, competitor analysis and monitoring of micro and macro influences
• Provide assistance to the Head of Product Incubation on required incubation projects
• Proactively engage in own professional and self-development

Key Requirements:

• Grade 12 /or equivalent (Essential)
• Degree in any business related field (Essential)
• Experience in the loans/credit field (Essential)
• Interest in innovation
• Knowledge of financial products
• Knowledge of product development and management
• Knowledge of sales and stakeholder engagement
• Knowledge of business case drafting
• Knowledge of commercial agreements
• Knowledge of technology development
• Knowledge of financial license frameworks

Additional Skills:

• Leadership skills
• Verbal communication skills, inclu. sales and negotiation
• Partnership management skills
• Analytical skills
• Multitasking skills
• Self-motivated
• Attention to detail
• Interpersonal and conflict management skills
• Time management skills
• Organisational & administrative skills
• Computer skills
• Remote working skills

Should you be appointed in a remote/work from home role at Mukuru, it is your responsibility to ensure that you have uninterrupted internet connectivity and a ‘work-like’ environment at your home location, in order to deliver your best in terms of performance, productivity and service to our customers.

If you do not receive any response after two weeks please consider your application unsuccessful.

NB: ALL STAFF APPOINTMENTS WILL BE MADE WITH DUE CONSIDERATION OF THE COMPANY’S EE TARGETS