Senior Manager, Innovations

Job Description

1. Nature & Scope

The nature and scope of the job is to drive the creation and introduction of Innovative products and solutions for the Bank’s clients, as well as guiding the evolution and enhancement of the Bank’s existing services and offerings. The position’s core role is to develop new products and marketable solutions that deliver measurable client value and ensure the Bank’s future success. The Senior Manager oversees the development of product ideas into new or improved product offerings, by constantly monitoring and drawing on advances in Innovation, data collection, analytics, and technology to deliver the best available solutions to the Bank’s clients.

The principal purpose of the job is to manage the delivery of the Innovation line of business(LOB) plan for the Bank, and to ensure that Innovation assignments are undertaken in accordance with relevant policies, procedures and quality standards. The job holder is responsible and accountable for the quality of the Innovation work performed and the efficiency and effectiveness thereof. This role requires strong analytical and strategic thinking skills as well as experience in evaluating or developing qualitative and quantitative research in the banking, trade finance, and ICT industry. This is a strategic cross-functional role that works with many different people at all levels of the business.

2. Duties and Responsibilities

a)  Define and drive portfolio Innovation Strategy and roadmap in liaison with the respective business departments;

b)  Working with the various product teams in origination, Identify, validate and develop new products and service solutions for the Bank’s clients;

c)  Create, evaluate and analyze proposals for new business ideas, new lines of business and products;

d)  In liaison with Origination and ICT teams, evaluate technology trends, review and develop product features to achieve product goals and enhance financial proposition in Africa;

e)  Act as a central recipient of all ideas from internal and external partners;

f)  In liaison with relevant teams within the Bank undertake detailed market research and analysis to understand changing landscape of financial innovation within the market place and globally that will aid in innovation across the Bank;

g)  Document and ensure approval of product and innovation descriptions and Business Case (Business requirements);

h)  Project management of the development and enhancements of products and services through the relevant Bank innovation and product process guidelines;

i)  Manage and direct different cross-functional programs and projects of varied sizes and types concurrently;

j)  Manage and evaluate portfolio data and innovation pipeline assisting strategic decision-making and Go-to-Market processes;

k)  Work with other departments to augment and support their product and solution development skills and activities;

l)  Advocate and mentor other staff in the Bank in product/solution development best practices and skills;

m)  Encourage a culture of innovation, identify and spread great ideas, new approaches and best practices; and

n)  Any other duties as may be assigned by Senior Management.

3. Skills, Knowledge and Attitude

•  Postgraduate degree in ICT, Business Administration, Economics, Finance or related fields from a recognized University;

•  Sound experience and proven track record of at least 10 years, preferably in the consulting or financial services industry as a Strategy and Business Planning professional and expert in one or more of the following business functions: evaluating emerging business in B2B technology, product development/management, business development, innovation, new product introduction, R&D, marketing, or other related work;

•  Demonstrated experience in preparing and presenting strategic business and technology plans for use by the financial services industry and an expert understanding of financial analysis, modelling, statistical analysis and related software;

•  Experience in offering strategic insight into industry, consumer and competitor trends;

•  Experience with strategy development or assessment in industries undergoing rapid transformation;

•  Experience in presenting and selling ideas to Senior Management with strong presentation skills (written and verbal);

•  Ability to communicate and function in a culturally diverse and change oriented setting with good knowledge of business planning practices in Africa;

•  Ability to interact with senior officials of international agencies, multilaterals, banks, corporates and governments; 

•  Excellent verbal and written communication skills in English. Knowledge of the Bank’s other working languages is an added advantage (French, Arabic and Portuguese); and

•  Familiarity with the following domains is an added advantage: data science, statistics, quantitative reasoning, social science research, software development/computer science, business plan development, innovation, strategic plan development and both public and private sector clients.