Purpose of the job:
Pensions Company is a recently acquired company in a Group structure, committed to introducing an innovative approach to the pension fund administration space in Nigeria by leveraging analytics and digital tools to deliver a superior customer experience and develop a range of value added services particularly for new entrants into the workforce. The company requires the services of a qualified candidate to fill the vacant position of the Managing Director (MD). The MD will be responsible for building it from ground up and growing it to become Top 2 PFA in Nigeria.The MD is responsible for shaping the strategy, building the organization and launching new digital products and partnerships to drive the growth of the company. In addition, the MD is responsible for building an agile, digital and innovation driven culture in the pension business.
Key responsibilities:
- Shape the strategy for the new PFA, which includes shaping the design of retirement income and benefits programs and identifying the approach for customers acquisition/retention and scaling the business
- Build the organization for the new business. This would include designing the optimal organizational structure, identifying talent, capabilities and investment required, prioritizing immediate positions to be filled, and leading the recruiting process.
- Develop an implementation roadmap for the strategy, which includes roll-out of products and solutions, overall IT architecture.
- Define success metrics for the organization
- Introduce a performance management culture within the organization
- Monitor the performance of the funds
- Ensure compliance of the funds in line with regulation
- Oversee business development:
- Lead a team to design and deliver innovative products, and re-imagine customer journeys
- Lead a team to drive customer acquisition, exceptional customer service delivery, and increased revenues through digital platforms and physical channels
- Lead the formation of new partnerships to drive growth
- Driving the investment decision process
- Implement measures to drive consistency in the delivery of exceptional customer experience across all channels and touch points
- Lead by example to build a culture that is agile, digital and innovation driven
Experience:
- Possess a minimum of 15 years post qualification experience of which at least 12 years must have been in the Financial Services Sector (ideally pension/portfolio management) and 8 years in top/senior management positions
- Track record of scaling up business and driving business development and customer acquisition in financial services or similar consumer facing industry
- Experience building a coherent digital strategy and successfully delivering it
- Experience in Africa or other emerging market is preferred, having preferably already managed the complexity of a “corporate role”, that goes from developing the strategic framework till delivering innovative ideas /digital solutions and execution
Attributes:
- Customer-centric with strong sales and business development mindset
- Collaborative and strong capacity to partner with multiple players (e.g. vendors, regulators, management of other business lines/companies etc.)
- Open-minded, with a track record of thinking differently and comfortable exploring perspectives outside traditional pension administration norms and conventions
- Comfortable with technology IT and able to engage in discussion with tech team
- Strong belief in technology and the role of data analytics in driving decision making and business value
- Excellent analytical, interpersonal, communication and influencing skills and the ability to develop sound working relationships at all levels
- Possesses a growth mindset at the personal and business level
- High energy levels and cultural openness.
Skills and knowledge:
- Possess a minimum of first degree or its equivalent in numerate or semi numerate disciplines such as actuarial sciences, statistics, mathematics, accounting, economics, banking, finance, insurance, law and business studies and/or an acceptable professional qualification.
- Knowledge of pension funds and/or social security schemes particularly in areas related to pension operations (preferably in benefit entitlement and client servicing, finance, operations, strategic planning, legal and compliance)
- Ability to develop new creative concepts and then take them from discovery phase through to delivery.
- Ability to think as a customer, to anticipate new customer needs and to further develop the range of services
- Proven determination, ability to show persuasiveness and leadership in difficult situations
- Strong network in local (Nigeria) financial services community