Managing Director, West Africa (Fintech / Payments / Strategy / Business Development)

Reference Number: CDTMDWA

Job Description:

Our client, one of Africa’s leading digital payments and commerce company’s, are looking for a Country General Manager To drive strategic growth and market dominance for the Groups Fintech company in West Africa by expanding the regional footprint, fostering innovation, and ensuring products evolve with market needs, whilst leading a dynamic, agile, and diverse Regional Management team to ensure differentiation and success for our customers.

Responsibilities:

• Shape and lead the execution of a comprehensive growth strategy for the West Africa region that is aligned with the Group's overall strategic objectives.
• Support the the Group's expansion plans by identifying new country/market entry opportunities and proposing, implementing successful entry strategies.
• Identify and foster relevant strategic partnerships within the region aimed at increasing the relevance and delivering on the region's strategic goals.
• Motivate people to commit to these and to doing extraordinary things to achieve business goals.
• Prepare and manage short-term and annual workforce plans using existing analytical frameworks and tools to identify the number and mix of staff required to meet the demand forecast.
• Manage and drive the performance of direct reports, set appropriate performance objectives and hold them accountable for achieving these, provide constructive performance feedback and take appropriate corrective action where necessary to ensure achievement of team/personal objectives.
• Motivate, develop and grow the team by providing training, coaching, mentoring and identifying talent and successors for pivotal roles.
• Oversee the activities of the Country General Managers and Regional Heads, ensuring seamless coordination across functions and between the West Africa region & Group HQ.
• Drive operational efficiency, cost optimization, and scalability while maintaining a keen focus on quality and compliance.
• Foster strong relationships with key stakeholders in West Africa, including regulatory bodies, industry partners (e.g. associations), and clients.
• Navigate the competitive landscape by leveraging our unique value proposition and building a network that reinforces their reputation.
• Safeguarding and enhancing the positive perception of the company's brand among a diverse array of stakeholders, including customers, partners, investors, regulators, and the wider community. This responsibility involves actively monitoring the brand's reputation, addressing potential issues promptly, and championing initiatives that reinforce the company's commitment to trust, innovation, and excellence. By nurturing a positive brand image, the Managing Director contributes significantly to the organization's long-term success and competitive advantage in the West African fintech landscape.
• Champion a culture of innovation within the region, encouraging the development of creative, customer-focused Fintech solutions.
• Ensure that their products remain ahead of the curve, addressing emerging needs and maintaining a competitive edge.
• Set and monitor performance metrics for the Region, driving revenue growth, profitability, and market share.
• Develop and execute financial plans, analyze results, and adapt strategies to achieve sustainable success.
• Ensure that a meaningful and lasting impact is made on the communities we serve in West Africa. Lead the social change through fintech innovations, financial inclusion initiatives, and community engagement programs, to empower individuals, uplift local businesses, and drive socioeconomic progress.

Behavioral Competencies

• The ability to see the big picture, constantly imagine future scenarios and create strategies to sustain competitive advantage.
• Formulates a clear and compelling strategic vision for the West Africa region, aligning with the overall goals, and translating that vision into actionable plans that drive growth and market dominance.
• Is early to spot possible future policies, practices, and trends in the Region, with the competition, and in the marketplace.
• Applies knowledge of business and the marketplace to advance the Region's goals. For example, ensures that the team understands and discusses relevant industry changes. Gives strong messages about how people's efforts make a difference to the broader Group.
• Steers the Region toward innovation, ensuring it stays at the forefront of Fintech developments. Tries multiple, varied approaches to innovative ideas and ensures the product suite aligns with market needs and technological advancements.
• Sets stretch goals and objectives, pushing individuals or teams to perform at higher levels, by using a collaborative and inclusive leadership style that fosters teamwork, motivates employees, and encourages cross-functional collaboration, leading to a high-performing, high trust and cohesive regional team
• Promotes a team environment that values, encourages, and supports differences and senses how differences will play out in terms of needs, values, and motivators.
• Identifies and monitors key financial indicators to gauge performance, identify trends, and suggest strategies that can impact results.
• Transforms financial information into business intelligence through analysis and integration of quantitative and qualitative information.
• Picks up on the need to change personal, interpersonal, and leadership behaviour quickly and seamlessly adapts style to fit the specific needs of others.
• Consults with a wide network of internal and external connections and works through formal and informal channels to build broad-based relationships, influence and support.

Requirements: Qualification and Skill

• Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration, Finance, Information Technology, Computer Science, Economics, Marketing, or related fields from an accredited University. An advanced degree, e.g., Masters in Finance/Business/Technology or related fields or MBA for higher level of understanding in business, financial and technological aspects of the industry.
• This is a top-tier leadership role where the primary responsibilities revolve around guiding the West Africa region's strategic direction, ensuring all departments align with their mission and objectives, and interfacing with stakeholders at the highest level. The focus is on breadth, encompassing a wide range of domains and ensuring synergy among them.
• Given this context, while certifications and specific qualifications can be valuable for a Managing Director position, they are not as prescriptive as for roles that require a deep dive into a specific domain. Instead, a broader range of experiences, a track record of leadership

General Experience

• At least 15 years' experience preferably in a reputable Financial Institution or Fintech company, covering the aspects listed below:
• A solid understanding of the Fintech ecosystem, this can include experience in
• mobile banking, mobile money, cards, digital payments, blockchain, or any other Fintech innovation prevalent in West Africa.
• Demonstrated experience in leading market entry or expansion efforts, especially in diverse regions like West Africa.
• A track record of devising and implementing successful business strategies and planning.
• Demonstrated experience in dealing with regulatory bodies in West Africa and ensuring company-wide compliance.
• Demonstrated financial experience, including developing and managing budgets, overseeing revenue generation, and ensuring financial health.
• Familiarity with key players, regulators, and potential partners in the West Africa Fintech ecosystem would also be beneficial.

Managerial Experience

• At least 10 years’ proven leadership experience, with at least 7 spent in an Executive or C-suite role of leading diverse teams across multiple functions and countries.
• Demonstrated stakeholder management experience, engaging with internal and external stakeholders at the highest level, including board members, investors, partners and regulators.
• Strategic decision-making experience is critical for formulating business growth strategies – demonstrated experience in strategic decisions that have led to growth, innovation, and market expansion.
• Experience in overseeing multiple projects, ensuring they align with the company's strategic goals.
• Crisis Management experience with a proven ability to handle company crises with efficacy and grace.
• Cultural Leadership experience, managing culturally diverse teams, understanding the nuances of West African cultures, and effectively leading in that context.

Additional

The role reports to the Group Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer.

If you wish to apply for the position please send your CV to Chalden Du Toit at [email protected]

Please visit www.caglobalint.com for more exciting opportunities.

Chalden Du Toit

Consultant

CA Finance

CA Global will respond to short-listed candidates only. If you have not had any response in two weeks, please consider your application unsuccessful however your CV will be kept on our database for any other suitable positions.

CA Global Headhunters is an international staffing company with a specific focus on recruitment in Africa. Our extensive, diverse candidate network built up over 10 years comprises the most skilled and experienced candidates. We recruit talent of the highest standards across African sectors, including Mining, Oil & Gas, Engineering, Banking, Finance, Legal, Insurance, Commodities, and Agriculture. As African markets continue to grow and develop, so too does our skill and expertise, ensuring that we deliver the best service to both clients and candidates.

Thanks to our access to global networks and resources, we understand our clients’ cultures, operations, business strategies, and industries. We are always on par with the latest technologies and trends which assist us in sourcing the best talent for clients. Whatever stage of the project lifecycle, we can put forward the right candidates with the right skills.