Payments Partnerships Specialist

Luno, a prominent global cryptocurrency platform, is seeking a dynamic Payments Partnerships Specialist to join their team in either Cape Town or Johannesburg. This is a unique opportunity to contribute to Luno's ambitious vision of transforming how people transact, save, and invest by leveraging the power of digital currencies. If you are passionate about financial innovation and have a flair for building strategic relationships, this role might be the perfect fit for you.

About the Role

At its core, this position is about forging and nurturing vital partnerships within the payments ecosystem. You will be instrumental in expanding Luno's reach and capabilities by working with external partners to integrate new payment methods and enhance existing ones. This role goes beyond mere transactional relationships; it involves deeply understanding the needs of both Luno and its partners to co-create solutions that benefit our users. You will be at the forefront of developing and launching innovative financial products designed to profoundly improve the customer experience, making it easier and more secure for South Africans to engage with the digital economy.

The Payments Partnerships Specialist will play a crucial role in shaping Luno's payment strategy and execution. Your responsibilities will span a broad spectrum, from ideation and strategy development to the hands-on implementation of new payment solutions.

Key responsibilities will include:

• **Developing and implementing innovative financial products:** You will be involved in the entire lifecycle of new payment products, from conception to launch, ensuring they meet both market demands and Luno's strategic objectives.
• **Collaborating with cross-functional teams:** This involves working closely with product managers, engineers, marketing, legal, and compliance teams to ensure seamless integration and successful rollout of payment initiatives.
• **Performing market research and competitive analysis:** Staying ahead of the curve is essential. You'll be responsible for understanding market trends, identifying new opportunities, and analysing the competitive landscape to inform Luno's strategic direction.
• **Creating product roadmaps and prioritising feature sets:** You will contribute to defining the future of Luno's payment offerings, translating strategic goals into actionable product roadmaps and prioritising development efforts based on business impact and user needs.
• **Identifying, evaluating, and onboarding new payment partners:** This will involve sourcing potential partners, conducting due diligence, negotiating agreements, and ensuring smooth integration with Luno's platform.
• **Managing existing partner relationships:** You will be responsible for maintaining strong, productive relationships with current payment partners, fostering collaboration, and identifying opportunities for growth and enhancement.
• **Ensuring regulatory compliance for payment solutions:** Working with internal teams and external partners to ensure all payment methods comply with relevant South African financial regulations.

What They're Looking For

Luno is looking for an individual with a solid foundation in finance or business, coupled with practical experience in product development or partnership management, ideally within the financial services sector. A proactive and analytical mindset is crucial for navigating the complexities of the payments landscape.

Essential qualifications and skills include:

• A tertiary qualification, such as a Bachelor’s degree, in Finance, Business, or a related discipline.
• A minimum of three years of experience in product management, partnership management, or a similar role within the financial industry. Experience with cryptocurrency or blockchain technology would be a significant advantage.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving abilities, with a capacity to dissect complex issues and devise effective solutions.
• Exceptional communication and interpersonal skills, enabling you to build rapport and collaborate effectively with a diverse range of stakeholders, both internally and externally.
• A proven track record of developing and launching successful financial products or managing strategic partnerships.
• An understanding of the South African payments landscape and regulatory environment is highly desirable.

This role offers a chance to be part of a forward-thinking company that is shaping the future of finance in South Africa and beyond. As a Payments Partnerships Specialist at Luno, you’ll be at the heart of innovation, contributing to a mission that aims to make a tangible difference in how people manage their money.

• Bachelor’s degree in finance, business, or a related field.
• 3+ years of experience in product management in the financial industry.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills.
• Excellent communication skills and ability to collaborate with diverse teams.