In the dynamic financial services sector, a prominent South African institution is seeking a seasoned Product Manager to steer the strategic direction and development of impactful product portfolios. This organisation, recognised for its commitment to innovation and employee development, offers a compelling opportunity for a professional eager to shape the future of financial products. The role is based in Johannesburg and requires a strategic thinker capable of driving growth, fostering innovation, and ensuring alignment with broader organisational objectives.

About the Role

This position is pivotal in the organisation's product strategy, focusing on the leadership of complex or high-impact product portfolios. The successful candidate will be instrumental in driving product innovation, ensuring that offerings not only meet current market demands but also anticipate future needs. A key aspect of the role involves cultivating strong relationships with senior stakeholders, effectively managing cross-functional teams, and influencing the long-term product vision. This is a leadership role that demands a deep understanding of the financial services landscape and a proactive approach to product lifecycle management.

The core responsibilities encompass the entire product journey, from ideation and strategy development to execution, performance monitoring, and optimisation. This includes conducting thorough market analyses to identify emerging opportunities and competitive threats, and translating these insights into actionable product roadmaps. The Product Manager will be responsible for developing compelling business cases for new initiatives, securing executive buy-in, and overseeing the financial performance of their product portfolio.

The day-to-day and strategic activities of this Product Manager role are multifaceted and demand a high level of engagement across various business functions. Key responsibilities include:

• **Strategic Product Development:** Leading the creation and implementation of product strategies, ensuring they are in lockstep with the organisation's overarching vision and market realities. This involves identifying and capitalising on new market opportunities.
• **Innovation and Technology Integration:** Collaborating closely with technology teams to drive product innovation, leveraging cutting-edge technologies and agile methodologies. This also extends to engaging with clients and industry leaders to gather insights and ensure product relevance.
• **Financial Oversight and Pricing:** Developing and implementing effective pricing strategies and revenue models, aligning them with financial targets. This includes establishing governance frameworks for pricing, considering factors like settlement risks, credit, and capital utilisation, and monitoring cost structures against market penetration.
• **Regulatory Compliance:** Ensuring all products adhere to stringent regulatory standards, working in tandem with legal and compliance departments to navigate complex requirements.
• **Stakeholder Management and Thought Leadership:** Acting as a subject matter expert within the organisation, sharing knowledge and mentoring junior product managers. This also involves managing high-level vendor and partner relationships, including contract negotiation and performance oversight.
• **Operational Efficiency and Go-to-Market:** Driving operational efficiencies through scalable and automated product solutions, and leading the development of integrated marketing and sales strategies.
• **Performance Reporting and Analysis:** Overseeing the preparation of detailed product performance reports for executive audiences, highlighting key achievements and strategic recommendations. This includes assessing the effectiveness of internal processes and considering a wide array of external drivers like regulatory, economic, political, and social factors across different jurisdictions.
• **Channel Strategy and Requirements:** Selecting appropriate channels for product delivery and defining high-level product requirements for these channels.
• **Client-Centricity:** Championing a client-centric approach, ensuring products consistently meet or exceed customer expectations, and fostering a culture of continuous improvement and accountability.

What They're Looking For

This role requires a highly qualified and experienced professional with a strong foundation in finance and product management. The ideal candidate will possess:

• **Professional Qualification:** A Chartered Accountant (SA) designation is a prerequisite for this position.
• **Experience:** A minimum of three to five years of relevant experience in product development and/or product management, ideally within the financial services sector.
• **Strategic Acumen:** The ability to think critically and strategically, identifying market trends, competitive landscapes, and opportunities for product innovation.
• **Leadership Skills:** Proven experience in leading cross-functional teams, influencing stakeholders, and driving complex projects to successful completion.
• **Analytical Proficiency:** Strong analytical skills to interpret market data, financial performance, and customer feedback to inform product strategy.
• **Communication Skills:** Excellent verbal and written communication skills, with the ability to present complex information clearly and persuasively to diverse audiences, including senior executives.
• **Adaptability:** The capacity to thrive in a fast-paced, dynamic environment and embrace change with resilience.

For professionals in South Africa, a Product Manager role within a large financial institution like this typically involves competitive remuneration, often with performance-based incentives. Career progression could lead to senior management positions within product development, strategic planning, or even broader business unit leadership. Common employers for such roles include the major South African banks, insurance companies, and other established financial services providers that have extensive product portfolios and a strong focus on innovation.

Qualifications and Experience:

• CA(SA)

• 3 to 5 years Product Development and/or Product Management experience

You Will Have Access To:

• Opportunities to network and collaborate

• Challenging Work

• Opportunities to innovate
   

Are you interested to take the step? We look forward to engaging with you further. Apply now!

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Important Closing Date Note

Take note that applications will not be accepted on the below date and onwards, kindly submit applications ahead of the closing date indicated below.