Head, Integrated Messaging at Interswitch

Department: Industry Vertical Solutions

Job Description

• Build and implement Business Growth Strategies and Opportunities for Interswitch messaging business.
• Drive business expansion agenda and service platform optimization to deliver long-term value-add for the Messaging Business value chain (customers/Telcos/VAS Aggregators/shareholders/markets). Transform the Interswitch’s Messaging business offerings into a robust fully digitized Omni-Channel messaging eco-system with extensive coverage across high volume messaging sectors.
• Grow existing market share, improve Telco relationships, maintain beneficial Regulatory relationships (The NCC) & develop and penetrate new market segments through value offerings. Develop new business ideas, grow traffic volume to achieve market share plan
• Co-ordinate, manage and have direct oversight supervision of the messaging business operations activities.
• Effective collaboration with sales across all regions & account management teams (i.e. technical support, advisory services and lead conversion strategies) that increases Interswitch’s Profitability
• Build and manage strategic partnerships with VAS players and the value chain in the mid to long term.

Responsibilities

• Business Development - Core Areas
• Develop and implement strategies that drives, improves and supports: Sales Penetration, Market Development activities, Product Development and Business Diversification
• Direct responsibility of SMS Operations Function within the business
• Lead Market expansion efforts beyond current markets served for the Business - Local and International
• Develop and maintain strong relationships with key customers on Interswitch’s messaging platform
• Prepare Monthly SMS business performance reports covering inventory utilization (Volume) and profitability (Financials)
• Business Case Development and Pricing Model Design
• Drive Business Process Documentations, develop Business Road Maps that aligns with its relevant business strategies
• Business Analysis engagement activities that guide Interswitch Regional Sales efforts for sales penetration
• Establish and maintain seamless and excellent process operations relationship with matrix teams
• Prepare detailed business specification documents of the new products developed for further engagements with product and delivery teams  Work with the relevant Product/Marketing/Engineering teams to prepare quality Pre-sales kits for the business
• Coordinate partnership opportunities sessions with relevant players - VAS Aggregators, Regulation – The NCC, 3rd Parties and the Telcos
• Participate in industry forums, client discussions, and conferences
• Drive market analytics and strategies, internal prioritization matrix per time
• Direct new business deals closure, negotiate contracts and compliance across relevant internal teams  Protect Interswitch's value by keeping information confidential
• Co-ordinate detailed budget planning session YOY for the business
• Own and drive on the job knowledge improvement opportunities, embrace educational activities, read professional journals, maintain useful personal networks
• Enhance organization reputation by exploring opportunities to add value to job accomplishments
• Perform market research and analysis to monitor local environment for the emergence of new market segments
• Keep abreast of trends and developments in digital financial services markets, products features, best practices and operational excellence
• Stay ahead of the Competition as it relates to pricing, local market experience local market, their alliances, and credibility etc
• Prepare and submit periodic reports on market expansion activities and business initiatives: Sales reports (lead generation, actual vs targets etc), customer profitability and product revenue reports
• Key Account Management
• Provide customer-focused sales and account management activities for designated customers
• Demonstrate excellence in the Messaging business growth through deliberate partnerships and collaboration with existing customers that support positive customer engagement index scores
• Secure relevant competitive market information for internal delivery as may be required from time to time
• Maintain access to sales tool (SMS Onboarding on AX) to keep track of leads generated and other relevant information to enable performance to be measured and monitored proactively
• Provide first level business knowledge of assigned product/services to clients via the sales network
• Operational Responsibilities
• Vetting of Daily reports on stock usage/monitoring/ sales activities and initiatives
• Supervise/Approve Customer onboarding requests on AX portal
• Vetting of Monthly SMS Sales Log
• Monitor Account crediting activities of the Operations officer
• Prepare Monthly performance reports for internal stake holders.

Requirements

• First Degree in a Business Discipline
• Professional Qualification (not mandatory but recognized)
• Minimum of 4 years VAS Industry knowledge , Digital financial industry, Messaging (SMS) and Telecoms
• Leadership skills
• Information Gathering & Data Analysis
• Information Management (confidentiality)
• Strategy & Business Case/plan Documentation
• Sales, presentation and negotiation skills
• Project management
• Products/ Services Knowledge and Application
• Customer Service Oriented
• Financial modelling.