Head of Innovation & Partnerships at Lebara Nigeria

Role Description

• This is a full-time, on-site role in Lagos for a forward-thinking and commercially savvy leader. The Head of Innovation & Partnerships will be responsible for identifying and developing new revenue streams and strategic alliances that enhance Lebara's value proposition. You will scan the horizon for emerging trends, technologies, and partnership opportunities, particularly in the digital and fintech spaces, and build a portfolio of innovative services that go beyond core telecom offerings.

Key Responsibilities

• Strategy & Ideation: Develop and lead the innovation strategy, fostering a culture of creativity and experimentation within the company.
• Partnership Development: Identify, negotiate, and manage strategic partnerships with technology companies, content providers, fintechs, and other organizations to co-create value-added services.
• New Product Incubation: Oversee the entire lifecycle of new, non-traditional products, from concept and business case development to launch and commercialization.
• Market Analysis: Stay abreast of global and local trends in telecommunications, digital services, and consumer technology to identify new opportunities for innovation.
• Project Management: Lead cross-functional teams to bring new partnership-led initiatives to market on time and within budget.
• Commercial Modeling: Develop robust business cases and commercial models for all new ventures and partnerships to ensure profitability and strategic fit.

Qualifications & Experience

• Education: A Bachelor's degree in Business, IT, Engineering, or a related field. An MBA is highly preferred.
• Experience: 7–9 years of experience in strategic partnerships, business development, or product management, with a focus on innovation, preferably in the telecom, tech, or financial services industry.
• Skills:
  • Proven track record of successfully forging and managing strategic partnerships.
  • Strong commercial acumen and negotiation skills.
  • Excellent understanding of digital ecosystems, APIs, and platform business models.
  • Creative thinker with the ability to convert innovative ideas into tangible business opportunities.
  • Strong project management and stakeholder management skills.

Certifications (Recommended)

• Certified Strategic Alliance Professional (CSAP)
• Pragmatic Marketing or similar Product Management certification