Senior Principal Product Owner - Payouts at Cellulant

JOB DESCRIPTION:

• As the Senior Principal Product Owner, you will spearhead the Payouts product team.
• Your responsibilities include crafting a clear product vision, conducting market analysis to capture customer needs and trends, and defining the product roadmap.
• You will work closely with cross-functional teams to ensure seamless development and launch of innovative payout solutions that enhance customer satisfaction and business growth.

CORE RESPONSIBILITIES

Strategic Product Visioning and Roadmap:

• Develop a detailed, long-term vision for Payout products that align with Cellulant's strategic goals and market opportunities.
• Create a multi-year product roadmap, prioritising features based on customer needs, competitive advantage, and potential revenue impact.
• Lead regular roadmap reviews and updates to adapt to changing market conditions and feedback from key stakeholders.

Market Research and Customer Insights:

• Conduct in-depth market analysis to identify and understand evolving trends, competitor strategies, and regulatory changes affecting payout solutions.
• Implement ongoing customer feedback mechanisms, such as surveys and user testing, to gather direct insights from end-users about their experiences and expectations.
• Analyse customer usage data to identify pain points and areas for improvement, ensuring product development is led by user-centric data insights

Cross-functional Collaboration:

• Serve as the chief liaison among technical teams (engineering and IT), design teams, business operations, marketing, and external partners to ensure alignment and cooperation throughout the product development process.
• Organise and lead cross-functional meetings to foster team synergy, ensuring all departments are informed and engaged with the product's progress and strategic direction.
• Coordinate with finance and legal teams to ensure product solutions are cost-effective and comply with all regulatory requirements.

Performance Management:

• Establish and monitor key performance indicators (KPIs) such as customer acquisition cost, retention rates, and overall user satisfaction to gauge product performance.
• Regularly present performance reports to executive teams and stakeholders, providing insights and strategic recommendations based on data analytics.
• Implement A/B testing and other experimental methods to refine products, enhance user experience, and optimise operational efficiency

Compliance and Security Oversight:

• Oversee the integration of the latest security protocols and ensure all payout products meet the highest standards of data protection and privacy laws.
• Stay abreast of new regulatory developments affecting payment solutions globally and particularly in African markets, adapting product features to maintain compliance.
• Coordinate audits and risk assessments with the compliance team to preemptively address potential security vulnerabilities.

QUALIFICATIONS & EXPERIENCE:

• A minimum of 8 years of experience, with at least 4 years in payment product roles.
• Advanced degrees in business, technology, or related fields are preferred, highlighting a solid foundation in both theoretical and practical aspects of product management and development.
• Deep understanding and experience working on remittances and cross-border payments both international and Africa, including regulatory frameworks and industry trends.
• Knowledge of the African payments landscape.
• Certifications: Relevant certifications might include Certified Scrum Product Owner (CSPO), Pragmatic Certified Product Manager, or similar credentials that emphasise expertise in product development and agile methodologies.

SKILLS AND ATTRIBUTES PREFERRED:

• Expertise in financial technologies and payment systems, with a strong understanding of digital payment gateways and security protocols.
• Strong leadership skills, with the ability to manage and inspire a team of product managers.
• Excellent communication and stakeholder management skills, essential for coordinating with multiple teams and reporting to executive leadership.
• Strong number crunching capabilities with the ability to navigate and use data analysis tools to drive a data driven approach to insights and recommendations
• A strategic mindset capable of balancing various perspectives and making informed decisions that align with business goals.