Senior Product Manager: Value Added Services at Cellulant

JOB DESCRIPTION:

• Role Overview: We are seeking a Commercial & Integration Product Owner for VAS who will be responsible for overseeing the entire lifecycle of our VAS offerings, including Billers, Data & Airtime, and Messaging (USSD + SMS, Bulk and Single) and Data Monetization. This role combines strategic product ownership, commercial insight, and technical expertise to ensure that these products deliver exceptional value to both customers and the business.
• As the owner of these products, you will define the vision, strategy, and roadmap while ensuring successful integration with both internal systems and external partners. You will also take an active role in presales conversations, helping acquire new business and expanding existing client relationships. You will work closely with cross-functional teams including engineering, sales, marketing, and customer support to ensure seamless product delivery and optimal customer experiences

Key Responsibilities:
Vision & Strategy Development:

• Lead the vision, strategy, and product roadmap for the Billers, Data & Airtime, and Messaging (USSD + SMS) and Data Monetization products, aligning with the overall company objectives and market demands.
• Identify opportunities for data-driven innovation and define strategies to monetize customer data responsibly and ethically, leveraging insights for business growth.
• Identify key growth opportunities for VAS offerings, using market insights, customer feedback, and competitor analysis to shape product features and value propositions.
• Stay ahead of industry trends and emerging technologies in the telecommunications and payments sectors, ensuring that our VAS offerings remain competitive and relevant.
• Define clear product goals and KPIs to measure success and ensure that products deliver value to both the business and customers.

Commercial Ownership & Business Development:

• Own the commercial lifecycle of VAS products, from ideation through to delivery and ongoing optimization, ensuring alignment with customer needs and market demands.
• Lead presales conversations with potential clients, helping them understand the value of our VAS offerings (Billers, Data, Airtime, and Messaging) and data monetization, and tailor solutions to meet their specific requirements.
• Collaborate with the sales and business development teams to generate new business and expand our market share by identifying new opportunities for product adoption.
• Develop strong relationships with key stakeholders, including billers, telecom operators, and external vendors, ensuring product adoption and growth.
• Support the sales team by providing product knowledge and technical expertise during the presales process, contributing to the successful acquisition of new clients.

Integration Management:

• Oversee the integration of VAS products including data-driven platforms with client systems, telecom operators, and third-party platforms, ensuring seamless connectivity and high-quality service delivery.
• Ensure all technical requirements for integration are defined and met, working closely with engineering teams to ensure a smooth implementation process.
• Troubleshoot and resolve any integration issues during the onboarding process, providing guidance and support to clients and partners.
• Document integration best practices and maintain clear communication with clients and internal teams to ensure efficient and effective implementations.

Product Delivery & Cross-Functional Collaboration:

• Work with engineering teams to define product requirements, develop technical specifications, and ensure that VAS products are developed according to timelines and quality standards.
• Collaborate with marketing and customer support teams to ensure proper product positioning, user adoption, and customer education.
• Provide training to internal teams (sales, marketing, customer support) on the capabilities and data monetization solutions and benefits of VAS products to drive business success.
• Ensure that product documentation, including user guides and technical manuals, is clear, up-to-date, and accessible to internal and external stakeholders.

Performance Monitoring & Data Monetization:

• Monitor the performance of VAS products, analyzing usage patterns, customer feedback, and market data to identify areas for improvement.
• Use product performance metrics to continuously optimize the product suite, enhancing functionality and user experience.
• Collaborate with engineering to prioritize product enhancements and new features based on customer feedback and business priorities.
• Drive product adoption and customer retention by ensuring products are consistently aligned with customer needs and deliver measurable value

Risk Management & Compliance:

• Ensure all VAS products comply with industry regulations and standards, including data privacy, security, and telecommunications regulations.
• Work closely with legal, compliance, and security teams to address any regulatory or security concerns and ensure product compliance.
• Proactively identify and manage risks related to product performance, client integrations, and market dynamics.

Educational and Experience Requirements:

• Bachelor's degree in Business, Engineering, Computer Science, Telecommunications, or a related field. Advanced degrees or relevant certifications are a plus.
• 7-10 years of experience in product management or product ownership, with a focus on Value-Added Services (VAS) in telecommunications, payments, or similar industries.
• Proven experience in managing presales conversations and acquiring new business, with a strong understanding of customer needs and how to provide tailored solutions.
• Expertise in managing the commercial and technical aspects of products like billers, data/airtime services, and messaging solutions (USSD, SMS)\and data-driven platforms.
• Experience working with telecom operators, third-party platforms, and integrating complex systems.

Skills & Expertise:

• Strong commercial acumen with the ability to define product strategy, develop business cases, and engage in presales conversations with prospective clients.
• Solid technical understanding of integration processes, APIs, and the architecture of VAS products like USSD/SMS, bill payment systems, and airtime top-up services data monetization platforms,
• Strong communication skills, capable of conveying complex technical concepts to both internal stakeholders and external customers.
• Proficiency in agile methodologies and product lifecycle management tools (e.g., JIRA, Confluence).
• Customer-centric mindset with a passion for creating innovative solutions that meet market demands and enhance the customer experience.
• Highly organized, proactive, and results-driven, with the ability to balance multiple priorities and drive cross-functional teams towards common goals.
• Strong leadership skills, with the ability to influence and engage stakeholders at all levels.
• Be based in Africa or willing to spend significant time in Africa to engage with customers and teams effectively.