Vice President Strategic Partnerships at Interswitch

Job Purpose

• To enable the Strategic Planning and Business Performance Management
• Processes within the allocated businesses. To provide insight in line with industry and market trends to a cluster of business leaders, to enable the validation of strategic direction, execution, and realization of strategies / plans.

Responsibilities

Economic Research

• Develop and deliver a plan for significant aspects of an economic research programme with guidance from the Group Head, Strategy and Professional Services.
• Source information on the external environment, the payments industry and other industries of interest, existing and potential competition, and other macro and micro economic factors that may impact the business cluster.

Customer Needs / Experience Research

• Lead the design and execution of approaches, tools, procedures, and initiatives (e.g., voice of the customer) that enable insight into customer segments, trends, needs, and expectations.
• Drive the delivery of timely and quality deliverables by the Strategy and Professional Services team through the mapping and monitoring of clear processes, frameworks and standards aligned with the unit's annual schedule.

Strategic Initiatives

• Strategic initiatives include project and product initiatives that will improve Verve business and eliminate the competitive advantage held by other international card schemes such as contactless (card & phones), 3DS, direct debit using MPINs, blockchain, card to card transfers, tokenization etc.
• Provide direction and support to Paytoken & Interswitch personnel leading cross functional and multi-country teams on the engagement and onboarding of strategic partners. Lead/facilitate new markets entries and onboarding of complex partnerships.

Information and Business Advice

• Provide specialist advice on the interpretation and application of policies and procedures, resolving complex or contentious queries and issues and enabling others to take appropriate actions.
• Coordinate support to all the Divisional CEOs, especially within cluster, by providing relevant information to develop their strategies and assess their performance.

Insights and Reporting

• Contribute to the design and creation of reporting strategies and templates.
• Lead execution of complex reports, identifying and interpreting complex patterns and trends, and translating those insights into actionable recommendations.
• Manage the timely completion of all strategy and business performance activities as per the unit's annual schedule.

Leadership and Direction

• Communicate the actions needed to implement the Strategy and Professional Services function's strategy and business plan within the team.
• Lead strategy formulation and implementation to achieve the objective of the Strategic Partnerships Group

Behavioural Competencies

Manages Complexity

• Makes sense of complex, high quantity, and sometimes contradictory information to effectively solve problems. For example, asks questions to encourage others to think differently and enrich their analyses of complex situations. Accurately defines the key elements of complex, ambiguous situations.

Strategic Mindset

• Sees ahead to future possibilities and translates them into breakthrough strategies. For example, knows what to prioritise for the greatest strategic impact on the organisation. Takes industry and market trends into account in decisions. Explores possibilities that may impact the team or organization in the future.

Business Insight

• Applies knowledge of business and the marketplace to advance the organisation's goals. For example, clearly understands how own activities relate to critical business drivers. Monitors business news and market changes for impact on the business or on own expertise area; uses this to shape decisions.

Collaborates

• Builds partnerships and works collaboratively with others to meet shared objectives. For example, readily involves others to accomplish goals; stays in touch and shares information; discourages "us versus them" thinking; shows appreciation for others' ideas and input.

Communicates Effectively

• Develops and delivers multi-mode communications that convey a clear understanding of the unique needs of different audiences. For example, listens attentively and takes an interest. Keeps others well informed; conveys information clearly, concisely, and professionally when speaking or writing.

Optimizes Work Processes

• Knows the most effective and efficient processes to get things done, with a focus on continuous improvement. For example, uses metrics and benchmarks to monitor accuracy and quality. Takes steps to make methods productive and efficient.
• Promptly and effectively addresses process breakdowns.

Drives Results

• Consistently achieves results, even under tough circumstances. For example, regularly pushes self to achieve outstanding outcomes; consistently establishes bold goals for own performance; is passionate about excellent results and significant contributions. Shows great tenacity to complete goals / initiatives in a timely way.

Manages Ambiguity

• Operates effectively, even when things are not certain or the way forward is not clear. For example, embraces change, staying focused, positive, and effective. Addresses problems without clear solutions, making substantial progress.

Instills Trust

• Gains the confidence and trust of others through honesty, integrity, and authenticity. For example, is consistently honest and straightforward; shares uncomfortable information in a clear and helpful manner. Maintains high ethical standards and professional codes of conduct.

Action Oriented

• Takes on new opportunities and tough challenges with a sense of urgency, high energy, and enthusiasm. For example, takes immediate, decisive, independent action to resolve issues or problems. Persists as needed. Quickly and consistently identifies and pursues beneficial new opportunities.

Technical Competencies

Commercial Acumen

• Acts independently to apply comprehensive understanding of the business environment and objectives developing solutions while providing guidance and training to others.

Reporting and Presentation Skills

• Applies comprehensive knowledge and skills to work independently while providing guidance and training to others on reviewing and creating relevant, lucid and effective reports.
• Uses comprehensive knowledge and skills to communicate with other people independently while providing guidance and training to others on speaking in a clear, concise and compelling manner.

Market Research and Analysis

• Applies expertise to act as the organizational authority on using research and analysis to develop a comprehensive understanding of market conditions in order to facilitate the success of a brand, product or service.

Stakeholder Expectation Management

• Works at an advanced level to identify potential stakeholders, analyse their expectations, and develop strategies for managing stakeholders and their expectations. Typically works independently and provides guidance.

Financial Modelling

• Uses comprehensive knowledge and skills to act independently while providing guidance and training to others on developing financial and economic models for planning and monitoring purposes.

Strategic Planning and Organizing

• Applies comprehensive knowledge and / or skills to independently engage in strategic planning.
• Connects solutions to client objectives; Identifies client-specific differentiators; Identifies issues affecting the sale; Knows key client issues; Mitigates uncertainties and roadblocks; Positions partnerships for long-term relationship; Supports partnership goals; Understands the sales stages.

Strategic Project and Programme Alignment

• Works at an advanced level to develop the strategic plan, and roadmap and manage the strategic changes associated with the portfolio. Typically works independently and provides guidance.
• Align work with strategy; Strategic execution framework.

Strengthens Customer Connections

• Works at an advanced level to connect with customers to strengthen the relationship, meeting personal needs through positive customer experiences. Typically works independently and provides guidance.

Masters Service Conversations

• Works at an advanced level to navigate customer conversations by leveraging the four parts of a service conversation: open, learn, reply, and close. Typically works independently and provides guidance.

Portfolio Performance Management

• Works at an advanced level to develop the performance management plan, manage supply and demand, as well as manage value, issue resolution, and changes to the portfolio, all with the focus for process and performance improvement. Typically works independently and provides guidance.
• Forecasting; Status reporting; Status reports; Trend analysis.

EDUCATION

General Education

• University First Degree in Science, Engineering or Social Sciences.

Experience

General Experience

• At least 10 years' experience in Strategic Planning and Implementation, Performance Tracking and Management and Project Management with deep understanding and experience of at least one strategy methodology.

Managerial Experience

• At least 5 experience' in managing people with advanced skills in designing work, allocating work, coaching and appraising team members.