Head of Strategy, Product & Business Dev

Who are we?

Sanlam Fintech is a newly established digital first business within the Sanlam Group on a mission to democratise financial advice and solutions for everyone across the African continent. We exist to pioneer inclusive financial confidence helping people build strong foundations to bridge the gap in generational wealth. Our culture is that of agility and constant deployment, we believe in learning fast, learning cheap and learning forward. Our aim is to provide a work environment where knowledge workers can accelerate the development of their ideas and bring innovation to market, at the same time provide compelling career and development proposition that will enable them to realise their dreams.

Position overview

Sanlam Rewards & Loyalty is seeking a visionary and results-oriented leader to head our Strategy, Product & Business Development function for our exciting Coalition Rewards program serving the Financial Services and Retail industries. You will be responsible for defining the program's strategic direction, shaping its product roadmap, and identifying and executing growth opportunities through innovative partnerships and business ventures. This role demands a blend of strategic thinking, product design expertise, and business acumen, with a clear understanding of the evolving financial services and retail landscapes. If you are passionate about building successful programs and possess a keen eye for growth opportunities, we encourage you to apply.

What will you do?

• Product Vision and Roadmap Setting:
• Jointly Define Product Vision: The Head of Strategy collaborates with product managers to translate the overall program strategy into a product vision that defines long-term goals and desired member experiences. This joint effort ensures product portfolios align with strategic objectives.
• Prioritize Product Features: Through collaborative discussions and data analysis, they prioritize features across portfolios based on member needs, business objectives, and potential impact. This ensures resources are allocated effectively to deliver maximum value.

• Competitor Analysis and Market Insights:
• Share Industry Trends and Research: The Head of Strategy shares findings from market research and competitor analysis, informing product managers of emerging trends and potential threats/opportunities. This empowers them to adapt their portfolios and stay ahead of the curve.
• Gather Product Manager Feedback: Product managers provide valuable insights into member trends, pain points, and competitor offerings. The Head of Strategy gathers and integrates this feedback into strategic planning, shaping future product decisions.

• Product Development and Iteration:
• Review Product Prototypes and Designs: The Head of Strategy provides strategic feedback on product prototypes and designs, ensuring alignment with overall program goals and brand identity. This collaboration refines product offerings before launch.
• Analyse Product Performance and User Data: After launch, they collaborate with product managers to analyse user data and performance metrics, identifying areas for improvement and informing future iterations of product portfolios.

• Cross-Portfolio Innovation and Collaboration:
• Facilitate Knowledge Sharing and Best Practices: The Head of Strategy encourages knowledge sharing sessions and joint brainstorming between product managers to foster cross-portfolio innovation and collaborative problem-solving.
• Identify Synergies and Joint Initiatives: They collaborate with product managers to identify opportunities for cross-portfolio initiatives that leverage combined strengths and create enhanced member experiences. This collaborative approach maximises the potential of the program as a whole.

• Communication and Stakeholder Management:
• Align Messaging and Communicate Product Roadmaps: The Head of Strategy works with product managers to develop consistent messaging and communicate product roadmaps to internal and external stakeholders, ensuring transparency and alignment.
• Support Product Managers in Presenting and Negotiating: They provide mentorship and coaching to product managers, supporting them in effectively presenting their portfolios and negotiating with partners or other stakeholders.

By fostering these collaborative practices, the Head of Strategy acts as a guiding force, empowering product managers to lead their portfolios while ensuring alignment with the broader program vision and strategic objectives. This collaborative approach drives innovation, optimizes resources, and ultimately strengthens the overall success of the Coalition Rewards program.

Other Key Responsibilities

• Develop and define the program's overall strategy: Conduct market research, analyse trends, and develop a comprehensive strategy that aligns with business objectives and delivers compelling value to members and partners.
• Lead the product development and roadmap: Define the product vision, prioritise features, and oversee the development process to ensure the program remains innovative and meets member needs.
• Identify and assess new business opportunities: Proactively explore new markets, partnerships, and business models to drive program growth and diversification.
• Lead the development and execution of new business ventures: Build and launch new business offerings or partnerships that complement the core program and create additional value streams.
• Manage and build strategic partnerships: Develop and manage strategic partnerships with financial institutions, retailers, and other relevant stakeholders to expand reach and enhance program offerings.
• Collaborate with internal teams: Partner with Marketing, Sales, Technology, and other departments to ensure alignment and successful execution of strategic initiatives.
• Analyse and track program performance: Monitor key performance indicators (KPIs) to measure the effectiveness of strategies and initiatives and ensure alignment with program goals.
• Stay abreast of industry trends and best practices: Continuously monitor the evolving financial services and retail landscapes, identifying emerging trends and disruptive technologies.
• Develop and manage a high-performing team: Build and motivate a team of professionals responsible for executing strategic initiatives and driving growth.
• Communicate effectively and persuasively: Effectively communicate strategic plans, business cases, and opportunities to various stakeholders, including executive teams, partners, and investors.

Specific Collaborations

• Financial Services Partners: Collaborate with partners to develop co-branded offerings, integrate their services into the program, and explore joint marketing and sales initiatives.
• Retail Partners: Partner with retailers to expand the program's reach and offer members more redemption options, negotiating mutually beneficial agreements and driving value exchange.
• Technology Partners: Partner with technology providers to develop and implement innovative solutions that enhance program functionality and member experience.
• Marketing & Sales: Collaborate with Marketing and Sales teams to target campaigns, design engaging product demos, and effectively communicate the program's value proposition to potential partners and members.
• Program Management & Operations: Work closely with Program Management and Operations teams to ensure seamless integration of new products, partners, and offerings into the program's infrastructure and daily operations

What will make you successful in this role?

• Proven track record of success in developing and executing strategic business plans in a B2B or financial services context.
• Deep understanding of the financial services and retail industries, and their respective regulatory environments.
• Strong product management and product development experience, with a focus on customer-centricity and innovation.
• Experience in building and managing strategic partnerships with complex organisations.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills, with the ability to make data-driven decisions.
• Excellent communication and presentation skills, with the ability to influence and negotiate with stakeholders at all levels.
• Leadership and team management skills, fostering a collaborative and high-performing team environment.

Qualification And Experience

Degree with 10 to 12 years related experience.

Knowledge And Skills

Strategic Planning

Business Innovation

Forecasting

Business Knowledge

Research and competitor analysis

Personal Attributes

Organisational savvy - Contributing strategically

Balances stakeholders - Contributing strategically

Plans and aligns - Contributing strategically

Optimises work processes - Contributing strategically

Build a successful career with us

Were all about building strong, lasting relationships with our employees. We know that you have hopes for your future your career, your personal development and of achieving great things. We pride ourselves in helping our employees to realise their worth. Through its five business clusters Sanlam Fintech, Sanlam Life and Savings, Sanlam Investment Group, Sanlam Allianz, Santam, as well as MiWay and the Group Office the group provides many opportunities for growth and development.

Core Competencies

Cultivates innovation - Contributing strategically

Customer focus - Contributing strategically

Drives results - Contributing strategically

Collaborates - Contributing strategically

Being resilient - Contributing strategically

Turnaround time

The shortlisting process will only start once the application due date has been reached. The time taken to complete this process will depend on how far you progress and the availability of managers.

Our commitment to transformation

The Sanlam Group is committed to achieving transformation and embraces diversity. This commitment is what drives us to achieve a diverse, inclusive and equitable workplace as we believe that these are key components to ensuring a thriving and sustainable business in South Africa. The Group's Employment Equity plan and targets will be considered as part of the selection process.