(1906) Strategic Product Director - Exe Man

Brief description

The main purpose of this position is to define the vision, strategy and end-to-end product management approach for centrally provisioned payment products delivered through the Payments Ecosystem Modernisation (PEM) Programme at the South African Reserve Bank (SARB).

Detailed description

The successful candidate will be responsible for the following key performance areas:

- Lead the discovery, design and evolution of centrally provisioned payment products that address validated market, participant and end-user needs.
- Define clear product value propositions, target users, service outcomes and market positioning in collaboration with business, policy, regulatory, technology, architecture and delivery teams.
- Direct customer, market and global payments research, and translate insights into evidence-based product strategies and investment priorities.
- Own the prioritised, outcome-based product roadmaps aligned with the PEM Programme roadmap, enterprise architecture and approved policy objectives.
- Translate applicable policy, legal and regulatory requirements into product principles, requirements and implementation guardrails, in partnership with the relevant accountable functions.
- Identify, assess and prioritise opportunities for new or enhanced payment products, supported by clear business cases, benefits, dependencies and risk considerations.
- Lead structured co-creation and consultation with payment system participants, public sector stakeholders and other industry counterparts to support product adoption and implementation readiness.
- Direct the development of sustainable product funding, pricing, costing and cost recovery models, taking account of public interest, accessibility and adoption objectives.
- Establish the product management operating model, governance, decision rights, standards and capabilities required for a centralised payment product function.
- Develop a comprehensive centralised payment product vision and strategy.
- Lead multidisciplinary product teams across the full product life cycle, from discovery and validation through delivery and adoption to performance management, continuous improvement and retirement.

Job requirements

To be considered for this position, candidates must be in possession of:

- at least a Master’s degree (NQF level 9) in Banking, Economics or Finance, or an equivalent qualification; and
- at least 10 to 12 years’ experience in an economics or financial environment, part of which should be in a senior management position.

Additional requirements include:

- proven strategic leadership;
- the ability to influence at executive and industry level;
- demonstrated capability to build, lead and develop high-performing multidisciplinary product teams;
- experience in leading large, complex programmes, projects or business functions;
- sound knowledge of the national payment system, payment infrastructure, governance, risk management, competition considerations and regulatory frameworks;
- excellent stakeholder engagement, negotiation and relationship management skills;
- strong financial and business acumen, including budget management;
- the ability to operate effectively in a dynamic and ever-evolving environment;
- a proven track record of driving organisational change, innovation and continuous improvement; and
- exceptional communication, presentation and report-writing skills.

In line with the SARB’s commitment to diversifying its workforce, preference will be given to suitable candidates from designated groups. People with disabilities are welcome to apply.

The SARB offers remuneration and benefits commensurate with the level of the position and in line with the market. The level at which the successful applicant will be appointed will depend on his/her competence and experience.