Head of Lending Product Management

Our client is a leading financial institution in Africa, renowned for its innovative approach to inclusive banking and financial services. With a strong commitment to empowering communities, they offer tailored solutions that cater to individuals, SMEs, and corporations. They provide an extensive range of products which includes savings and loans, digital banking, investment options, and financial literacy initiatives. By leveraging technology and fostering sustainable economic growth, our client continues to reshape the financial landscape and support prosperity across the continent.

Job Description:

Our client is seeking a highly experienced and strategic Head of Lending Product Management to lead and drive the overall strategy, development, and management of our lending product portfolio. As the Head of Lending Products Management, you will be responsible for overseeing the end-to-end lifecycle of their lending products, from ideation to launch and ongoing performance management. You will collaborate closely with cross-functional teams, including product managers, risk management, operations, and technology, to ensure the successful delivery of innovative lending solutions that meet customer needs, drive business growth, and mitigate risk. The ideal candidate will have a deep understanding of lending products and the financial industry, exceptional leadership skills, and a track record of driving product success. 

Your daily adventures include:

Product Strategy and Vision:

• Execute and communicate a clear lending product strategy that aligns with the company’s overall goals and objectives.
  
• Identify market trends, customer insights, and competitive landscape to shape the long-term lending product roadmap.
  
• Drive innovation and continuously refine the lending product strategy based on market dynamics, regulatory changes, and customer feedback coming from the Commercial team.
  

Product Development and Management:

• Lead the end-to-end lending product development process, from ideation to launch, ensuring the delivery of high-quality lending solutions.
  
• Collaborate closely with cross-functional teams to define lending product requirements, establish clear milestones, and manage product development cycles.
  
• Ensure adherence to regulatory requirements, risk management policies, and compliance standards throughout the product lifecycle.
  

Portfolio Performance Management:

• Oversee the performance and profitability of the lending product portfolio, analyzing key metrics and implementing strategies for improvement.
  
• Conduct regular portfolio reviews to assess product performance, identify opportunities, and make informed decisions on product enhancements, refinements, or retirements.
  
• Execute pricing strategies provided by the Commercial Team, balancing customer needs, market conditions, and financial objectives.
  

Risk Management and Compliance:

• Collaborate with risk management and compliance teams to ensure lending products comply with regulatory guidelines and internal policies.
  
• Monitor and mitigate lending-related risks, including credit risk, operational risk, and fraud risk, through robust risk assessment and mitigation strategies.
  
• Stay updated on industry best practices, regulatory changes, and emerging risks in lending products, proactively implementing necessary adjustments.
  

Stakeholder Management:

• Build strong relationships with key stakeholders, including executive leadership, risk management, operations, and technology teams, to gather input, align goals, and drive collaboration.
  
• Collaborate closely with the Commercial and marketing teams to develop go-to-market strategies, positioning, and messaging to drive product adoption and revenue growth.
  
• Provide regular updates on lending product performance, roadmap, and strategic initiatives to executive leadership and relevant stakeholders.
  

Market Research and Customer Insights:

• Conduct market research and analysis to identify customer needs, market opportunities, and emerging trends in lending products.
  
• Leverage customer insights and feedback to inform lending product strategy, prioritize features, and drive product enhancements that meet customer expectations.
  
• Foster a deep understanding of customer segments, their borrowing journeys, and pain points to drive customer-centric lending product development.
  

Leadership and Team Management:

• Lead and mentor a team of lending product managers, fostering a culture of excellence, collaboration, and continuous learning.
  
• Set clear objectives, provide guidance, and facilitate the professional growth of team members.
  
• Foster strong cross-functional relationships with risk management, operations, technology, and other teams to drive alignment and collaboration.
  
  

Requirements

What it takes to succeed: 

• Bachelor's degree in a relevant field; MBA or advanced degree is a plus.
  
• Extensive experience (10+ years) in lending products management within the financial industry, with a focus on consumer or commercial lending.
  
• Strong leadership and team management skills, with the ability to inspire and motivate cross-functional teams.
  
• Excellent strategic thinking, problem-solving, and decision-making abilities.
  
• Deep understanding of lending products, including underwriting principles, credit risk assessment, pricing strategies, and compliance requirements.
  
• Strong knowledge of regulatory guidelines and industry best practices in lending products.
  
• Exceptional communication and presentation skills, with the ability to effectively communicate complex concepts to diverse stakeholders.
  
• Strong analytical skills, with experience in leveraging data analytics to drive lending product insights and performance management.
  
• Demonstrated ability to think strategically while also being detail-oriented and execution-focused.
  
• Proven experience in managing stakeholder relationships and driving alignment across teams.
  
• Strong project management skills, with the ability to prioritize and manage multiple projects simultaneously.