Cellulant Group

ABOUT CELLULANT

Cellulant is a leading Pan-African payments technology company that provides a seamless and integrated payment platform for businesses across Africa. With distinct product sets focused on banking, payout, and checkout, Cellulant offers a single API solution that enables businesses to manage their entire payments ecosystem—from collections to disbursements—while allowing consumers to pay using mobile money, local and international cards, or directly from their bank accounts. Cellulant’s robust platform powers digital payments for various sectors, including airlines, telecoms, e-commerce, and financial services, providing access to over 35 markets across the continent. To accelerate its ambitious growth and innovation journey, Cellulant is seeking a Vice President - Product, a pivotal leader who will drive the company’s product vision and execution.​

OUR STORY

Since our founding in 2003, Cellulant has evolved from a digital content provider into a leading payments platform with a presence in 35 African countries. For more than 20 years, we've built a robust network that integrates multiple payment methods, addressing the unique challenges of Africa’s diverse payment landscape.

We began selling ringtones as a digital content business and quickly realised the need for a more streamlined way to manage payments. This realisation led us to develop a platform that initially allowed customers to check their bank balances and eventually evolved into a comprehensive payment solution. Our journey has seen us partner with more than 1000 businesses, including some of the largest banks and mobile money providers on the continent.

Throughout the years, we've continuously adapted and grown, leveraging our experiences to simplify payments for businesses and consumers alike. Today, Cellulant powers online and offline payment processing allowing businesses to collect payments, send payouts, and accelerate business growth. We’re the payment fabric that makes interoperability possible and stitches Africa together for the global economy.

OUR VISION:

To enable seamless payments across Africa for businesses, banks and consumers.

Read more about us and our leadership team .

Role Overview: The VP: Product will be a key figure within Cellulant, responsible for setting the product strategy and roadmap, ensuring its alignment with business objectives, and leading the product teams towards innovative and market-centric solutions.

Qualifications, Skills, and Experience:

Educational Qualifications:

Bachelor’s degree in Business, Technology, Engineering, or a related field. A master’s degree, especially in Business Administration or a relevant field, is an advantage.

Experience:

  • A minimum of 15 years in product development, management, or leadership, preferably within the fintech space
  • Familiarity with the payment sector in emerging markets is crucial.
  • Deep understanding of fintech technologies, including but not limited to payment systems, blockchain, and digital banking.
  • Familiarity with financial regulations across African markets.
  • Demonstrated ability to lead sizable product teams and to launch successful products.
  • A rich portfolio showcasing successful product launches and growth strategies.
  • Demonstrated experience in stakeholder management and C-level collaboration.

Skills:

  • Robust understanding of the FinTech B2B ecosystem and the needs of both online and offline clientele.
  • Stellar communication abilities, essential for cross-team collaboration and stakeholder management.
  • Acumen in market analysis and competitive benchmarking.
  • Strategic thinking, ensuring alignment of product development with broader business goals.
  • Adaptability and resilience are vital to the dynamic landscape of emerging markets.

Key Responsibilities:

  • Strategic Leadership: Define, develop, and implement a robust product strategy that aligns with the company's overarching goals and objectives.
  • Product Lifecycle Management: Oversee the entire product lifecycle, ensuring timely innovations, iterations, and improvements.
  • Collaboration & Coordination: Work closely with fellow C-suite executives to ensure that product strategies and directions are in synergy with overall company objectives. Drive Agile product development practices to ensure rapid iteration, feedback incorporation, and market readiness. Collaborate closely with technology, sales, and marketing teams to ensure cohesive go-to-market strategies.
  • Team Management & Development: Lead and nurture product management, design, and associated teams to foster innovation and efficiency.
  • Market Insight: Conduct in-depth market analyses to remain ahead of trends and competition and ensure customer-centric product development. Customer focus and orientation. Advocate for the customer within the organisation, ensuring user-centric design and functionality in all products.
  • Monetisation & Growth: Identify and capitalise on avenues for revenue growth, exploring new products, partnerships, and market opportunities.
  • Regulatory & Compliance Oversight: Ensure all product offerings comply with relevant financial regulations in our operational countries.

Desired Qualities and Attributes:

  • Visionary mindset with an ability to forecast and adapt to industry shifts.
  • Strong decisiveness coupled with data-driven decision-making abilities.
  • Empathetic understanding of both customer needs and team concerns.
  • Exceptional communication skills, both verbal and written.
  • Cultural awareness and sensitivity given our diverse operational landscape.

Key Matching Criteria for Success:

  • Demonstrated history of product success in similar or adjacent industries.
  • Change leadership – the ability to drive product innovation and steer teams through product lifecycle changes.
  • Mastery in people management, cultivating talent, and fostering collaboration.
  • Experience navigating the unique challenges and opportunities of emerging markets.
  • Deep customer empathy, ensuring products resonate with end-users.
  • A balance of big-picture thinking and meticulous attention to product details.

In Closing: The role of the VP - Product at Cellulant is not just about overseeing product portfolios; it's about crafting the future of payments in the Continent. This position beckons those with a blend of visionary thinking, pragmatic execution, and a deep-rooted passion for delivering products that make a difference. If you're poised to shape the future of an industry, this is your platform.

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