Country Business Development (Country Management/ Business Development/ Fintech)

Vice President, Country Business Development (Country Management/ Business Development/ Fintech) – Abidjan, Ivory Coast

Reference Number: SP-VP, CBD-001

Nature and Scope:

The VP, Country Business Development is responsible for overall country leadership across customer, employee, and regulatory dimensions, with full accountability for delivering the company’s business proposition in designated markets. Operating within a business group structure, the role carries responsibility for achieving assigned functional and commercial objectives while aligning closely with divisional and regional leadership.

The VP will define and execute the country’s strategic direction, driving sustainable growth through the implementation of corporate strategy and targeted growth initiatives. A key focus of the role is building deep, value-driven partnerships with customers and stakeholders—moving beyond transactional engagement to deliver measurable, strategic impact aligned to clients’ business objectives.

Key Duties and Responsibilities:

• Accountability for the business objectives and P&L for the FSSA geography, as assigned by the business group to whom the leader reports.
• Define the markets’ country’s strategic direction, together with Divisional and Regional leadership, contributing to the overall growth and success of the company through growth initiatives and implementation of the company strategy.
• Strategic input into business development, and ongoing management of deals for (`both existing as well as potential new customers). This includes input into the structure of the deal, as well as reviewing the strategic merits, effectiveness, chance of customer success and financial benefit to the business, in association with planning and the respective business development team.
• Forge strong interpersonal influence and alliances at all levels both within and outside the organization, especially at CXO levels in customer, regulator and partner organisations.
• Manage all customer facing teams and staff, fostering a strong, dynamic and performance-oriented culture that also executes against a formal “Value Driver Selling” process.
• Lead the running of the Dakar, Senegal and Abidjan, Cote D’Ivoire offices, providing leadership as well as day-to-day support on all high priority projects and initiatives.

Financial Objectives:

• Directly responsible for the P&L of the FSSA business across all business lines; Identify and deliver on opportunities for revenue growth and be accountable for financial compliance and maintenance of acceptable audit standards.

Stakeholder Relationship Management Act as the senior face-in-the-market and direct owner for all engagements with customers, business partners, retailers, regulatory authorities and external relations.

• Ownership for all for all accounts operating in the market; provide business direction to the national accounts which reports directly and provide market guidance to regional accounts and global accounts operating in the country
• Provide leadership for the tactical and strategic approach to market for marketing, product, customer delivery and market development activities including campaigns, channel development, public relations, media and press and the overall brand for consistency in engagement, distribution and fulfillment locally.

Regulatory: work closely with Divisional and Regional regulatory teams to:

• Act as the prime representative to local authorities and industry boards in line with the corporate, regulatory and public affairs strategy.
• Establish and maintain effective relationships with regulators across all the markets in FSSA to deal with challenging regulatory scenarios.
• Develop a good understanding of regulatory issues and relationships with the central banks and other key regulatory stakeholders.
• Monitor the general economic, competitive forces and payments environment, anticipating consequences and trends, to create competitive breakthrough strategies and plans.
• Accountable for resources optimization (local operations) and for the health and safety regulations and matters such as legal reporting requirements, working with appropriate support functions.

Country Operations

• Responsible for the workplace environment and building and maintaining employee engagement and satisfaction.
• Responsible for communications locally in line with corporate communications strategy and content.
• Employee Relations/Management: mentor new & existing employees in terms of understanding the business, the business models (including key profitability drivers, for both the financial institution as well as the business) and culture.
• Elevate the relationship with customers, from divisional managers and directors to Bank executives, CEO and Divisional COOs. Guiding and assisting others to achieve more of a trusted advisor relationship is essential.
• The business is in a high growth phase with ambitions to drive this growth rate higher. Hence leading and developing the teams in the business is of critical importance.
• Serve as an “advisor” for business leaders and remote management for business groups and functions operating in the country with matrixed or parallel reporting lines, to ensure consistency of business objectives and operations
• Monitor overall employee performance against objectives and pursue corrective measures with the appropriate management, as required
• Ensure appropriate deployment of company policies, procedures and processes in the local country office. Exercise sound financial management; implement and monitor internal controls in the country operations.

Role Specifications:

• Bi-lingual with fluent written and spoken French and English language skills
• University degree. Advanced degree preferred.
• 15 – 20 years of experience in significant general management / business development roles in the retail banking payments or fintech space.
• Experience within the IT, Consulting, Telecom or Retail industries may be relevant if the individual has managed Bank relationships.
• Knowledge of Bank payment systems would be an advantage.
• Global / International experience beyond the home market.

Benefits and Contractual information:

• Willing and able to relocate to Abidjan, Ivory Coast
• Only qualified candidates are encouraged to apply.

If you wish to apply for the position, please send your CV to Shearidan Pearman at spearman@caglobalint.com

Please visit www.caglobalint.com for more exciting opportunities.

Shearidan Pearman

Recruitment Manager – Banking and Finance | Africa & Middle East

CA Global Finance

CA Global will respond to short-listed candidates only. If you have not had any response in two weeks, please consider your application unsuccessful however your CV will be kept on our database for any other suitable positions.