Head of Business and Partnerships

Role Purpose Lead business development and partnerships to drive profitable, sustainable growth in consumer microfinance. Develop commercial relationships and acquisition channels that expand customer reach, improve acquisition economics, and support portfolio growth within approved risk appetite. Key Responsibilities Reports to: CEO Industry: Fintech • Business Strategy: Develop and execute the annual business plan, defining growth targets, budgets, priority segments, and acquisition strategies. • Strategic Partnerships: Identify, negotiate, and manage partnerships with employers, merchants, digital platforms, fintechs, and other relevant partners. • Commercial Development: Prepare business cases, assess commercial viability, negotiate terms, and ensure alignment with Finance, Risk, Legal, and Compliance. • Channel Development: Launch and scale partnership-led acquisition and distribution channels, coordinating implementation and operational readiness. • Partner Performance: Monitor partnership performance, customer acquisition, financing volumes, conversion, profitability, and portfolio quality. • Market Development: Identify market opportunities, monitor competitor activities, and collaborate with Product and Marketing to improve customer acquisition and conversion. • Team Leadership: Lead and develop the business development and partnerships team, maintain pipeline discipline, and report performance and growth opportunities to the CEO. • Governance: Ensure partnerships, contracts, and commercial commitments comply with internal policies, regulatory requirements, and approval authorities. Authority and Working Relationships • Accountable for commercial pipeline, partnership relationships, and approved business targets. • Negotiate within approved parameters; contractual commitments and expenditures remain subject to delegated authority. • Coordinate with Finance, Risk, Legal, Compliance, IT, Operations, and Treasury as required. Qualifications and Experience • Bachelor's degree in Business Administration, Finance, Economics, or a related field; postgraduate qualification preferred. • 10+ years of experience in business development, partnerships, or commercial leadership within financial services or fintech. • At least 3 years of team or functional leadership experience. • Proven success in developing partnerships and acquisition channels with measurable commercial results. • Strong understanding of consumer finance, digital customer journeys, and regulated financial services.

Bachelor's degree in Business Administration, Finance, Economics, or a related field; postgraduate qualification preferred. 10+ years of experience in business development, partnerships, or commercial leadership within financial services or fintech. At least 3 years of team or functional leadership experience. Proven success in developing partnerships and acquisition channels with measurable commercial results. Strong understanding of consumer finance, digital customer journeys, and regulated financial services.

Develop and execute the annual business plan, defining growth targets, budgets, priority segments, and acquisition strategies. Identify, negotiate, and manage partnerships with employers, merchants, digital platforms, fintechs, and other relevant partners. Prepare business cases, assess commercial viability, negotiate terms, and ensure alignment with Finance, Risk, Legal, and Compliance. Launch and scale partnership-led acquisition and distribution channels, coordinating implementation and operational readiness. Monitor partnership performance, customer acquisition, financing volumes, conversion, profitability, and portfolio quality. Identify market opportunities, monitor competitor activities, and collaborate with Product and Marketing to improve customer acquisition and conversion. Lead and develop the business development and partnerships team, maintain pipeline discipline, and report performance and growth opportunities to the CEO. Ensure partnerships, contracts, and commercial commitments comply with internal policies, regulatory requirements, and approval authorities.