Cellulant is Africa’s no.1 company in the payments & transfers category - FIntech Awards 2016. We are a PPISP (Payment Platform Infrastructure Service Provider) regulated by the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) and insured by Nigerian Deposit Insurance Corporation (NDIC).
We are recruiting to fill the position below:
Job Title: Principal Product Owner, Payment Methods Partnerships
We are seeking a strategic Product Owner to lead payment methods partnerships across African markets.
This role will focus on building, managing, and optimizing strategic partnerships with mobile network operators, banks, payment processors, and fintech providers to expand our payment ecosystem and drive market penetration across the continent.
Develop comprehensive partnership strategy for payment methods across our footprint in Africa markets including new and emerging markets as we expand.
Identify, evaluate, and prioritize potential partners including mobile network operators (MTN, Safaricom, Orange, Airtel e.t.c), banks, payment processors, and local fintech companies
Lead partnership negotiations and structure commercial and service level agreements that drive mutual growth and market expansion
Create partnership frameworks and templates that can be scaled across multiple markets and use cases
Product Integration & Management:
Oversee end-to-end product integration for new payment partners, ensuring seamless technical implementation and optimal user experience
Collaborate with engineering teams to establish standardized API frameworks and integration processes for rapid partner onboarding
Manage product roadmap for partnership-driven features including payment routing optimization, settlement workflows, and reconciliation processes
Drive product requirements for partner-specific customizations while maintaining platform scalability
Business Development & Growth:
Partner with business development teams to identify market entry opportunities and partnership-driven growth initiatives
Develop go-to-market strategies for new payment methods introduced through partnerships
Create joint value propositions and business cases for potential partners to accelerate deal closure
Establish performance metrics and success criteria for partnership initiatives including transaction volume, conversion rates, and revenue attribution
Stakeholder Management:
Build and maintain strong relationships with key partners including C-level executives, product leaders, and their technical teams.
Coordinate cross-functional initiatives involving legal, compliance, finance, and engineering teams
Present partnership performance and strategic updates to executive leadership as appropriate.
Manage partner communications including regular business reviews, product updates, and strategic planning sessions
Market Intelligence & Analysis:
Conduct comprehensive market research on payment infrastructure, competitive landscape, and partnership opportunities across African markets
Analyze partnership performance data to identify optimization opportunities and inform strategic decisions.
Monitor regulatory developments and industry trends that impact partnership strategies
Gather market feedback from partners to inform product development and competitive positioning.
Key Performance Indicators
Number of new payment method partnerships established quarterly.
Partnership-driven transaction volume and revenue growth.
Time-to-market for new partner integrations.
Partner satisfaction scores and relationship health metrics.
Market share growth in targeted African markets.
Partnership ROI and contribution to overall business objectives.
Partnership success rates.
Experience and Qualifications
Experience & Background
5+ years of product management or business development experience in fintech, payments, or financial services
2+ years of experience managing strategic partnerships or business development in African markets
Proven track record of successfully negotiating and managing complex B2B partnerships
Experience working with payment service providers, mobile network operators, or financial institutions in Africa.
Preferred Qualifications:
MBA or Advanced Degree in Business, Engineering, or related field
Previous experience at high-growth fintech, payments, or B2B software company
Direct experience living or working in multiple African markets
Existing relationships with key players in African fintech and payments ecosystem
Knowledge of local languages and cultural nuances across target markets and their impact on product experiences.
Experience with partnership management platforms and CRM systems
Partnership & Business Skills:
Strong negotiation and deal structuring experience with ability to create win-win partnership agreements
Experience managing partner relationships and driving joint go-to-market initiatives
Understanding of partnership economics including revenue sharing models, technical integration costs, and mutual value creation
Demonstrated ability to influence without authority and manage complex stakeholder relationships
Technical & Product Skills:
Deep understanding of payment processing, APIs, and financial infrastructure
Experience with technical partnership integrations and API management
Knowledge of African payment ecosystems including mobile money, banking rails, and digital payment platforms
Familiarity with compliance requirements including PCI DSS, KYC/AML, and local regulatory frameworks across Africa.
Strategic & Analytical Skills:
Strong analytical skills with experience using data to evaluate partnership performance and opportunities
Ability to develop business cases and financial models for partnership initiatives
Experience with market research methodologies and competitive analysis
Understanding of B2B SaaS business models and growth metrics
Personal Attributes:
Entrepreneurial mindset with ability to identify and pursue new business opportunities
Strong relationship-building skills with cultural sensitivity for diverse African markets
Results-driven approach with focus on measurable partnership outcomes
Excellent communication and presentation skills for senior-level stakeholder management
Adaptability and resilience in fast-paced, ambiguous environments
Strategic thinker with strong execution capabilities