Partnership and Ecosystem Manager

KEY TASKS AND RESPONSIBILITIES

• Identify, negotiate, and establish strategic partnerships that align with Old Mutual's growth objectives and product offerings.
• Collaborate with internal teams to ensure seamless integration of insurance products and services into partner ecosystems.
• Work with partners to co-develop tailored insurance and financial services solutions that meet the unique needs of specific customer segments, such as SMEs, SACCOs, and chamas.
• Lead efforts to enter new markets or expand in existing ones by leveraging strategic partnerships.
• Build and maintain strong relationships with key partners, industry stakeholders, and internal departments to foster collaboration and shared success.
• Oversee the lifecycle of partnership projects from initiation through implementation, ensuring timelines, deliverables, and KPIs are met.
• Drive revenue generation through partnerships by enhancing product adoption and customer acquisition.
• Stay informed about industry trends, emerging ecosystems, and innovative partnership models to inform strategy and decision-making.
• Develop and monitor KPIs for partnership success and regularly report progress and learnings to senior leadership.
• Work closely with tech platforms, financial institutions, and ecosystem enablers to identify synergies and opportunities for embedding solutions.

Identify, explore, and launch new business models within various ecosystems to drive innovation and growth.

Success in this role will be demonstrated by the establishment of high-impact partnerships that drive significant revenue growth and market expansion for Old Mutual East Africa. The successful candidate will have effectively integrated Old Mutual's products and services into partner ecosystems, resulting in increased customer acquisition and satisfaction. Additionally, the role will be marked by strong stakeholder relationships, seamless project execution, and the ability to leverage data-driven insights to continuously improve partnership strategies and outcomes.

SKILLS AND COMPETENCIES

• Strategic Thinking: Ability to develop and implement long-term partnership strategies that align with business objectives.
• Customer First: Putting the customer at the heart of business decisions and driving to improve value for customers.
• Relationship Building: Exceptional interpersonal skills to establish trust and credibility with diverse stakeholders.
• Negotiation and Influence: Strong ability to negotiate terms and influence outcomes that benefit all parties involved.
• Project Management: Proficiency in managing multiple partnership projects simultaneously, ensuring timely delivery and alignment with goals.
• Analytical Skills: Capability to analyze market trends, partnership performance, and customer insights to inform decisions.
• Communication: Excellent written and verbal communication skills to articulate value propositions and present proposals.
• Problem-Solving: Proactive in identifying challenges and creating innovative solutions in partnership development.
• Leading with Influence: Influencing and rallying people behind common goals and inspiring others to exceed expectations.
• Execution: Displaying consistent energy, drive, and perseverance to deliver results.
• Innovation (Perspective): Generating creative solutions, challenging the status quo, and introducing novel ideas.

KNOWLEDGE & EXPERIENCE

• Industry Knowledge: Deep understanding of the financial services industry, including trends in embedded insurance, digitization, and ecosystem integration.
• Stakeholder Management: Demonstrated ability to manage relationships with internal and external stakeholders, including senior executives.
• Partnership Ecosystems: Proven experience working with SACCOs, fintechs, startups, or similar organizations to develop joint solutions.
• Business Development: Track record of driving revenue growth through strategic partnerships and ecosystem collaborations.
• Tech-Driven Solutions: Experience in integrating digital solutions into partner platforms to enhance customer experience and product adoption.

QUALIFICATIONS

• Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration, Marketing, Computer Science, or a related field.
• At least 5+ years of experience in partnerships, business development, or ecosystem management.
• Familiarity with digital transformation in the financial services sector and integration of tech-driven solutions.