Lead – Growth and Operations (Surge Africa (Techstars’23))
About the job
Job Title: Lead-Growth and Operations
Location: Nairobi, Kenya
Company: Surge Africa
Our Mission:
At Surge Africa, we’re on a mission to transform Intra-Africa payments for individuals and businesses who have a need to make payments within Africa. Currently people and businesses have a hard time making payments within Africa. Most of these happen through banks and informal channels. Many times there is no way to send because in order to convert from one African currency to another you need dollars, that one thing we always seem to lack. Many times, people and business owners have to carry a plastic bag full of cash and travel across the border to make payments.
We’re solving this by building financial services that just work: no fees and instantly available to the beneficiary. In Africa, where banking channels don’t always work, you can still send money through the Surge Africa mobile app. We are launching our mobile app in Kenya and Uganda, to start with, and Tanzania, Rwanda before the end of 2024.
Our goal is to integrate the whole continent into one seamless payment ecosystem so that every individual and business gets the ability to make instant payments across anywhere in Africa 24/7 (cheaper, faster and always available). And, that’s where you come in.
Position Overview:
We are seeking an experienced and driven Business Development Manager to join our team. This role is pivotal in driving the growth of Surge Africa’s user base by onboarding traders, enhancing client relations, and promoting Surge Africa in East Africa, with a specific focus on the Kenyan market. The ideal candidate will have a strong background in business development, operations management, and sales, with a proven track record of success in client relations.
Key Responsibilities:
Business Development:
- Identify and pursue new business opportunities to grow the user base of the business in Kenya.
- Develop and implement strategies to onboard traders and businesses in Kenya and the broader East African region.
- Conduct market research to understand industry trends, customer needs, and competitive landscape.
Client Relations:
- Build and maintain strong relationships with traders, business owners, and other key stakeholders.
- Provide exceptional customer service, addressing client needs and resolving any issues promptly.
- Act as a trusted advisor to clients, offering insights and recommendations to optimize their use of the Surge Africa mobile app.
Sales and Marketing:
- Develop and execute sales strategies to drive app downloads and user engagement.
- Collaborate with the marketing team to create and implement effective promotional campaigns.
- Track and report on sales performance, providing insights and recommendations for improvement.
Operations Management:
- Oversee the day-to-day operations related to business development and client onboarding.
- Ensure efficient processes and workflows to support the rapid growth of the user base.
- Monitor key performance indicators (KPIs) and implement corrective actions as needed.
Training and Support:
- Conduct training sessions and workshops for traders and business owners to demonstrate the benefits of the Surge Africa mobile app.
- Provide ongoing support and guidance to users, ensuring a seamless onboarding experience.
Qualifications:
- Bachelor’s degree in Business, Marketing, or a related field, preferably within the fintech or payments industry.
- At least 5 years of experience in business development, operations management, and sales.
- Proven experience in client relations, with a track record of building and maintaining strong relationships.
- Strong understanding of the East African market, particularly Kenya and Tanzania.
- Excellent communication and interpersonal skills.
- Ability to work independently and as part of a team in a fast-paced and dynamic environment.
- Proficiency in using digital tools and mobile applications.
- Fluency in English, Swahili and Luganda; knowledge of other local languages is a plus.
Benefits:
- Competitive salary and performance-based incentives.
- Opportunity to be part of a pioneering fintech company with a mission to transform financial services in Africa.
- Professional development and growth opportunities.
Join us at Surge Africa and be part of our journey to revolutionize payments across Africa!