Manager, Product Development – Botswana Savings Bank

The role works closely with the Manager, Digital Channels; Manager, Merchant Acquiring; and Manager, Agency Banking as peers, ensuring products are successfully delivered through the appropriate channels while maintaining clear ownership of product strategy and governance.

Core Accountabilities and Responsibilities:

1. Develop and execute the Bank’s product strategy and multi-year product roadmap across Deposits, Lending (Retail and Business), Business Banking, Payments and Cards, identifying new product opportunities aligned to the Bank’s strategy and evolving customer needs, and developing business cases to obtain approvals through the Product Committee and relevant governance structures.
2. Lead product pricing, profitability analysis and financial modelling across the portfolio to develop value propositions and commercial strategies that drive sustainable revenue growth, monitoring performance against targets and implementing corrective actions where required.
3. Manage the end-to-end lifecycle of the Bank’s product portfolio (Deposits, Retail Lending, Business Lending, Business Banking, Payment and Cards), monitoring performance and conducting regular market benchmarking and customer research to recommend enhancements, repricing, or rationalisation that keep products competitive.
4. Provide strategic oversight of the Bank’s Card Issuing portfolio (debit, prepaid and credit cards), ensuring product strategies, pricing, financial performance, scheme compliance and risk management are aligned with the Bank’s objectives, regulatory requirements and card scheme rules.
5. Lead governance of the card portfolio by providing direction to the Specialist, Card Development, overseeing delivery against agreed targets, and supporting strategic engagement with card schemes, technology vendors and Mobile Network Operators where senior-level intervention is required.
6. Coordinate product governance processes, including Product Committee submissions for new products and material changes, ensuring the portfolio remains compliant with regulatory, legal and internal requirements, and that policies, standards and documentation align with the Bank’s product risk framework.
7. Manage strategic relationships with vendors, MNOs, fintechs and other product partners, negotiating commercial arrangements that support the portfolio’s growth and competitiveness.
8. Collaborate with the Manager, Acquiring; Manager, Agency Banking; and Manager, Digital Channels on joint planning, product innovation, go-to-market execution, performance reviews and day-to-day problem-solving to ensure cohesive delivery of the Bank’s product and channel strategy across the department.
9. Work cross-functionally with IT, Operations, Finance, Risk, Compliance, Legal and Marketing to develop, implement and launch products; collaborate with the Manager, Digital Channels, Manager, Merchant Acquiring, and Manager, Agency Banking to align product propositions with channel delivery capabilities; and engage Retail and Business Banking teams to ensure product design meets sales force and customer needs.
10. Lead, develop and manage the Supervisor, Product Development and Specialist, Card Development, fostering a culture of innovation, accountability and continuous improvement, and overseeing recruitment, onboarding, retention and performance development in line with organisational guidelines.
11. Work with Marketing and Retail teams to develop and execute targeted product campaigns and customer communications.
12. Represent the Product Development unit in cross-functional project meetings as delegated by the Head, Product Development and Digital Channels

UNDERTAKE OTHER RELATED ACTIVITIES AS DIRECTED BY THE HEAD, PRODUCT DEVELOPMENT AND DIGITAL CHANNELS

Position Requirements:

Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration, Finance, Commerce, Banking, Economics or related area; an MBA or relevant advanced degree is an added advantage.

Experience:

• A minimum of five (5) years’ experience in product management or product development in financial services, including at least three (3) years at a management level.
• Proven track record managing product portfolios across Deposits, Cards, Lending, Payments, Business Banking.
• Sound knowledge of product lifecycle management, product governance, pricing frameworks and financial modelling.
• Strong Analytical Skills to interpret data, conduct market research, and derive actionable insights.
• Leadership Abilities to lead cross-functional teams and drive product initiatives from concept to launch.
• Proven track record in portfolio performance management including transaction growth, revenue delivery and pricing optimization.
• Regulatory Knowledge of compliance and risk management frameworks applicable to the financial industry.

Competencies

1. Strategic Product Leadership
2. Commercial & Financial Acumen
3. Strategic & Analytical Thinking
4. Product Lifecycle Management
5. Innovation & Market Insight
6. Experience with Data Analytics
7. Cross-functional Collaboration
8. Project Management Skills
9. Stakeholder & Vendor Management