Mukuru

Mukuru is searching for a Product Portfolio Lead: Customer Operations to hop on board our incredible team!

This role is crucial in driving the tactical planning, execution, and optimisation of the IT product portfolio. Reporting to the Head of Product Domain: Customer, you will contribute to the success of our fast-paced FinTech organisation by overseeing the development and management of innovative technology solutions.

The Product Portfolio Lead reports directly to the Head of Product Domain: Customer. This position is responsible for managing a portfolio of products, the delivery teams, and ensuring good collaboration and work standards and practices are in place. They will manage the PO's, BA’s and Release Managers from a career perspective. This role also delivers as a PO within a specific business domain. The Product Owners, BAs and Release Managers report directly to this position.

Internal Liaison takes place with internal department heads and users, other product delivery teams, and the direct team within the designated product domain. External liaison takes place with 3rd parties as required.

Duties and Responsibilities (Includes but are not limited to):

Portfolio Planning and Strategy

  • Develop and implement a comprehensive portfolio management tactical plan aligned with the departmental goals.
  • Define key performance indicators (KPIs) to measure the effectiveness and success of the product portfolio
  • Regularly assess market trends and technology landscapes to inform product portfolio tactical plans
  • Regularly assess and prioritise initiatives based on business value and tactical planning importance. Foster collaboration with cross-functional teams and ensure alignment of product development with business objectives
  • Provide tactical planning insights and recommendations to the Head of Product Domain for optimising the portfolio

Product Roadmap and Planning

  • Collaborate with product owners, engineering teams, and stakeholders to create and maintain a dynamic product roadmap.
  • Ensure the alignment of product development with customer needs
  • Lead the planning and prioritisation of product releases and updates
  • Provide regular updates on the product roadmap to leadership and stakeholders
  • Implement agile methodologies to enhance product development efficiency
  • Work closely with the Scrum Master around team capacity, understanding the team velocity and how this may impact commitment
  • Liaise with various industry partners around service integration and product offerings

Performance Measurement and Reporting

  • Implement advanced performance measurement mechanisms for projects and programs
  • Generate comprehensive reports on the status of initiatives and portfolio health
  • Establish and communicate key performance metrics to relevant stakeholders at both senior and team levels
  • Regularly assess and report on the performance of products against defined metrics
  • Identify trends and patterns in project performance data, proactively addressing challenges
  • Collaborate closely with the Head of Product Domain to continuously enhance portfolio management processes
  • Identify areas for improvement and implement strategies for enhancement
  • Collaborate with analytics teams to gather insights and measure product impact and inform product improvements

Resource and Financial Management

  • Lead the efficient capacity planning and allocation of resources across projects/teams to optimise productivity.
  • Collaborate closely with scrum masters and product owners to identify and address resource constraints.
  • Ensure the appropriate skill sets are assigned to projects based on requirements
  • Monitor and report on resource utilisation and availability, making tactical planning adjustments
  • Contribute to the development and management of the portfolio budget
  • Provide insightful financial forecasts and regular budget updates to leadership
  • Oversee and manager project expenditures, ensuring alignment with budgetary constraints
  • Identify cost-saving opportunities and drive efficiency improvements within the portfolio
  • Identify and recommend cost-saving opportunities within the product portfolio

Translate business needs into product solutions for functional and non-functional requirements

  • Lead the analysis of business needs and accurately document features
  • Conduct requirements workshops and liaise with POs and BAs to create requirements
  • Ensure ease and consistency of use for the customer’s journey
  • Ensure solutions are simple, maintainable systems that are fit for purpose (pulled by a real business need) yet flexible enough to cater for innovation within the Mukuru domain/ambitions
  • Ensure systems meet performance and scalability needs of the business

Perform a general management function of the department

  • Conduct performance reviews and monthly KPI discussions with team members
  • Coach and mentor, the team
  • Manage HC related administration for the team
  • Attend and actively participate in required meetings
  • Collate and submit all required reports

Manage own professional and self-development

  • Attend all required weekly meetings
  • Maintain current knowledge of products
  • Attend monthly performance and bi-annual meetings with CIO

Key Requirements:

  • Grade 12 or equivalent (Essential)
  • Related tertiary degree (Essential) IT, Business Management or related field
  • Recognized product owner/business analysis/information systems certification (Desirable)
  • 6 to 8 years’ Proven experience in managing complex product portfolios in a fast-paced environment
  • 6 to 8 years’ Experience in FinTech/Financial industry with in-depth understanding of trends and technologies/systems
  • Ability to develop and articulate a clear and compelling tactical plan for the IT product portfolio aligned with the overall business objectives
  • Ability to lead and inspire cross-functional teams, fostering a collaborative environment
  • Demonstrate deep understanding of product management principles and methodologies, including agile practices
  • Possess financial management skills, including budget development, resource allocation, and expenditure control
  • Market Awareness
  • Use data-driven insights and analytics to make informed decisions and measure product performance
  • Develop and implement effective risk management plans for the IT product portfolio
  • Foster a culture of innovation within the product portfolio, encouraging creative thinking and adaptation to changing market conditions
  • Effectively manage change within the product portfolio, adapting strategies and processes as needed

Key Competencies:

  • Systematic Approach
  • Conceptual and Analytical Ability
  • Directing People
  • Providing insights
  • Problem Solving
  • Autonomy
  • Establishing Rapport
  • Organisational Awareness

I am sure you are reading this job description and meet majority of the criteria BUT you may also still not be 100% comfortable in applying. We believe that there is a place for everyone under the Mukuru sun and we want YOU to contribute to our diverse tapestry of talent. So come on, take a leap of faith, and send your application if you meet majority of our requirements. Remember to include a snippet of how you will bring value and help us build a future of success that will help us determine where and how you may best be suited” Maybe you are just the future Mukurian we need!!


Should you be appointed in a remote/work from home role at Mukuru, it is your responsibility to ensure that you have uninterrupted internet connectivity and a ‘work-like’ environment at your home location, in order to deliver your best in terms of performance, productivity and service to our customers.

If you do not receive any response after two weeks, please consider your application unsuccessful.


NB: ALL STAFF APPOINTMENTS WILL BE MADE WITH DUE CONSIDERATION OF THE COMPANY’S DIVERSITY AND INCLUSION PLANS

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