Job Title: Growth and Innovation Officer
Location: Nairobi
Department: Business Development / Sales
Reports to:Chief Executive Officer (CEO)
Company Overview:
Sokohela is a digital credit provider licensed & regulated by the Central Bank of Kenya. We are dedicated to pushing the boundaries of innovation and delivering exceptional financial solutions and products to the Kenyan market. As we continue to expand our team, we are seeking an experienced Growth and Innovation Officer.
Job Overview:
We are seeking a dynamic and strategic Growth and Innovation Officer to lead our business development and market expansion efforts. This role is designed for a high-performing individual who can drive growth, innovation, and profitability in a lending business. The Growth and Innovation Officer will be responsible for overseeing portfolio quality, market expansion, partnerships, product improvements, and the development of a high-performing team. This role will also ensure the business stays competitive, identifies new market opportunities, and delivers value to both customers and shareholders.
Key Responsibilities:
- Portfolio Management and Profitability
- Deliver a high-quality loan portfolio while maintaining profitability and minimizing Portfolio at Risk (PAR).
- Maximize return on investment for shareholders by ensuring optimal financial performance of the lending business.
- Market and Competitive Analysis
- Conduct periodic competitive analysis and market research to ensure the company remains competitive and up to date with industry trends and opportunities.
- Develop insights into market dynamics, competitor strategies, and customer behavior to inform business strategy.
- Market Expansion & New Business Development
- Identify and open new markets across the country for SMEs, ensuring increased market presence and business growth.
- Develop and implement strategies for expanding the company’s footprint into new geographical regions and sectors.
- Lead Generation and Partner Onboarding
- Generate leads for new business and successfully onboard new partners to drive business expansion.
- Build and nurture relationships with key stakeholders, ensuring long-term partnerships and repeat business.
- Retain and manage existing partners, ensuring they are aligned with the company’s growth objectives.
- Team Leadership and Development
- Recruit, train, and manage a high-performing team of Business Development Associates (BDAs).
- Set clear sales targets and margin goals for BDAs, ensuring they are aligned with overall business growth strategies.
- Provide coaching, support, and performance evaluations to ensure continuous professional development and achievement of targets.
- Marketing Strategy & Execution
- Provide expertise and support in developing and executing the company’s SME marketing strategy.
- Collaborate with the marketing team to design campaigns that resonate with target audiences and generate leads.
- Product Development & Enhancement
- Conduct customer surveys and research to gather feedback, ensuring product offerings meet market needs and customer expectations.
- Analyse market trends and customer preferences to recommend new products or enhancements to existing products.
- Work with product teams to suggest adjustments to value propositions, ensuring continuous product improvement.
- Partnerships and Networking
- Represent the company at industry events, conferences, and forums to build brand presence and engage with potential partners.
- Showcase the company’s value propositions to potential partners, traders, and stakeholders, exploring mutually beneficial opportunities for collaboration and partnerships.
Skills and Qualifications:
- Education: Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration, Marketing, Finance, or a related field.
- Experience:
- Minimum of 4 years of experience in business development, marketing, or innovation within a financial services or lending business.
- Proven track record in market expansion, portfolio management, and generating leads.
- Experience in managing cross-functional teams, including sales and marketing professionals.
- Strong understanding of SME lending, portfolio performance metrics, and profitability drivers.
- Key Competencies:
- Exceptional strategic thinking, problem-solving, and decision-making skills.
- Strong leadership, communication, and interpersonal skills.
- Ability to build and maintain relationships with internal and external stakeholders.
- Strong business acumen, with an understanding of financial modeling, ROI analysis, and market trend analysis.
- Proficient in digital marketing tools, CRM software, and data analytics platforms.
- Ability to adapt quickly to new market trends and technologies.
Personal Attributes:
- Innovative thinker with a passion for business growth and customer-centric solutions.
- Results-oriented with a focus on achieving and exceeding targets.
- Motivated, proactive, and able to work independently as well as part of a team.
- High level of integrity and professionalism in all business dealings.
How to apply:
If you are a talented Growth and Innovation officer looking for an exciting new opportunity, we want to hear from you! Please submit your resume along with a cover letter to [email protected] highlighting your relevant experience and why you would be a great fit for our team.
