Decentralized Finance (DeFi) Product Manager

Placements24; Polokwane; Hybrid; ZAR 600,000 - 1,000,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive salary

Comprehensive benefits

Hybrid work model

Professional development

Job summary

Placements24 is recruiting a seasoned DeFi Product Manager to define the product strategy, roadmap, and feature sets for our DeFi offerings. Based in Polokwane, Limpopo, the role combines in-office collaboration with remote flexibility.

You will work at the intersection of finance and technology, translating market insights into detailed requirements, prioritizing the backlog, and guiding cross-functional teams across engineering, design, marketing and legal.

Qualifications

• Proven experience as a Product Manager in FinTech or blockchain/DeFi.
• Deep understanding of DeFi protocols, smart contracts, and tokenomics.
• Familiarity with blockchain technology and its fundamentals.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills.
• Experience in agile development environments.
• Thrives in a fast-paced startup.
• Bachelor's degree in Business, Finance, CS, or related field.
• MBA or equivalent experience is a plus.

Responsibilities

• Define product vision, strategy, and roadmap for DeFi products.
• Conduct market, competitive, and user research to identify opportunities.
• Translate strategy into detailed requirements, user stories, and functional specifications.
• Prioritize backlog and manage product development lifecycle with engineering.
• Collaborate with UX/UI to deliver intuitive DeFi experiences.
• Define KPIs and metrics to measure success.
• Work with marketing to drive go-to-market and user adoption.
• Stay updated on DeFi trends and regulatory developments.
• Communicate updates across the organization.

Skills

Product management

FinTech

Blockchain

Agile

Analytical skills

Communication

Education

Bachelor's degree

MBA

Job description

About the Role

Our client is a leading innovator in the decentralized finance (DeFi) ecosystem, dedicated to building accessible and powerful financial tools for the future. We are seeking an experienced and visionary Decentralized Finance (DeFi) Product Manager to join our team. In this critical role, you will be responsible for defining the product strategy, roadmap, and feature definition for our DeFi products. You will work at the intersection of finance, technology, and user experience, driving the development of cutting-edge decentralized financial applications. This role requires a deep understanding of DeFi protocols, smart contracts, tokenomics, and market dynamics, combined with strong product management skills. You will collaborate closely with engineering, design, marketing, and legal teams to bring innovative products to market. The position is based in Polokwane, Limpopo, ZA , offering a hybrid work arrangement that balances in-office collaboration with remote flexibility.

Key Responsibilities

• Define and articulate the product vision, strategy, and roadmap for DeFi products.
• Conduct market research, competitive analysis, and user research to identify opportunities and unmet needs.
• Translate product strategy into detailed product requirements, user stories, and functional specifications.
• Prioritize the product backlog and manage the product development lifecycle in collaboration with engineering teams.
• Work closely with UX/UI designers to create intuitive and engaging user experiences for DeFi applications.
• Define key performance indicators (KPIs) and metrics to measure product success and inform future development.
• Liaise with marketing and growth teams to develop go-to-market strategies and drive user adoption.
• Stay abreast of the latest trends, innovations, and regulatory developments in the DeFi and broader blockchain space.
• Manage stakeholder expectations and communicate product updates effectively across the organization.

Requirements

• Proven experience as a Product Manager, ideally within the FinTech or blockchain/cryptocurrency industry, with a focus on DeFi.
• Deep understanding of DeFi protocols (e.g., DEXs, lending protocols, stablecoins), smart contracts, and tokenomics.
• Familiarity with blockchain technology and its underlying principles.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills, with the ability to translate complex concepts into actionable product plans.
• Excellent communication, presentation, and interpersonal skills.
• Experience working in agile development environments.
• Ability to thrive in a fast-paced, dynamic startup environment.
• Bachelor's degree in Business, Finance, Computer Science, or a related field.
• MBA or equivalent experience is a plus.

Benefits

Our client offers a competitive salary, comprehensive benefits package, and the opportunity to shape the future of decentralized finance. You will work with a passionate and talented team on groundbreaking products in a rapidly expanding industry. The hybrid work model supports a healthy work-life balance. Professional development opportunities, including attending industry events and training, are provided. Join us in building the next generation of financial services in Polokwane, Limpopo, ZA .