Product Manager

瑩瑣; Cape Town; On-site; ZAR 40,000 - 80,000; Full time

Job summary

An innovative online lending business is seeking a Product Manager to lead the development and optimization of consumer-facing digital products. This role involves overseeing the entire product lifecycle, from ideation to launch, while collaborating with cross-functional teams to ensure products meet customer needs and regulatory requirements. The ideal candidate will have a strong background in product management, particularly in digital lending, and possess excellent analytical and communication skills. Join a forward-thinking company that values innovation and customer-centric solutions in the financial sector.

Qualifications

• 3-5 years in product management or similar roles, preferably in digital lending.
• Strong problem-solving and analytical skills with a customer-centric mindset.

Responsibilities

• Oversee the entire application journey and product lifecycle from ideation to launch.
• Track customer progress and optimize the application journey for better completion rates.

Skills

Data Analytics

Product Management

SQL

Agile Methodologies

Analytical Skills

Communication

Problem Solving

Market Research

Strategic Thinking

Time Management

Education

Bachelor's degree in Data Analytics, Business, Finance, or Engineering

Professional certifications in Product Management or Agile/Scrum

Tools

Jira

Trello

PostgreSQL

Python

Job description

Our client is a fast-growing online lending business leveraging technology and data to provide seamless financial solutions. By using data-driven insights, they optimize customer acquisition, conversion, and retention processes. They are now seeking a Product Manager to develop, manage, and optimize their consumer-facing digital products.

Role Overview

The Product Manager will oversee the entire application journey and product lifecycle, from initial ideation to launch, growth, and continuous improvement. This role sits within the Commercial Team and collaborates closely with marketing, technology, credit risk, and operations to ensure that products meet customer needs, adhere to regulatory requirements, and support overall business objectives. The ideal candidate will have a strong background in product management, consumer finance, and digital lending platforms.

Product Strategy & Roadmap

• Define and execute a clear product strategy for the digital short-term lending business, ensuring alignment with the company's overall vision and goals.
• Develop and manage the product roadmap, prioritizing features, improvements, and new products based on market needs, customer feedback, regulatory changes, and business priorities.
• Conduct market research and competitive analysis to identify emerging trends, customer needs, and gaps in the market to inform product development and innovation.

Application Journey Monitoring and Optimization

• Track customer progress through the application journey (drop-off rates, time spent per step, retries).
• Identify customer pain points and drive collaboration across teams to improve customer experience, completion rates, and risk management.
• Develop A/B tests in collaboration with technical, marketing, and credit risk teams to experiment with different UI and integration elements to optimize customer completion rates.
• Work with marketing teams to develop strategies that encourage completion through rewards, reminders, or urgency tactics.

Product Development & Lifecycle Management

• Lead the end-to-end product development process, from ideation and concept through to design, development, and launch.
• Collaborate with design, engineering, data, and marketing teams to define product features, user journeys, and customer experience requirements.
• Ensure product compliance with financial regulations and internal risk policies.
• Manage the product lifecycle, including post-launch optimization, enhancements, and updates.

Customer-Centric Product Design

• Ensure that product features and user interfaces are designed with customer experience in mind, prioritizing ease of use, accessibility, and satisfaction.
• Use customer feedback, user testing, and analytics to identify pain points and areas for improvement.
• Implement A/B testing, user surveys, and other research methodologies to refine the product and enhance customer satisfaction.

Cross-Functional Collaboration

• Work closely with marketing to define go-to-market strategies and develop effective product positioning and messaging.
• Collaborate with credit risk teams to ensure products align with responsible lending practices and compliance requirements.
• Partner with collections teams to optimize repayment structures and collection strategies.
• Engage with customer support teams to resolve issues and gather insights for product improvements.

Product Metrics & Performance Tracking

• Track key product KPIs to evaluate performance.
• Analyze product data and performance metrics to make data-driven decisions, optimize features, and prioritize improvements.
• Provide regular updates and reports to senior management on product performance, customer feedback, and roadmap progress.

Regulatory Compliance & Risk Management

• Ensure product compliance with all relevant financial regulations.
• Integrate regulatory reporting, disclosures, and consumer protection measures into the product offering.
• Align product development with internal credit risk management systems to assess and mitigate loan defaults and fraud.

Continuous Improvement

• Stay up-to-date with trends in digital lending and consumer finance, leveraging new technologies and market insights to keep the product competitive.
• Foster a culture of innovation and continuous improvement to enhance the product offering and customer experience.
• Explore new revenue models, product features, and market segments to drive growth.

Requirements

Key Skills & Experience

• Bachelor's degree in Data Analytics, Business, Finance, or Engineering (essential).
• Professional certifications in Product Management or Agile/Scrum are preferred.
• Advanced skills in SQL or PostgreSQL SQL (essential).
• 3-5 years in product management or similar roles, preferably within digital lending or consumer finance.
• Experience working with cross-functional teams to bring products to market in financial services.
• Strong problem-solving and analytical skills with the ability to interpret data and make informed decisions.
• Customer-centric mindset with a deep understanding of the digital finance customer journey.
• Excellent communication skills to articulate product concepts, features, and roadmaps clearly to technical and non-technical stakeholders.
• Strong project management skills, managing timelines, priorities, and stakeholder expectations.
• Experience with product management tools (Jira, Trello) and data analysis tools (PostgreSQL, Python).
• Deep understanding of lending products in the South African market.
• Experience in a fast-paced, evolving environment emphasizing innovation and customer-centricity.
• Strong understanding of consumer behavior in digital finance, including factors influencing loan uptake, repayment, and defaults.
• Adaptability and willingness to learn and adjust strategies in a rapidly evolving market.

Required Experience:

Key Skills

Time Management, Data Analytics, Analytical Skills, Agile Methodologies, Requirement Gathering, Strategic Thinking, Visio, Communication, Problem Solving, Market Research, UML, Cross-Functional Teams

Employment Type: Full-Time

Experience: 3-5 years

Vacancy: 1