Product Owner

Enum; Cape Town; On-site; ZAR 1 200 000 - 1 800 000; Full time

Job summary

A leading financial services provider seeks an experienced Product Owner to lead the strategy and development of Wholesale Banking solutions in Cape Town. Ideal candidates will have extensive experience in Transaction Banking, Trade Finance, and Investment Banking, along with a strong grasp of GCC regulations. The role involves collaboration with business and technology stakeholders to deliver innovative products.

Qualifications

• Minimum 15 years in Wholesale Banking with at least 7 years in a Product Owner role.
• Proven experience in complex banking solutions across various domains.

Responsibilities

• Define and own the product roadmap for Wholesale Banking offerings.
• Collaborate with regulators and senior management to shape product direction.
• Lead cross-functional teams to develop and launch banking products.
• Ensure product compliance with regional regulations and standards.

Skills

Techno-functional expertise

Stakeholder management

Leadership

Communication skills

Understanding of GCC banking regulations

Education

Bachelor's / Master's degree in Business, Finance, Economics

Certifications such as CBAP, CFA, PMP, Agile Product Owner

Job description

THE ROLE

We are seeking an experienced and visionary Product Owner to lead the end-to-end strategy, development, and delivery of Wholesale Banking solutions.

The role requires deep expertise across Transaction Banking, Trade Finance, Investment Banking (including e‑Brokerage), and Asset Management, with a proven track record of driving digital transformation in the GCC financial sector.

The candidate will act as a bridge between business, technology, and compliance stakeholders to ensure seamless execution of innovative and compliant banking solutions.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

Product Strategy & Ownership

• Define and own the product roadmap for Wholesale Banking offerings, covering Transaction Banking, Trade Finance and Investment Banking.
• Align product initiatives with the Bank's strategic objectives, regulatory requirements, and market demands within the GCC.

Stakeholder Management

• Collaborate with senior management, business units, and regulators (e.g., CBO, SAMA, CB UAE) to shape product direction.
• Act as the primary liaison between front‑office, operations, risk, finance, and technology teams.

Delivery & Execution

• Lead cross‑functional squads to design, develop, and launch innovative wholesale banking products.
• Ensure timely delivery of Functional Specifications, BRDs, FSDs, and RTMs.
• Drive UAT, pilot rollouts, and ensure defect‑free product implementations.

Domain Expertise

• Transaction Banking: Cash Management, Payments, Collections, Liquidity Management.
• Trade Finance: Letters of Credit, Guarantees, Supply Chain Finance, Open Account structures.
• Investment Banking: e‑Brokerage platforms, Capital Markets products, Advisory solutions.
• Asset Management: Fund structures, Custody, Portfolio & Wealth solutions.

Innovation & Digital Transformation

• Lead adoption of emerging technologies (e.g., APIs, Open Banking, Tokenization, DLT).
• Identify opportunities for automation, digitization, and customer experience enhancements.

Regulatory & Compliance

• Ensure product compliance with regional regulations, AML/KYC requirements, and international standards.
• Drive operational risk mitigation strategies and ensure audit readiness.

QUALIFICATIONS

Education

• Bachelor's / Master's degree in Business, Finance, Economics, or related field.
• Certifications such as CBAP, CFA, PMP, or Agile Product Owner are an advantage.

Experience

• Minimum 15 years in Wholesale Banking with at least 7 years in a Product Owner / Leadership role in the GCC.
• Proven track record in delivering complex banking solutions in Transaction Banking, Trade Finance, Investment Banking, and Asset Management.

Other Requirements

• Strong techno‑functional expertise with the ability to bridge business and IT.
• Excellent stakeholder management, leadership, and communication skills.
• Deep understanding of GCC banking regulations, regional market practices, and customer needs.