REPORTING TO: Head, Ecosystems and Partnerships 

LOCATION: Kampala

JOB PURPOSE: Reporting to the Head, Ecosystems and Partnerships, the role holder will be accountable for scouting, developing and managing relationships with partners who accelerate dfcu’ s ambition to step into new lines of business and bring additional strength to our existing core business, multiplying the value of our solutions.

In this role you would be responsible for cross-functional coordination, creative problem solving, developing partnerships and value-creating partnerships structures and leading engagement, strategy and negotiations with dfcu strategic partners. The role holder will have a keen understanding of complex commercial contracts, intellectual property and commercialization of new ventures.

KEY ACCOUNTABILITIES:

• Lead partnerships target sourcing, prioritization, and execution of strategic alliances and partnerships, in line with dfcu’s ambition.
• Leverage industry knowledge to craft impactful partnership strategies, and execute partnerships and initiatives that support the realization of dfcu’s inorganic growth ambitions .
• Develop supporting business cases underpinning each partnerships opportunity; overall competitive context and market forecasts, comprehensive financial modelling and analysis, including financial forecasts for the partnership, synergies evaluation and shared value to be generated.
• Collaborate closely with internal stakeholders (product management and development, marketing, business technology, legal) to ensure seamless integration and execution of strategic partnership deals and related initiatives.
• Own the commercialization of strategic partnerships in collaboration with the relevant product and business teams.
• Ensure best-in-class, methodical partner and deal management rooted in milestone definition, thoughtful negotiation approach, and realization of the mutual business objectives and interests.
• Cultivate and maintain strong, collaborative relationships with key stakeholders, as the primary point of contact for strategic partners, ensuring effective communication and engagement.
• Interact with specialist risk areas (operational risk, financial crime risk management, information security and risk, market risk et al) to ensure that business risk management requirements are addressed across all stages of engagement and partnerships execution.
• Exhibit an operationally focused mindset, with an ability to lead teams through complex relationship management activities by setting a clear vision and running tight processes.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND EXPERIENCE REQUIRED:

• Bachelor’s degree in business, finance, or a related field.
• Master’s degree in business, finance, or a related field would be an added advantage.
• 8-10 years’ experience influencing and managing partners, and structuring and negotiating agreements.
• Proven experience in driving strategic commercial partnerships in financial services and adjacent industries, DFIs and FinTechs.
• Ability to navigate ambiguity by applying structure and principles and distilling to the essence for concise presentations and decisions.
• Strong analytical skills, ability to work both independently and collaboratively.
• Knowledge and comfort with negotiation and commercializing commercial partnerships contracts and the ability to creatively solve for complex situations.
• Knowledge of licensing and intellectual property a plus.
• Ambitious, resourceful, meticulous, curious, adaptable, and analytical in a dynamic and uncertain environment.
• Commercial oriented—always looking for the next mega opportunity.
• Customer focused, resourceful, and comfortable with making critical decisions in a fast paced and ambiguous environment.
• Logical and structural thought leader.
• Skilled at developing relationships, alliances, and partnerships with key players internally and externally.
• Effective at solving different problems by defining them abstractly and using sound theory
• Facilitative or catalytic of change by questioning assumptions, challenging views, and arguing perspectives.
• Quick and responsible at making decisions under pressure and definite about views and opinions.
• A great listener and collaborator who’s always humble enough to keep learning from internal teams and external subject matter experts.