Reporting directly to the CEMEA Head of Innovation and SSA Head of Products, this individual is a key member of the regional Innovation team serving 92 countries. A key ‘face of the Studio’ for C-suite clients, partners and internal stakeholders, the individual also helps define and execute the operations of the Studio. This individual also reports to the SSA Head of Products and is a key partner in local solution development.Qualifications Approximately 13-20 years commercial experience with at least 8 years in a strategy/innovation consulting or advisory rolesProven capabilities in leading design thinking/co-creation engagements with virtual teams that include Managers and Executives at senior levels – communication, presence, thought leadership and gravitasProven experience in managing large & diverse teams; ideally experience managing creative teams of designers and developersSubstantial client facing experience with the ability to translate client and partner needs into meaningful problem statements, engagements and tangible collaboration/prototyping outcomesExperience running customer experience centers focused on helping clients solve real business issuesOutstanding facilitation skills, ideally with formal training and sprint management experienceStrong project/program management skills to successfully manage multiple, concurrent work streamsWorld-class client-facing skills and proven ability to engage with C-level executives and drive commercial outcomesDegree qualified in business and/or design. Post graduate qualifications highly desirableExperience evaluating a technology landscape, preferably within payments and ecommercePassion for technology, futurist view and intellectual curiosityMarketing, communications and events experience is a plusINNOVATION PIPELINE & REVENUE MANAGEMENTDeliver against value-in-kind revenue targets, established in partnership with the Sub Saharan Africa leadership and CEMEA Innovation LeaderRun the studio pipeline, engagement intake, and value-in-kind contract management: Serve as the key point of contact for the business to request Innovation & Design team projects and all Innovation Studio eventsEstablish a clear point of contact and intake process for anyone requesting Innovation & Design servicesWork closely with the regional Innovation & Design lead to establish a pipeline strategy & operating modelEducate internal stakeholders on the Studio offerings and intake processEnsure that 100% of engagements are taken in through a programmatic processEstablish a pipeline review cadence and transparent process for intake and team allocation on projectsHelp the team achieve VIK (value-in-kind) targets by working with requestors to estimate, assign, and draw down VIK through the contracting and billing process TEAM AND INNOVATION STUDIO MANAGEMENT As a people leader, demonstrate excellent people management skills and aptitudePotentially manage direct reports and indirect reports working on project teams Groom junior talent on the team Establish an inclusive and collaborative culture Make the innovation & design team an employer of choice through a supportive and nurturing leadership styleCollaborate with CEMEA Innovation Leader to standardize and evolve the Studio’s offeringEstablish clear reporting and transparency of Innovation Studio and team activitiesCLIENT LEADERSHIPBe the face of Visa for clients and partners looking to co-innovate with VisaSupport Sub Saharan Africa solutions and BD teams as an innovation subject matter expert.Develop robust, proactive pipeline of tangible collaboration/prototyping projects with clients/partners that will drive c-level sponsorship and engagementBuild trusted advisor relationships with key clients and partners in the industry ENGAGEMENT LEADERSHIPStructure, support and lead client Discovery and Ideation Sessions:Discussing major industry and technology trends and payment innovationsUnderstanding client’s needs, pain points and priorities and be able to link trends and innovations directly to client strategyIdentifying payment innovation opportunities Driving positive outcomes and concrete next stepsCo-creations:Lead a team that defines and delivers on Visa Sub Saharan Africa’s co-creation agenda and engagementsDeliver against co-creation engagements committed in key SSA client contractsUse best in class design thinking and agile methods to Discover, Design, Develop and Deploy new innovationsDemonstrate and be held accountable for actual client impact, client satisfaction, and implementation results post co-creations. Internal Solution DevelopmentPartner the local solutions team to develop local solutions for the Sub Saharan African market PLANNING, REPORTING, FINANCIAL MANAGEMENTPartner with Marketing & Comms teams to showcase the Visa Sub Saharan Africa Innovation story and activities of the Studio and teamBuild a programmatic marketing / comms planLead high-quality campaigns to showcase the Studio and team’s workSupport the P&L management, financial planning for regional Innovation & Design in partnership with the Head of Innovation CEMEAPlay a key role in building annual operating plan, multi year plan, and budget asks for the function Work with CEMEA Head of Innovation and Finance Business Partner to ensure that revenues and spending is well forecasted and in-line with run rateHelp build business models and cases for growth and investment, based on VIK and ROI metrics delivered and forecastedFINTECH & PARTNER ENGAGEMENT Engage closely with the Sub Saharan Africa FinTech and strategic partner ecosystem THOUGHT LEADERSHIP AND EVANGELISMProactively build and curate content on emerging innovation themes to present to in the studio and various other client forumsBuild client engagement content (e.g. use case of a new technology in payment), based on desk research and interviews with Visa’s experts, and engagement material across various media formats (e.g., presentation, talking points, demos, videos)Actively evangelize Visa’s innovation vision and priorities within the organization and at key community and industry eventsEducate Visa teams on latest innovations and Visa solutions through memos, frequent brown bags and other ways to engage staffBuild a vision for how to showcase innovative experiences in the Nairobi Studio. Lead innovation immersions with clients in the studio, to showcase the latest (and upcoming) applications of technology in payments. They will also play a key part in refreshing and articulating the Studio’s tour narrative.
