Product Head

Date: 8 May 2025

Location:

Cape Town, Western Cape, ZA

Company: Sanlam Group

Who are we?

Sanlam Fintech is a newly established digital first business within the Sanlam Group on a mission to democratize financial advice and solutions for everyone across the African continent. We exist to pioneer inclusive financial confidence helping people build strong foundations to bridge the gap in generational wealth. Our culture us that of agility and constant deployment, we believe in learning fast, learning cheap and learning forward. Our aim is to provide a work environment where knowledge workers can accelerate the development of their ideas and bring innovation to market, at the same time provide compelling career and development proposition that will enable them to realize their dreams.

Position Overview

The Product Head will be responsible for leading the product strategy, development, and execution of our multi-partner rewards coalition. This role requires a visionary leader with strong commercial acumen, deep product expertise, and a passion for innovation. The Product Head will oversee multiple squads focusing on CVP, banking, credit, investment, insurance, health, and coalition features. The individual will also play a critical role in aligning digital workplace services, fostering collaboration across teams, and ensuring operational efficiency.

What will you do?

Define and execute the product vision, strategy, and roadmap, ensuring alignment with business objectives.
Lead and manage cross-functional squads covering CVP + Features + Coalition (Banking, Credit Investment, Insurance, Health)
Drive the development and launch of an industry-first rewards coalition product, integrating financial services and partner ecosystems.
Work closely with internal teams, external partners, and stakeholders to create a seamless and compelling customer experience.
Build strong stakeholder relationships, fostering collaboration across teams and organisations to achieve high-impact outcomes.
Ensure alignment with the organisation's strategic objectives, driving financial efficiency and maximising value-for-money services.
Provide operations management and oversee service availability of various technologies enabling the digital workplace.
Drive compliance with all audit, risk, and regulatory requirements while fostering a culture of innovation.
Ensure efficient management of team financials, optimising costs while delivering a superior employee and customer experience.
Build and lead a high-performing product team, fostering a culture of agility, collaboration, and customer-centricity.

Qualification and Experience

Bachelor's Degree or Diploma
10+ years in product management, with at least 5 years in a senior leadership role within fintech, banking or loyalty/rewards.
Proven track record of successfully launching and scaling digital financial products.
Experience in building and managing cross-functional squads in an agile environment.
Strong commercial mindset with the ability to balance customer needs, business goals, and technology constraints.
Deep understanding of financial services, rewards ecosystems, and digital platforms.
Strong stakeholder management skills, with experience working across corporate structures and fast-moving fintech environments.
Data-driven decision-making approach, with the ability to interpret insights and drive strategic actions.
10+ years in product management, with at least 5 years in a senior leadership role within fintech, banking or loyalty/rewards.
Proven track record of successfully launching and scaling digital financial products.
Experience in building and managing cross-functional squads in an agile environment.
Strong commercial mindset with the ability to balance customer needs, business goals, and technology constraints.
Deep understanding of financial services, rewards ecosystems, and digital platforms.
Strong stakeholder management skills, with experience working across corporate structures and fast-moving fintech environments.
Data-driven decision-making approach, with the ability to interpret insights and drive strategic actions.

Knowledge and Skills

Business strategy development and implementation. Manage P&L

Develop and maintain strategic partnerships

Budgeting and expense management

Risk and compliance management

Management of employees

Personal Attributes

Drives vision and purpose - Contributing strategically

Business insight - Contributing strategically

Manages complexity - Contributing strategically

Balances stakeholders - Contributing strategically

Build a successful career with us

We’re all about building strong, lasting relationships with our employees. We know that you have hopes for your future – your career, your personal development and of achieving great things. We pride ourselves in helping our employees to realise their worth. Through its five business clusters – Sanlam Fintech, Sanlam Life and Savings, Sanlam Investment Group, Sanlam Allianz, Santam, as well as MiWay and the Group Office – the group provides many opportunities for growth and development.

Core Competencies

Cultivates innovation - Contributing strategically

Customer focus - Contributing strategically

Drives results - Contributing strategically

Collaborates - Contributing strategically

Being resilient - Contributing strategically

Turnaround time

The shortlisting process will only start once the application due date has been reached. The time taken to complete this process will depend on how far you progress and the availability of managers.

Our commitment to transformation

The Sanlam Group is committed to achieving transformation and embraces diversity. This commitment is what drives us to achieve a diverse, inclusive and equitable workplace as we believe that these are key components to ensuring a thriving and sustainable business in South Africa. The Group's Employment Equity plan and targets will be considered as part of the selection process.