Manager, Card Solutions

Standard Bank Group is a leading Africa-focused financial services group, and an innovative player on the global stage, that offers a variety of career-enhancing opportunities – plus the chance to work alongside some of the sector’s most talented, motivated professionals. Our clients range from individuals, to businesses of all sizes, high net worth families and large multinational corporates and institutions. We’re passionate about creating growth in Africa. Bringing true, meaningful value to our clients and the communities we serve and creating a real sense of purpose for you.

JOB PURPOSE

To drive the end-to-end strategy, development, commercialization, and lifecycle management of the Bank’s card products and solutions (Debit, Credit, Prepaid, Virtual). The role is responsible for market expansion, revenue growth, product innovation, client engagement, portfolio optimization, and cross-functional collaboration.

The Manager, Card Solutions serves as the strategic lead for co-branded partnerships, BIN sponsorships, new market penetration, and digital card innovation, ensuring card products remain competitive, customer-centric, compliant, and technologically advanced.

Essential Functions

Market Expansion

• Identify and penetrate high-potential niche segments to grow card adoption and drive portfolio diversification.
• Conduct market research, competitor mapping, and industry analysis to support expansion strategy.

Sales Growth & Lead Generation

• Drive structured lead generation for bulk card issuance across retail, SME, and corporate segments.
• Support zonal/regional teams in closing card sales opportunities and meeting revenue targets.

Client Engagement & Partnership Development

• Lead client engagements for co-branded card issuance, BIN sponsorship opportunities, and merchant programs.
• Provide personalized follow-ups and nurture client relationships to maximize sales and partnership value.

Product Development & Innovation

• Define product roadmaps and enhancements across physical, virtual, tokenized, and digital wallet-enabled cards.
• Lead design, documentation (BRDs, user journeys), UAT, launch readiness, and post-implementation reviews.
• Introduce innovative features such as instant card issuance, virtual cards, tokenization, and digital-first solutions.

Portfolio & Performance Management

• Monitor and analyze key performance indicators: active cards, transaction volumes, revenue, spend trends, and attrition.
• Recommend product improvements, pricing changes, and campaigns to optimize portfolio performance.

Compliance, Risk & Scheme Governance

• Ensure adherence to Visa/Mastercard mandates, CBN regulations, and PCI DSS requirements.
• Coordinate fraud monitoring insights, operational risk controls, and policy updates.
• Work with Legal, Risk, and Compliance to mitigate portfolio risks.

Vendor, Processor & Scheme Management

• Manage relationships with processors, card manufacturers, card schemes, personalization bureaus, and fintech partners.
• Ensure performance against SLA/OLA, negotiate commercial terms, and oversee technical integrations.

Training & Internal Capability Building

• Deliver product training across regions/zones for RMs, branches, digital support teams, and customer-facing staff.
• Conduct product training for corporate clients using specialized card solutions.

Cross-Segment Collaboration

• Drive collaboration across CIB, BCB, Personal & Private Clients, Digital Banking, Operations, Fraud, IT, and Marketing.
• Embed card solutions within broader customer value propositions.

QUALIFICATIONS

Education

• First degree in Business, Finance, Economics, Technology, or related field — Required
• Professional certifications in payments, product management, digital banking — PreferredWork Experience

• 8–12+ years in card products, payments, fintech, or digital banking
• Experience with card schemes, processors, BIN sponsorship, and co-branded programs
• Experience in product development, commercial analysis, and client engagement
• Strong understanding of card platforms, CMS, payment integrations, and regulatory expectations

Behavioural Competencies:

• Articulating Information
• Directing People
• Documenting Facts
• Examining Information
• Following Procedures
• Interpreting Data
• Making Decisions
• Managing Tasks
• Meeting Timescales
• Providing Insights
• Taking Action
• Team Working

Technical Competencies:

• Agile Planning
• Agile Principles
• Data Compliance
• Information Security Management
• Project Management (Project Mgmt)