What we’re looking for;
In keeping with our current business needs, we are seeking a data driven and commercially savvy product manager to lead the strategy, development and end-to-end lifecycle of the mobile data portfolio for high value customers. (S)he should meet the criteria indicated below:
Reporting to Head of Mobile Internet Tribe, the role purpose shall include:
•Accelerating smartphone adoption, driving data traffic growth through devices
•Developing innovative connectivity propositions and
•Identifying new growth opportunities for the Mobile Internet business.
The role combines product management, commercial management, customer experience, and ecosystem partnership responsibilities.
Health & Safety
• Uphold the company code of conduct, policies and procedures, ensuring integrity and accountability in every aspect of your work.
• All employees have a responsibility to adhere to safety, health, and wellbeing policies, guidelines and procedures in all actions and decisions.
Devices Strategy & Portfolio Management
• Develop and execute the overall devices strategy aligned with business objectives.
• Identify market trends and customer needs to recommend device propositions that drive growth.
• Monitor device performance, sales, profitability, and customer adoption metrics.
• Drive lifecycle management of devices from launch to retirement.
Innovation Management
• Lead the innovation agenda by identifying emerging technologies, industry trends, and new business opportunities.
• Evaluate and pilot innovative solutions, products, and services to enhance customer value.
• Lead the ideation, development, and commercialization of new products and services.
• Establish innovation frameworks and processes to accelerate experimentation and commercialization.
• Collaborate with internal and external stakeholders to develop and test new concepts.
• Build and maintain an innovation pipeline aligned with strategic priorities.
Product Development & Proposition Design
• Develop compelling device propositions and bundled offerings.
• Define business requirements and customer journeys for new products and services.
• Ensure products meet customer expectations and deliver measurable business outcomes.
Commercial Performance
• Own and deliver device, innovation, and partnership-related revenue, profitability, and market share targets.
• Develop business cases, investment proposals, and financial models for new products, services, and innovation initiatives.
• Monitor key commercial KPIs and implement corrective actions to improve performance.
• Track product portfolio performance and recommend actions to maximize return on investment.
Market Intelligence & Insights
• Conduct market analysis, competitive benchmarking, and customer research.
• Identify emerging consumer behaviors and technology trends to identify unmet customers’ need and provide recommendations based on market intelligence and insights.
• Utilize customer insights, analytics, and market research to improve product and service experiences.
Strategic Partnerships & Ecosystem Development
• Develop and execute partnership strategies with device manufacturers, technology providers, digital platforms, fintechs, startups, and ecosystem players.
• Identify, evaluate, and onboard strategic partners that enhance customer value propositions and support business growth objectives.
• Negotiate commercial agreements, joint business plans, and co-marketing initiatives.
• Drive ecosystem-based solutions by integrating devices, connectivity, digital services, and emerging technologies.
• Build and maintain strong stakeholder relationships to accelerate innovation and market leadership.
• Continuously assess partnership performance and identify opportunities for optimization and expansion.
Agile Squad Leadership
• Lead and inspire cross-functional agile squads comprising commercial, technology, digital, marketing, finance, and operations teams.
• Define squad objectives, priorities, and delivery roadmaps aligned with strategic business goals.
• Drive agile ways of working, fostering collaboration, accountability, and continuous improvement.
• Manage sprint planning, backlog prioritization, and delivery tracking to ensure timely execution of initiatives.
• Remove delivery impediments and facilitate effective decision-making within the squad.
• Coach and mentor squad members to build high-performing teams and cultivate an innovation-driven culture.
• Monitor initiative outcomes and ensure delivery of measurable customer and commercial value.
Customer Experience & Journey Optimization
• Lead the design and continuous improvement of end-to-end customer journeys across devices and digital ecosystems.
• Identify customer pain points and implement solutions that enhance adoption, engagement, and satisfaction.
• Ensure seamless integration of devices, connectivity, digital applications, and support services.
• Drive customer-centric innovation initiatives that improve retention, loyalty, and Net Promoter Score (NPS).
• Collaborate with Customer Experience, Digital, and Technology teams to deliver exceptional customer outcomes.
• 5 years of relevant experience in telecommunications, technology, consumer electronics, digital products, innovation management, or product development.
• Proven experience in managing device portfolios, digital products, or customer propositions.
• Demonstrated success in developing and launching commercially viable products and services.
• Familiarity with Agile, Scrum, Design Thinking, and innovation frameworks.
• Strong understanding of mobile devices, IoT, connected technologies, and digital ecosystems.
• Knowledge of emerging technologies such as AI, 5G, fintech, cloud services, and smart devices.
• Experience in strategic partnership management and vendor negotiations.
• Experience leading cross-functional and agile teams to deliver business outcomes.
• Strong track record in driving revenue growth, customer acquisition, and customer retention initiatives.
• Experience using data analytics and market insights to drive decision-making.
• Experience in business case development, financial analysis, and commercial performance management.
How to apply If you feel that you are up to the challenge and possess the necessary qualification and experience, kindly click on the apply button. Remember to attach your resume.
About UsSafaricom is the leading technology company in East Africa. Our purpose is to transform lives by connecting people to people, people to opportunities and people to information. We keep over 60 million customers connected across Kenya and Ethiopia, and play a critical role in the society, supporting over 1.13 million jobs both directly and indirectly while our total economic value was estimated at KES 1.1 trillion ($ 8.5 billion) for the 12 months through March 2025.
Listed on the Nairobi Securities Exchange and with annual revenues of close to KES 388 billion as at March 2025, Safaricom provides connectivity through wide range of technology. Our 2G, 3G, 4G and 5G network in aggregate covers over 99% of Kenya’s population.
We run the world’s largest mobile payment system and Africa’s largest Fintech, M-PESA, the world’s first mobile money transfer system. By empowering millions of customers to transact, save or borrow money through their mobile phone, M-PESA has driven financial inclusion in Kenya to 84.8% of the adult population in 2024, from a low of 26.7% in 2006, and generated over KES 161 billion in revenue as at FY25.
Our subsidiary, Safaricom Telecommunications Ethiopia, has deployed world class network and services to contribute to Ethiopia’s digital transformation.
Safaricom is an equal opportunity employer, actively recruiting staff from different backgrounds reflecting the communities that we serve. We are committed to equal gender representation at all levels.
As part of our ongoing commitment to the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), we continue to work towards improving energy and resource efficiency in our network and facilities to reduce carbon emissions and our fuel consumption. We remain committed to becoming a Net Zero carbon-emitting company by 2050.
Skills Required
- At least 5 years of relevant experience in telecommunications, technology, consumer electronics, digital products, innovation management, or product development.
- Experience managing device portfolios, digital products, or customer propositions.
- Success developing and launching commercially viable products and services.
- Familiarity with Agile, Scrum, Design Thinking, and innovation frameworks.
- Strong understanding of mobile devices, IoT, connected technologies, and digital ecosystems.
- Knowledge of emerging technologies including AI, 5G, fintech, cloud services, and smart devices.
- Experience managing strategic partnerships and negotiating with vendors.
- Experience leading cross-functional and agile teams to deliver business outcomes.
- Track record driving revenue growth, customer acquisition, and customer retention initiatives.
- Experience using data analytics and market insights for decision-making.
- Experience developing business cases, performing financial analysis, and managing commercial performance.
What We Do
Safaricom is the leading provider of converged communication solutions in Kenya. In addition to providing a broad range of first-class products and services for Telephony, Broadband Internet and Financial services, Safaricom seeks to uplift the welfare of Kenyans through value-added services and support for community projects. With over 29 Million subscribers and an estimated market share of 67%, the Company has the widest modern mobile network coverage in Kenya and prides in its experienced shareholders, attractive tariffs, a nationwide network of effective dealers, high caliber staff and management enabling it to maintain its position as the region’s mobile market leader. M-PESA has over 23 million subscribers, supported by a nationwide agent network of over 156,000 outlets. M-PESA is the world's most developed biggest mobile payment system. Facts about Safaricom • Employs over 5,500 staff directly and over 500,000 indirectly • Has approximately 4,945 network sites across the country • 50% of employees and 32% of senior management working at Safaricom are women. • Has the largest call center in Sub-Saharan Africa Our people are our most valuable asset and are key to the achievement of our vision of transforming lives. This is reflected in our commitment to creating a working environment that supports our staff. We offer employees a wellness programme, crèche facilities, access to subsidized gym facilities, leisure amenities, regular social events, competitive salaries and career opportunities. We give back to the society through the Safaricom Foundation. Since inception, the foundation has disbursed 2 billion shillings in different initiatives that provide sustainable community-based solutions, contributing towards Kenya’s development agenda, and the Millennium Development Goals. Safaricom is a key member and supporter of the B Team and the B Team – Africa, alliances of business leaders who are committed to responsible and sustainable business practices.
