Digital VAS & Next Gen Innovation Lead

What we’re looking for;

In keeping with our current business needs, we are looking for a person who meets the criteria indicated below

Reporting to the Tribe Lead – Digital Lifestyle Services, the role purpose is as highlighted below;

The Digital VAS & Next Gen Innovation Lead is responsible for identifying, developing, commercializing, and scaling new digital businesses and value-added services that drive revenue growth and customer engagement. The role will lead the identification & development of disruptive strategic growth areas including API Monetization, Ad-Tech, Digital Health, Caller identity, messaging add-ons and AI powered communication solutions e.g AI assistants, Video Messaging, VRBT, and other emerging digital services.
The role is accountable for building strategic partnerships, creating sustainable business models, delivering commercial success, and ensuring strong ROI across the digital innovation portfolio.
 

• Drive New Digital Business Growth: Identify, incubate, and scale new digital revenue streams, with primary focus on API Monetization, Ad-Tech, and emerging digital platform opportunities.
• Own Digital VAS Portfolio Strategy: Define and execute the growth strategy for Digital VAS businesses including Digital Health, Video Messaging, Voice AI solutions e.g voice assistants and other next-generation digital offerings.
• Lead Commercialization & Monetization of Digital Innovations: Develop sustainable business models, pricing strategies, and collaborate with segment teams for go-to-market plans that maximize revenue, profitability, ROI and meet the mission targets.
• Establish Strategic Partnerships: Identify, negotiate, and manage relationships with technology providers, content partners, developers, enterprises, startups, agencies, and ecosystem players to drive innovation and commercial success.
• Build and Scale API Ecosystems: Develop and execute API monetization strategies leveraging the network capabilities and digital platform assets. 
• Develop and Grow Ad-Tech Business: Create and scale data-driven advertising solutions leveraging telecom capabilities, partnerships, and customer insights to scale Ad-tech business. Drive partnerships with brands, SMEs, agencies, technology providers, and media platforms to grow mobile advertising revenues.
• Drive Innovation and Market Leadership: Continuously assess emerging technologies, monitor industry trends, customer trends, and market opportunities to build a pipeline of future digital businesses.
• Own Business Growth, Performance & ROI: Accountable for revenue growth, profitability, customer adoption, and overall commercial performance across the Digital VAS and innovation portfolio. Deliver revenue, profitability, and customer growth targets.
• Lead Cross-Functional Delivery: Collaborate with cross functional teams: Commercial, Technology, AI & Data Science, Finance, Regulatory, Legal, and CX teams to successfully launch and scale new services.
• Govern Product & Partner Lifecycle Management: Oversee the end-to-end lifecycle of products/services and strategic partnerships, from business case development through performance management and renewal decisions.
   

• Bachelor's degree in Business, Telecommunications, Technology, Computer Science, Engineering, Marketing, Economics, or a related field.
• Master's degree (MBA or relevant postgraduate qualification) will be an added advantage.
• Minimum 5–7 years' experience in telecommunications, technology, digital services, fintech, content, media, or related industries.
• At least 4–5 years in a leadership or senior management role driving digital products, innovation, partnerships, or new business development.
• Demonstrated experience in: 
o Digital business development and commercialization
o API ecosystem development and monetization
o Ad-Tech, MarTech, or digital advertising businesses
o Strategic partnership management and negotiations
o Innovation and emerging technology initiatives
 

Safaricom 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.