Director, Specialist Sales, SME, Africa

Our Purpose
Mastercard powers economies and empowers people in 200+ countries and territories worldwide. Together with our customers, we're helping build a sustainable economy where everyone can prosper. We support a wide range of digital payments choices, making transactions secure, simple, smart and accessible. Our technology and innovation, partnerships and networks combine to deliver a unique set of products and services that help people, businesses and governments realize their greatest potential.
Title and Summary
Director, Specialist Sales, SME, Africa
About Mastercard
Mastercard is a global technology company in the payments industry. Our mission is to connect and power an inclusive, digital economy that benefits everyone, everywhere by making transactions safe, simple, smart and accessible. Using secure data and networks, partnerships and passion, our innovations and solutions help individuals, financial institutions, governments and businesses realise their greatest potential.
Position Overview
We are seeking a dynamic and experienced Director to lead SME Business Development in North Africa. This senior leader will be responsible for driving our sales strategy in a complex and evolving payments landscape, focusing on delivering innovative payment solutions to fintechs and large issuing banks specifically for their Small and Medium Enterprise (SME) customer base. The successful candidate will play a pivotal role in Mastercard's growth strategy, leveraging deep industry knowledge to create differentiated value propositions that address client pain points and drive adoption of Mastercard solutions within the SME sector.
Key Responsibilities
Strategic Leadership• Develop and execute comprehensive regional sales strategies aligned with Mastercard's North Africa business objectives• Lead a high-performing team of 4+ sales professionals, providing coaching, mentoring and performance management• Collaborate with cross-functional teams to identify market opportunities and drive revenue growth• Establish and maintain strong executive-level relationships with key clients and partners• Represent Mastercard at industry events and speak authoritatively on payment trends and innovations
Client Solutions• Understand the complex needs and pain points of fintechs and large issuing banks across diverse North Africa, specifically as they relate to their SME customer base• Create differentiated value propositions that address client challenges in serving SME customers and deliver measurable business outcomes• Oversee the development of strategic account plans for key clients, ensuring alignment with their SME business priorities• Drive adoption of Mastercard's innovative payment solutions for SME customers across North Africa• Develop and articulate compelling business cases to prospective clients that showcase the value of Mastercard solutions for their SME offerings• Expertise in SFDC management
Market Intelligence• Maintain in-depth knowledge of the African payments landscape, including regulatory developments, competitive threats and emerging technologies affecting the SME sector• Monitor and analyze SME banking and payment trends across North Africa• Identify opportunities for Mastercard to add value within the SME ecosystem through partnerships with accounting software providers (Zoho, etc.)• Monitor competitive activity in the SME payment space and develop effective counter-strategies• Collaborate with product teams to ensure solutions address evolving SME market needs• Provide regular market intelligence updates to senior leadership on SME payment trends and opportunities
Required Qualifications
Experience & Skills• Minimum 6 years of experience in financial services or payments technology• Proven track record of consistently exceeding sales targets and driving business growth in complex B2B environments• Understanding of the African payments landscape, card issuing, and acquiring businesses with a focus on SME solutions• Experience working with or selling to SME-focused financial service providers, including banks, fintechs, and accounting software companies• Strong commercial acumen with the ability to create compelling value propositions for sophisticated clients targeting SME customers• Experience selling to C-level executives at financial institutions, fintechs, and multinational corporations• Demonstrated understanding of the SME market in multiple African countries and their specific financial needs• Exceptional leadership skills with demonstrated ability to motivate and develop high-performing teams• Strong analytical skills with the ability to interpret complex data and generate actionable insights• Experience developing and implementing successful sales strategies in competitive markets
Languages• Fluent in English (written and verbal)• Proficiency in at least one additional language is required
Personal Attributes• Strategic thinker with the ability to anticipate market changes and identify growth opportunities• Results-oriented with a strong focus on exceeding targets and delivering business outcomes• Client-centric approach with exceptional relationship-building capabilities• Collaborative leader who can work effectively across organisational boundaries• Excellent communication and presentation skills, with the ability to articulate complex concepts clearly• Resilient and adaptable in a rapidly changing industry landscape• High level of integrity and professional ethics
Travel Requirements• Willingness to travel up to 40% of the time across Africa
What We Offer• The opportunity to shape the future of payments in Africa with a global technology leader• Competitive salary and comprehensive benefits package• Career advancement opportunities within a dynamic global organisation• Collaborative and innovative work environment• Continuous learning and professional development opportunities
Mastercard is an equal opportunity employer. We value diversity and inclusion and are committed to creating a workplace where all employees can thrive.
Corporate Security Responsibility
All activities involving access to Mastercard assets, information, and networks comes with an inherent risk to the organization and, therefore, it is expected that every person working for, or on behalf of, Mastercard is responsible for information security and must:

• Abide by Mastercard's security policies and practices;
• Ensure the confidentiality and integrity of the information being accessed;
• Report any suspected information security violation or breach, and
• Complete all periodic mandatory security trainings in accordance with Mastercard's guidelines.