Product Manager - Economics

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.

Essential Functions

• Analyse all information related to product and economic trends in relation to expected performance and prepare appropriate reporting (bespoke and standard) with recommendations based on user requirements.
• Analyse and report on all product utilisation and provide recommendations for product improvements.
• Apply leading and lagging measures to form a view of portfolio performance and identify potential gaps. Determine analysis and reporting requirements for the allocated product portfolio.
• Conduct analysis to identify potential risks for allocated portfolio and advise line management accordingly.  Confirm that appropriate business rules and processes are in place to handle specific events on the portfolio (e.g. large payments / withdrawals to or from accounts, which may require specific rules or actions).
• Decide which data sources are most suitable when conducting analysis and on the depth of information required to provide, when preparing relevant MIS and economics reporting.
• Determine analysis and reporting requirements for the allocated product portfolio. Source appropriate data and MIS for the allocated product portfolio and transform it into usable format (where required). This includes portfolio information from multiple data sources.
• Extract portfolio information from external sources (e.g. Credit Bureau, Deeds office, XDS for client statement information etc.) and overlay this with internal portfolio information to identify further cross-selling opportunities.
• Identify opportunities for cross-selling / acquiring and pass leads onto Client Management teams and Customer Insights and Analytics (e.g. opportunities for non-franchise customers to use additional products) based on current product economic indicators at client level.
• Identify opportunities to automate the standard reports and liaises with relevant stakeholders to drive automation.
• Identify opportunities to improve the profitability of the existing customer base without negatively impacting customers (e.g. amending interest rate calculations or repayments to improve cash flow).
• Implement and maintain the performance dashboard for allocated portfolio by obtaining inputs from PBB Finance and Customer Insights and Analytics.
• Monitor pricing trends in order to provide input into the development of minimum and recommended pricing.
• Prepare and present reports with recommendations on prototype findings at relevant committees.  Explain in-depth analysis results etc. (e.g. Risk and Compliance Committees, NABPPS etc.) with guidance from line manager.
• Prepare monthly and quarterly portfolio reporting packs as per user requirements, and as input into further detailed analysis by the broader team (e.g. for financial modelling).
• Provide input into identifying the most appropriate value stream components, features and processes that need to be digitised informed by e.g. Products offering, Digital Banking and eCommerce strategy, product value proposition, pricing strategy, distribution strategy etc.).
• Provide input into the continual modernisation of platforms in line with what matters to customers and according to all revenue points that we need optimised. Provide daily maintenance to existing models, when models malfunction, conduct root cause analysis and recommend remediation. There are multiple models each with different inputs and parameters.
• Provide input on request into the product target setting (budgeting), at all iterations (i.e. RE's, Shape, budget, etc.).
• Provide input into campaign briefs and ensure input integrate behavioural economics and marketing best practices to determine best approach to target customers.
• Track overall product performance and provide guidance on tactical implementation of initiatives to the Client Management teams to improve product performance. Track actual revenue and costs for specific initiatives (e.g. clean up of service fee recoveries).

Additional Responsibilities

• Adhere to risk framework, appetite, risk control procedures, governance and risk toolbox.
• Provide input into internal and external audits to eliminate unsatisfactory findings.

Education

• First Degree in Finance and Accounting or Mathematical Sciences

Work Experience

• 7-13 years' Experience in analysing economic trends and preparing relevant reporting for a product portfolio. Experience in sourcing data and translating into usable format. 
• Experience in scenario analysis. Exposure to actuarial, mathematical, financial and statistical modelling or advanced analytics. Practical experience within banking is advantageous.  Exposure in implementing analytical projects.

Behavioural Competencies 

• Articulating Information
• Checking Things
• Embracing Change
• Empowering Individuals
• Examining Information
• Exploring Possibilities
• Generating Ideas
• Interpreting Data
• Managing Tasks
• Providing Insights
• Seizing Opportunities
• Thinking Positively

Technical Competencies 

• Business Acumen (Audit)
• Product and Services Knowledge
• Financial Acumen
• Competency Description
• Business Process Design
• Change Control and Management (IT)
• Change Management (HR)
• Project Management (Project Mgmt)