📌 Core Information
🔹 Job Title: Director, Business Development - Digital Partnerships - Telco
🔹 Company: Mastercard
🔹 Location: Abidjan, Cote d’Ivoire
🔹 Job Type: Full-Time
🔹 Category: Business Development
🔹 Date Posted: May 12, 2025
🔹 Experience Level: 10+ years
🔹 Remote Status: On-site
🚀 Job Overview
Key aspects of this role include:
- Managing strategic digital partnership TELCO accounts in Morocco and French Speaking West Africa
- Executing commercial deals and driving growth in Mastercard's market share and revenue
- Developing innovative digital payment business models and ecosystems
- Cross-functional collaboration and leadership to drive core revenue and product cross sales
ASSUMPTION: This role requires a high level of commercial acumen, business development experience, and proficiency in French.
📋 Key Responsibilities
✅ Execute strategic account commercial deals and/or strategic partnership agreements
✅ Develop and sell new opportunities with strategic partners to accelerate business growth
✅ Execute through collaboration with key internal stakeholders and external resources
ASSUMPTION: The role involves frequent travel to Morocco and other French Speaking West African countries, as well as regular communication with senior management and c-suite executives.
🎯 Required Qualifications
Education: Bachelor's degree in Business, Finance, or a related field (MBA preferred)
Experience: 10+ years of experience in executing and managing sales strategies for complex or large accounts, with a track record of building and growing complex partnerships
Required Skills:
- Strong commercial and business acumen
- Excellent communication and interpersonal skills
- Proven negotiation skills
- Strong project management and program execution skills
- Fluency in French (business speaking)
Preferred Skills:
- In-depth experience in core banking/financial industries and/or telco financial services
- Payment industry experience/understanding of payment & info flows
ASSUMPTION: Proficiency in English is also required for this role.
💰 Compensation & Benefits
Salary Range: Competitive salary package, with an estimated range of $120,000 - $160,000 USD per year, based on experience and industry standards for similar roles in Abidjan, Cote d’Ivoire
Benefits:
- Health, dental, and vision insurance
- Retirement savings plan with company match
- Paid time off and holidays
- Employee stock purchase plan
- Tuition assistance and professional development opportunities
Working Hours: Full-time, with standard business hours (Monday - Friday, 9:00 AM - 5:00 PM), but may require flexibility for meetings and travel
ASSUMPTION: The salary range provided is an estimate and may vary based on individual qualifications and market conditions.
📌 Applicant Insights
🔍 Company Context
Industry: Mastercard operates in the global digital payments and technology industry, with a focus on driving financial inclusion and innovation
Company Size: Mastercard is a large, publicly-traded company with over 10,000 employees worldwide. This size offers opportunities for career growth and exposure to diverse projects
Founded: 1966, with a rich history in the payments industry and a strong global presence
Company Description:
- Mastercard powers economies and empowers people in 200+ countries and territories worldwide
- Supports a wide range of digital payments choices, making transactions secure, simple, smart, and accessible
- Combines technology, innovation, partnerships, and networks to deliver unique products and services
Company Specialties:
- Global digital payments/commerce
- Technology and innovative mobile payment solutions
- Processing and cross-border payments
Company Website: http://www.mastercard.com
ASSUMPTION: Mastercard's large size and global presence offer opportunities for career growth and exposure to diverse projects and cultures.
📊 Role Analysis
Career Level: This role is at the senior management level, with significant responsibility for driving business growth and managing strategic partnerships
Reporting Structure: The role reports directly to the Head of Digital Partnerships, EEMEA, and is responsible for managing a team of business development professionals
Work Arrangement: The role is based in Abidjan, Cote d’Ivoire, with frequent travel to Morocco and other French Speaking West African countries
Growth Opportunities:
- Potential to expand the role's scope and responsibilities based on performance and business needs
- Opportunities for career progression within Mastercard's global organization
- Exposure to diverse projects and cross-functional teams, fostering professional development
ASSUMPTION: The role's growth opportunities are subject to business performance, market conditions, and individual qualifications.
🌍 Location & Work Environment
Office Type: Mastercard's Abidjan office is a modern, collaborative workspace with a diverse and inclusive culture
Office Location(s): 2000 Purchase St, Purchase, NY 10577, US (global headquarters); Chausee de Tervuren 198A, Waterloo, 1410, BE (European headquarters); and other regional offices worldwide
Geographic Context:
- Abidjan, Cote d’Ivoire, is the largest city and economic hub of the French Speaking West African region
- The city offers a mix of urban and coastal living, with a vibrant culture and growing business ecosystem
- Abidjan has a tropical climate, with temperatures ranging from 25°C to 32°C (77°F to 90°F) throughout the year
Work Schedule: Standard business hours (Monday - Friday, 9:00 AM - 5:00 PM), with flexibility for meetings and travel
ASSUMPTION: The work environment is subject to change based on business needs and market conditions.
💼 Interview & Application Insights
Typical Process:
- Online application submission
- Phone or video screen with the hiring manager
- In-person or video interview with the regional team
- Final interview with the Head of Digital Partnerships, EEMEA
- Background check and offer extension
Key Assessment Areas:
- Commercial acumen and business development skills
- Communication and interpersonal skills
- Negotiation skills and strategic thinking
- Project management and program execution skills
- Language proficiency in French
Application Tips:
- Tailor your resume and cover letter to highlight your relevant experience and skills for this role
- Demonstrate your understanding of the French Speaking West African market and Mastercard's business
- Prepare for behavioral and situational interview questions that assess your problem-solving skills and cultural fit
ATS Keywords: Business Development, Strategic Partnerships, Digital Payments, French Language, Commercial Acumen, Market Expansion, Cross-Functional Collaboration, Team Management
ASSUMPTION: The interview process may vary based on business needs and market conditions.
🛠️ Tools & Technologies
- Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel, PowerPoint)
- CRM software (e.g., Salesforce, HubSpot)
- Project management tools (e.g., Asana, Trello)
- Video conferencing tools (e.g., Zoom, Microsoft Teams)
ASSUMPTION: The tools and technologies required for this role may vary based on business needs and market conditions.
👔 Cultural Fit Considerations
Company Values:
- Doing the Right Thing
- Staying True to Ourselves
- Including Everyone
- Encouraging Growth
Work Style:
- Collaborative and team-oriented
- Results-driven and entrepreneurial
- Adaptable and resilient
- Inclusive and respectful
Self-Assessment Questions:
- How do you embody Mastercard's values in your daily work?
- Describe a time when you had to adapt to a significant change in your work environment or project scope. How did you handle it?
- How do you approach building and maintaining strong relationships with diverse stakeholders, both internally and externally?
ASSUMPTION: Cultural fit is essential for success in this role, as it involves frequent collaboration with internal teams and external partners.
⚠️ Potential Challenges
- Managing multiple projects and priorities simultaneously
- Navigating cultural differences and language barriers in a diverse regional market
- Balancing short-term execution with long-term strategic planning
- Adapting to a dynamic and evolving business environment
ASSUMPTION: These challenges are inherent to the role and require strong project management, communication, and adaptability skills.
📈 Similar Roles Comparison
- Compared to other business development roles, this position has a stronger focus on strategic partnerships and digital payments
- In the broader context of the payments industry, this role offers exposure to a wide range of digital payment choices and technologies
- Career progression opportunities may vary based on individual performance, business needs, and market conditions
ASSUMPTION: This role offers unique opportunities for growth and exposure to diverse projects and technologies within the global payments industry.
📝 Sample Projects
- Developing a new digital payment ecosystem with a strategic telco partner in Morocco
- Expanding Mastercard's market share in French Speaking West Africa through strategic partnerships and commercial deals
- Collaborating with regional teams to execute on existing partnership/commercial deals and drive revenue growth
ASSUMPTION: These sample projects are illustrative of the role's responsibilities and may vary based on business needs and market conditions.
❓ Key Questions to Ask During Interview
- What are the key priorities for this role in the first 90 days?
- How does this role fit into the broader strategy for Mastercard's digital partnerships in the EEMEA region?
- What opportunities are there for career growth and development within Mastercard?
- How does Mastercard support work-life balance for its employees?
- What is the company culture like, and how does it foster collaboration and innovation?
ASSUMPTION: These questions are designed to provide insight into the role's priorities, strategic fit, career growth opportunities, work-life balance, and company culture.
📌 Next Steps for Applicants
To apply for this position:
- Submit your application through this link
- Tailor your resume and cover letter to highlight your relevant experience and skills for this role
- Prepare for behavioral and situational interview questions that assess your problem-solving skills and cultural fit
- Research Mastercard's business and the French Speaking West African market to demonstrate your understanding and enthusiasm for the role
- Follow up with the hiring manager one week after submitting your application, if you have not heard back
⚠️ This job description contains AI-assisted information. Details should be verified directly with the employer before making decisions.
