Head of FSP Partnerships, Fintech

📌 Core Information

🔹 Job Title: Head of FSP Partnerships, Fintech

🔹 Company: Optasia

🔹 Location: Porto-Novo, Benin

🔹 Job Type: On-site

🔹 Category: Financial Services

🔹 Date Posted: May 23, 2025

🔹 Experience Level: 10+ years

🔹 Remote Status: On-site

🚀 Job Overview

Key aspects of this role include:

• Leading financial services strategy and identifying partnership opportunities
• Defining performance standards and targets through financial modeling
• Supporting business teams and assessing risk strategy
• Negotiating commercial deals and structuring partnerships
• Building and maintaining strong relationships with financial partners
• Optimizing portfolio returns and managing liquidity
• Contributing to long-term business planning and strategic objectives
• Collaborating with cross-functional teams to analyze product development
• Evaluating potential acquisitions to support business growth

ASSUMPTION: This role requires a strategic mindset, strong analytical skills, and extensive experience in financial services to drive business growth through strategic partnerships.

📋 Key Responsibilities

✅ Lead the formulation of the financial services strategy and identify opportunities with financial partners

✅ Define performance standards and targets through financial modeling

✅ Continually support the business team and assess the impact of the company's domestic risk strategy

✅ Responsible for commercial negotiations and deal structuring with financial institutions

✅ Create positive, long-lasting relationships with current and potential financial partners

✅ Develop techniques to maximize the portfolio return, limiting redundancy and managing liquidity

✅ Support long term business planning and strategic objectives of new product rollouts and new businesses in territories

✅ Provide an effective interface between the commercial, business, product, risk and executive teams in analyzing and interpreting product development over time

✅ Evaluate potential target acquisitions in achieving the groups Growth Strategies and work with the group and subsequent integration

ASSUMPTION: This role involves a high degree of independence and requires strong leadership, communication, and negotiation skills.

🎯 Required Qualifications

Education: Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Finance, Business Administration, Economics, or a related field; MBA or CFA is a strong plus.

Experience: 8–10+ years in financial services strategy, commercial negotiations, and cross-market business growth within complex or multinational environments.

Required Skills:

• Analytical & Strategic Thinking: Deep expertise in financial modeling, risk assessment, deal structuring, and performance forecasting
• Leadership & Team Management: Proven ability to build, lead, and develop high-performing teams, with experience in setting KPIs and managing performance
• Global & Commercial Acumen: Experience working across geographies, evaluating acquisitions, and forming strategic partnerships to support business expansion
• Fluency in French: Required

Preferred Skills:

• Experience in the Fintech industry
• Knowledge of the African financial landscape

ASSUMPTION: Given the global nature of this role, candidates with international experience and cultural sensitivity are highly desirable.

💰 Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range: Competitive remuneration package (exact details not provided)

Benefits:

• Extra day off on your birthday
• Performance-based bonus scheme
• Comprehensive private healthcare insurance
• All the tech gear you need to work smart

Working Hours: Full-time (40 hours per week)

ASSUMPTION: The salary range is competitive and in line with industry standards for a role of this level and location. Benefits are comprehensive and designed to support work-life balance and employee well-being.

📌 Applicant Insights

🔍 Company Context

Industry: Optasia operates in the Financial Services industry, focusing on B2B2X financial technology platforms for MNOs, mobile wallet operators, and financial institutions.

Company Size: Optasia has 201-500 employees, providing a mid-sized company environment with opportunities for growth and collaboration.

Founded: Optasia was founded in 2012 and has since expanded to over 40 countries, with a strong presence in emerging markets.

Company Description:

• Optasia delivers an AI Platform enabling financial access for the next billion customers
• Provides accurate credit scoring, intelligent credit decisions, and a broad range of financial services development
• Supports successful business models through a fully-automated decisioning algorithm

Company Specialties:

• VAS (Value-Added Services)
• Mobile VAS
• Mobile Financial Services
• Digital Finance
• Mobile Finance
• Fintech
• Handset Loans
• Big Data
• Big Data Analytics
• Micro Loans
• Nano Loans
• Airtime Credit Services
• Platform-as-a Service
• Credit-as-a Service
• and BNPL (Buy Now, Pay Later)

Company Website: optasia.com

ASSUMPTION: Optasia's focus on emerging markets and financial inclusion makes it an attractive employer for candidates interested in driving social impact through financial technology.

📊 Role Analysis

Career Level: This role is a senior leadership position, reporting directly to the executive team and overseeing a team of partnership managers.

Reporting Structure: The Head of FSP Partnerships will report directly to the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) and work closely with the Chief Financial Officer (CFO), Chief Risk Officer (CRO), and other senior leaders.

Work Arrangement: This role is on-site, with the primary office location in Porto-Novo, Benin. However, travel may be required to visit partners and other Optasia offices.

Growth Opportunities:

• Potential to expand the partnership team and take on additional responsibilities as the company grows
• Opportunities to work on strategic projects and initiatives that drive business expansion
• Possibility to transition into other senior leadership roles within the organization

ASSUMPTION: Given Optasia's growth trajectory, there are significant opportunities for career advancement and professional development in this role.

🌍 Location & Work Environment

Office Type: Optasia's office in Porto-Novo is a modern, collaborative workspace designed to foster innovation and creativity.

Office Location(s): Porto-Novo, Benin

Geographic Context:

• Porto-Novo is the capital city of Benin, located on the coast of the Gulf of Guinea
• The city offers a mix of urban and coastal living, with a vibrant culture and growing economy
• Benin is a West African country with a diverse range of industries, including agriculture, trade, and finance

Work Schedule: The work schedule is Monday to Friday, with standard business hours. However, flexibility may be required to accommodate partner meetings and other commitments.

ASSUMPTION: Porto-Novo offers a unique blend of cultural experiences and professional opportunities, making it an attractive location for international candidates.

💼 Interview & Application Insights

Typical Process:

• Online application submission
• Phone or video screening with the HR team
• In-depth interviews with senior leadership, including the CEO and CFO
• Final round interviews with key stakeholders, such as potential direct reports
• Background check and offer extension

Key Assessment Areas:

• Strategic thinking and problem-solving skills
• Financial modeling and analysis capabilities
• Cross-cultural communication and negotiation skills
• Leadership and team management abilities
• Cultural fit and alignment with Optasia's values

Application Tips:

• Tailor your resume and cover letter to highlight relevant experience and skills for this role
• Demonstrate your understanding of Optasia's business model and the African financial landscape
• Prepare examples of your financial modeling and analysis work, as well as successful partnership negotiations
• Research Optasia's competitors and industry trends to showcase your knowledge and insights

ATS Keywords: Financial services strategy, commercial negotiations, cross-market business growth, financial modeling, risk assessment, deal structuring, performance forecasting, team management, global acumen, strategic partnerships, acquisition evaluation, business planning, customer retention, growth maximization, portfolio management, liquidity management

ASSUMPTION: Optasia's interview process is designed to assess candidates' technical skills, cultural fit, and strategic thinking, with a focus on finding the best fit for the organization's long-term growth.

🛠️ Tools & Technologies

• Microsoft Office Suite (Excel, PowerPoint, Word)
• Financial modeling software (e.g., Excel, VBA, or specialized tools like Palisade's @RISK)
• CRM software (e.g., Salesforce, HubSpot, or Zoho CRM)
• Project management tools (e.g., Asana, Trello, or Microsoft Project)
• Communication and collaboration tools (e.g., Slack, Microsoft Teams, or Google Workspace)

ASSUMPTION: Optasia uses a range of industry-standard tools and technologies to support its operations and drive business growth.

👔 Cultural Fit Considerations

Company Values:

• Innovation: Embracing change and continuous improvement
• Integrity: Acting with honesty and transparency in all interactions
• Collaboration: Working together to achieve common goals
• Accountability: Taking responsibility for one's actions and delivering on commitments
• Customer-centricity: Focusing on the needs and preferences of our partners and customers

Work Style:

• Results-driven: Focusing on achieving outcomes and delivering value
• Adaptable: Embracing change and responding to new challenges and opportunities
• Data-driven: Making informed decisions based on evidence and analysis
• Cross-cultural: Working effectively with diverse teams and stakeholders

Self-Assessment Questions:

• How do you embody Optasia's values in your daily work?
• Can you provide an example of a time when you successfully navigated a cross-cultural partnership or negotiation?
• How do you approach setting and managing KPIs for your team and partners?

ASSUMPTION: Optasia's culture is characterized by innovation, collaboration, and a strong focus on customer-centricity. Candidates who align with these values and work styles are more likely to succeed in the organization.

⚠️ Potential Challenges

• Managing relationships with multiple financial partners across diverse geographies
• Balancing short-term performance targets with long-term strategic objectives
• Navigating the complexities of the African financial landscape and regulatory environment
• Adapting to Optasia's fast-paced and dynamic work environment

ASSUMPTION: These challenges require strong leadership, strategic thinking, and adaptability, making them opportunities for growth and development in this role.

📈 Similar Roles Comparison

• Unlike traditional financial services roles, this position requires a strong focus on strategic partnerships and business growth, rather than day-to-day operations or product management
• In the African financial landscape, this role offers unique opportunities to drive financial inclusion and innovation
• Career progression in this role could lead to senior leadership positions within Optasia or other financial services organizations

ASSUMPTION: This role is distinct from traditional financial services positions, offering a unique blend of strategic, commercial, and leadership responsibilities.

📝 Sample Projects

• Developing a financial model to optimize portfolio returns and manage liquidity for a new partnership
• Conducting a market analysis to identify new partnership opportunities in an emerging market
• Negotiating a strategic partnership agreement with a major financial institution, including deal structuring and risk mitigation

ASSUMPTION: These sample projects illustrate the strategic, analytical, and commercial aspects of this role, highlighting the importance of strong financial modeling, negotiation, and partnership management skills.

❓ Key Questions to Ask During Interview

• Can you describe the company's long-term vision for growth and expansion in Africa?
• How does Optasia support its partners in driving financial inclusion and innovation?
• What are the key priorities for this role in the first 90 days?
• How does Optasia measure the success of its partnerships, and how can I contribute to improving these metrics?
• What opportunities are there for professional development and career growth within Optasia?

ASSUMPTION: These questions demonstrate a candidate's interest in Optasia's mission, strategic priorities, and long-term growth potential.

📌 Next Steps for Applicants

To apply for this position:

• Submit your application through the Optasia careers portal
• Tailor your resume and cover letter to highlight your relevant experience and skills for this role
• Prepare examples of your financial modeling and analysis work, as well as successful partnership negotiations
• Research Optasia's business model, industry trends, and competitors to showcase your knowledge and insights
• Follow up with the Optasia HR team one week after submitting your application to confirm receipt and inquire about next steps

⚠️ This job description contains AI-assisted information. Details should be verified directly with the employer before making decisions.