Principle Accountabilities

Financial Perspective

• Develop and execute strategies to grow the cards portfolio while improving profitability and unit economics.
• Drive revenue growth through interchange optimization, interest income, and fees.
• Own and manage the Cards P&L including budgets, forecasts, and performance tracking.
• Manage the end-to-end cards portfolio performance including acquisition, activation, spend, income, delinquency rates, attrition and retention against targets and implement corrective actions where required.
• Achieve agreed targets on active cards, spend per active card, yield, IRF, and cost efficiency.
• Optimize pricing structures, cost management, and scheme incentives to enhance returns.
• Ensure adherence to regulatory, scheme, and internal policy requirements.
• Collaborate with risk and credit teams to manage portfolio quality and credit performance.    

Strategic Perspective

• Formulate and execute the Bank’s Cards strategy aligned to the Retail and Business Banking agenda.
• Define and manage the cards product roadmap across credit, debit, prepaid, and virtual cards.
• Identify growth opportunities through segmentation, partnerships, co‑branding, new card propositions, features, and embedded value-added services.
• Lead automation and digital transformation initiatives across card issuance, servicing, and dispute management.
• Manage card scheme relationships (Visa, Mastercard) including compliance, incentives, and strategic initiatives.
• Conduct market and competitor analysis to sustain competitiveness and innovation.
• Develop and maintain merchant partnerships, co-branded cards, and loyalty programs.
• Work closely with technology and operations teams to deliver product enhancements and system improvements
• Support audits, regulatory reviews, and scheme compliance activities.

Acquisition

• Drive card acquisition strategies across digital, branch, and partner channels.
• Support sales, branch, and digital teams to drive card acquisition, activation, and usage.
• Develop compelling customer value propositions across Retail, SME, and Corporate segments.
• Improve customer experience through faster turnaround times, seamless onboarding, and effective servicing.
• Partner with Marketing to drive card visibility, campaigns, and spend activation programs.
• Analyze customer behavior and insights to optimize offers and promotions.
• Drive merchant and ecosystem partnerships to increase acceptance and transaction volumes.

People Management

• Provide leadership, direction, and motivation to the Cards team to deliver strategic and financial objectives.
• Manage staff performance, coaching, and development to maintain a high‑performance culture.
• Ensure appropriate resourcing, succession planning, and capability development.
• Champion continuous learning and adoption of best practices in cards and payments.

Key Competencies and Skills

Technical Competencies

• Deep understanding of card products, schemes, processing, and economics.
• Strong financial analysis and P&L management capability.
• Product development and lifecycle management expertise.
• Data driven decision making and performance management.
• Knowledge of CBK regulations and card scheme rules.

Behavioral Competencies

• Strategic yet execution focused mindset.
• High integrity and strong governance orientation.
• Influential leader with strong stakeholder management skills.
• Resilient, adaptable, and results driven.
• Excellent communication and decision-making ability.

Minimum Qualifications, Knowledge and Experience

Academic Qualification

• Bachelor’s degree from a recognized accredited university.
• Master’s degree in Business Administration, Strategic Management, or related field (preferred).

Experience

• Minimum 10 years’ experience in banking or financial services.
• At least 5 years in a senior cards, payments, or consumer products leadership role.
• Proven track record in building, managing, and scaling card portfolios.
• Strong understanding of card economics, risk, fraud, and regulatory requirements.