Digital VAS & Next Gen Innovation Lead at Safaricom Kenya

Responsibilities

• Drive New Digital Business Growth: Identify, incubate, and scale new digital revenue streams, with primary focus on API Monetization, Ad-Tech, and emerging digital platform opportunities.
• Own Digital VAS Portfolio Strategy: Define and execute the growth strategy for Digital VAS businesses including Digital Health, Video Messaging, Voice AI solutions e.g voice assistants and other next-generation digital offerings.
• Lead Commercialization & Monetization of Digital Innovations: Develop sustainable business models, pricing strategies, and collaborate with segment teams for go-to-market plans that maximize revenue, profitability, ROI and meet the mission targets.
• Establish Strategic Partnerships: Identify, negotiate, and manage relationships with technology providers, content partners, developers, enterprises, startups, agencies, and ecosystem players to drive innovation and commercial success.
• Build and Scale API Ecosystems: Develop and execute API monetization strategies leveraging the network capabilities and digital platform assets.
• Develop and Grow Ad-Tech Business: Create and scale data-driven advertising solutions leveraging telecom capabilities, partnerships, and customer insights to scale Ad-tech business. Drive partnerships with brands, SMEs, agencies, technology providers, and media platforms to grow mobile advertising revenues.
• Drive Innovation and Market Leadership: Continuously assess emerging technologies, monitor industry trends, customer trends, and market opportunities to build a pipeline of future digital businesses.
• Own Business Growth, Performance & ROI: Accountable for revenue growth, profitability, customer adoption, and overall commercial performance across the Digital VAS and innovation portfolio. Deliver revenue, profitability, and customer growth targets.
• Lead Cross-Functional Delivery: Collaborate with cross functional teams: Commercial, Technology, AI & Data Science, Finance, Regulatory, Legal, and CX teams to successfully launch and scale new services.
• Govern Product & Partner Lifecycle Management: Oversee the end-to-end lifecycle of products/services and strategic partnerships, from business case development through performance management and renewal decisions.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Business, Telecommunications, Technology, Computer Science, Engineering, Marketing, Economics, or a related field.
• Master’s degree (MBA or relevant postgraduate qualification) will be an added advantage.
• Minimum 5–7 years’ experience in telecommunications, technology, digital services, fintech, content, media, or related industries.
• At least 4–5 years in a leadership or senior management role driving digital products, innovation, partnerships, or new business development.
• Demonstrated experience in:
  • Digital business development and commercialization
  • API ecosystem development and monetization
  • Ad-Tech, MarTech, or digital advertising businesses
  • Strategic partnership management and negotiations
  • Innovation and emerging technology initiatives