Description BankservAfrica form part of the South African National Payments System and are a trusted partner of the financial industry, including banking institutions, and therefore require that employees adhere to unwavering standards of honesty and transparency in performing their duties. WHY JOIN BANKSERVAFRICA? As the Head of Digital Payments, you will play a critical role in shaping the future of digital financial services in Africa. You will lead groundbreaking innovations in real-time payments, blockchain-driven finance, and digital assets, working closely with key industry players to drive financial inclusion and modernisation. If you are a visionary leader passionate about financial technology, blockchain, and the future of payments, this role offers an exciting opportunity to lead at the forefront of Africa’s digital transformation. PURPOSE BankservAfrica (BSA) is undergoing a critical transformation in its Digital Payments positioning across Stablecoins, Cryptocurrencies, and Central Bank Digital Currencies (CBDCs). As part of its Strategic Business Development Strategy, BSA is engaging with a broad range of commercial and regulatory industry stakeholders to drive innovation, modernisation, and digitalisation. This role will provide thought leadership, a Centre of Excellence, and strategic direction in the evolving landscape of digital payments. The Head of Digital Payments will be responsible for conceptualising, scoping, and defining innovative financial solutions to support the organisation's transformation and ensure strategic alignment with BSA's long-term business goals and regulatory requirements. Additionally, this role will be responsible for translating BSA's vision and strategic objectives into actionable operational plans and sustainable execution rhythms, driving significant business impact. The Head of Digital Payments will lead the development and implementation of key performance indicators (KPIs) to ensure alignment and accountability across the organisation, fostering a collaborative environment to unify product strategy, data utilisation, platform optimisation, and strategic integration efforts. This role requires a seasoned executive capable of defining, implementing, and continuously improving operational frameworks, effectively bridging communication and collaboration gaps to ensure seamless execution. The Head of Digital Payments will spearhead large-scale transformation initiatives, establishing clear strategic goals, timelines, and measurable success metrics. This individual will serve as a trusted advisor to the CEO and CFO, providing critical insights and foresight to anticipate market trends and potential challenges, enabling proactive decision-making and driving consistent, high-impact results. This highly visible role requires exceptional leadership and influencing skills, as the Head of Digital Payments will collaborate extensively with key stakeholders, including business operations leaders, transformation leads, corporate communications, and regulatory bodies. You will engage with the following stakeholders: • Regulators & Central Banks: SARB, PASA, BASA, National Treasury • Financial Institutions: Commercial banks, fintechs, global payment providers (Mastercard, Visa, etc.) and digital asset or crypto asset service providers • Industry Associations & Corporations: CAASA, etc. • Technology & Blockchain Partners: Leading blockchain consortia, stablecoin issuers, and cryptocurrency exchanges Your key responsibilities include: • Drive digital transformation by leading innovation in crypto-based payments, stablecoins, CBDCs, and related blockchain solutions. • Develop and execute strategies for new digital payment platforms, ensuring scalability, security, and regulatory compliance. • Engage with industry stakeholders (banks, regulators, fintechs, and payment providers) to enhance collaboration and partnerships in digital payments. • Identify and assess disruptive technologies in payments, including smart contracts, DeFi (Decentralized Finance), and tokenized assets. • Lead initiatives in digital payments, ensuring alignment with evolving market trends and regulatory frameworks. • Improve profitability and efficiency through data-driven insights, automation, and digital innovation. • Advise on the strategic alignment of new partnerships and emerging financial technologies. • Develop policies and frameworks for managing risks related to digital assets, stablecoins, and blockchain-based transactions. • Manage and mentor a team to drive performance, innovation, and collaboration in digital payments. QUALIFICATIONS / KNOWLEDGE • Honour’s degree or equivalent in Finance, Economics, Business, or Digital Innovation. • 10 years of experience in digital payments, blockchain, fintech, financial innovation, and regulatory frameworks. • Strong expertise in cryptocurrency, CBDCs, stablecoins, and blockchain-based financial systems. • Deep understanding of digital identity, open banking, and DeFi ecosystems. • Proven ability to drive financial transformation, innovation, and partnerships. • Experience engaging with regulators, central banks, and financial industry leaders. • Strong leadership, stakeholder management, and strategic decision-making skills. EXPERIENCE • Expertise in blockchain, stablecoins, CBDCs, and digital payments ecosystems. • Strong financial acumen with an ability to drive business profitability and efficiency. • Exceptional problem-solving, communication, and strategic thinking skills. • Ability to navigate complex regulatory and compliance landscapes. • High-level stakeholder engagement and negotiation skills. • Proven ability to manage teams and drive digital transformation.