Background

The Head – Digital Payroll Loans is responsible for providing strategic and operational leadership for the Digital Payroll Loan business. The role drives growth, digital adoption, corporate partnerships, and portfolio sustainability while ensuring strong governance, risk management, and regulatory compliance. The position plays a critical role in scaling payroll-linked digital lending as a core business line.

Key Responsibilities

1. Strategic Leadership & Business Growth

• Develop and execute the business strategy for Digital Payroll Loans in line with the organization’s overall objectives.
• Drive market expansion, corporate payroll partnerships, and digital loan penetration across targeted segments.
• Own and deliver approved business plans, budgets, and growth targets for disbursements, revenue, and portfolio size.

2. Sales & Corporate Relationship Management

• Lead corporate client acquisition and onboarding for payroll-linked lending products.
• Strengthen and expand relationships with existing employer partners, HR leaders, and payroll administrators.
• Oversee employer engagements, roadshows, and employee awareness initiatives to drive product uptake.

3. Digital Product Adoption & Innovation

• Champion the adoption of digital payroll loan platforms, mobile applications, and self-service lending solutions.
• Work closely with Digital, IT, and Product teams to enhance customer experience and digital capabilities.
• Ensure clear communication of product features, pricing, eligibility criteria, and repayment structures.

4. Portfolio, Risk & Performance Management

• Oversee loan portfolio performance, repayment trends, and credit quality.
• Collaborate with Credit, Risk, and Collections teams to manage delinquency and maintain portfolio health.
• Ensure sustainable growth within approved risk appetite and regulatory frameworks.

5. Stakeholder & Cross-Functional Management

• Act as the primary point of contact for key corporate payroll clients and strategic partners.
• Coordinate closely with internal stakeholders including Credit, Operations, Finance, Digital, IT, Risk, Compliance, and Legal teams.
• Engage external partners, service providers, and regulators as required.

6. Reporting & Management Information

• Review and present periodic business performance reports, including sales pipelines, disbursements, and portfolio analytics.
• Provide strategic insights and recommendations to the CEO and senior management to support decision-making.

7. Compliance & Governance

• Ensure full compliance with internal policies, KYC/AML standards, and all regulatory requirements applicable in Zambia.
• Maintain robust controls, documentation, and audit-ready records across the digital payroll loan portfolio.

Qualifications and Experience

• Bachelor’s degree in Business, Finance, Information Technology, or a related field.
• Minimum of 8-10 years of experience in digital banking, fintech, or financial services, with at least 5 years in a managerial or leadership role.
• Strong knowledge of digital banking technologies and models.
• Proven track record in managing digital transformation projects and driving financial inclusion initiatives.
• Understanding and application of regulatory compliance

Competencies

• Strategic thinking
• Environmental scanning
• Problem-solving
• Decision-making
• Communication
• Presentation and facilitation

• Develop and execute the business strategy for Digital Payroll Loans in line with the organization’s overall objectives.
• Drive market expansion, corporate payroll partnerships, and digital loan penetration across targeted segments.
• Own and deliver approved business plans, budgets, and growth targets for disbursements, revenue, and portfolio size.
• Lead corporate client acquisition and onboarding for payroll-linked lending products.
• Strengthen and expand relationships with existing employer partners, HR leaders, and payroll administrators.
• Oversee employer engagements, roadshows, and employee awareness initiatives to drive product uptake.
• Champion the adoption of digital payroll loan platforms, mobile applications, and self-service lending solutions.
• Work closely with Digital, IT, and Product teams to enhance customer experience and digital capabilities.
• Ensure clear communication of product features, pricing, eligibility criteria, and repayment structures.
• Oversee loan portfolio performance, repayment trends, and credit quality.
• Collaborate with Credit, Risk, and Collections teams to manage delinquency and maintain portfolio health.
• Ensure sustainable growth within approved risk appetite and regulatory frameworks.
• Act as the primary point of contact for key corporate payroll clients and strategic partners.
• Coordinate closely with internal stakeholders including Credit, Operations, Finance, Digital, IT, Risk, Compliance, and Legal teams.
• Engage external partners, service providers, and regulators as required.
• Review and present periodic business performance reports, including sales pipelines, disbursements, and portfolio analytics.
• Provide strategic insights and recommendations to the CEO and senior management to support decision-making.
• Ensure full compliance with internal policies, KYC/AML standards, and all regulatory requirements applicable in Zambia.
• Maintain robust controls, documentation, and audit-ready records across the digital payroll loan portfolio.

• Strategic thinking
• Environmental scanning
• Problem-solving
• Decision-making
• Communication
• Presentation and facilitation

• Bachelor’s degree in Business, Finance, Information Technology, or a related field.
• Minimum of 8-10 years of experience in digital banking, fintech, or financial services, with at least 5 years in a managerial or leadership role.
• Strong knowledge of digital banking technologies and models.
• Proven track record in managing digital transformation projects and driving financial inclusion initiatives.
• Understanding and application of regulatory compliance