Description

Job Description
Product Growth Manager (Merchant &Agent Operations)

We are Zone Payment Network Limited based in Lagos, Nigeria.

Zone is building the world's first regulated blockchain network for payments and embedded DeFi. Our Layer-1 Blockchain network digitizes Fiat payments and enables the transition to digital currencies while connecting previously excluded financial institutions into an all-inclusive payment ecosystem. As Africa's first decentralized payment network, Zone serves as a bridge between the traditional financial system and the world of digital assets. We allow participating institutions to connect directly and perform payment transactions without an intermediary, unlocking the superior efficiency of DeFi for the vast majority of users by solving the critical challenges of regulation, usability, and interoperability

We recognize that our highly talented and hyper-motivated people are at the core of our exponential growth. As such, we remain committed to our tried and trusted approach of bringing people with exceptional talent and abilities into an enabling environment where each person can become a better version of themselves and achieve unprecedented career success while delivering impact and having fun!

Your contributions have the potential to impact millions of people across Africa and beyond as we work together to connect every monetary store of value by harnessing the power of blockchain.

Job Profile:

As we are preparing to launch our revolutionary "scan-to-pay" solution, ZonePay, we are looking for an exceptional leader to build and scale our ground-game and own our merchant ecosystem. We are seeking a seasoned, results-obsessed leader to join us as the Product Growth Manager (Merchant & Agent Operations). This is a strategic, high-impact position responsible for building and managing the entire physical infrastructure of our go-to-market strategy.

You will be the general on the ground, the single owner of our offline growth engine. You will be tasked with standing up and scaling our field force, driving best-in-class merchant activation, and running the trade programs.

As Product Growth Manager (Merchant and Agent Operations), your job responsibilities include the following:

1. Agent Network Architecture & Operations:
• Build, manage, and optimize our third-party field agent network, ensuring we have the most effective and motivated ground force in the market.
• Develop and deploy world-class training programs, operational playbooks, and performance management frameworks for our field agents.
• Serve as the primary liaison with our partner agencies, holding them accountable to strict KPIs and ensuring flawless execution.

2. Merchant Program & Lifecycle Management:
• Design and execute innovative, data-driven merchant marketing programs (e.g., incentive programs, in-store visibility campaigns, advocacy programs) designed to drive transaction volume.
• Develop and manage the end-to-end merchant lifecycle, ensuring a seamless and positive experience from initial activation to ongoing engagement.
• Collaborate with our partner banks' merchant acquisition teams to ensure a frictionless onboarding pipeline.

3. Strategic Growth & Scalable Playbooks:
• Own the execution of our "Around the Institutions" GTM strategy, starting with our university pilot programs and scaling them nationwide.
• Utilize data and on-the-ground insights to refine our merchant engagement strategies and agent operational models continuously.
• Develop and document scalable playbooks for all field activities, enabling rapid expansion into new territories.

4. Leadership & Cross-Functional Collaboration:
• Work closely with the VP of Sales, Head of Product, and other senior leaders to ensure your programs are perfectly aligned with our broader business objectives.
• Provide regular, insightful reports to the executive team on network performance, merchant activity, and campaign ROI.

We would love to meet you if:
• You want to build something that endures. The legacy of the work you do matters to you.
• A Seasoned Operator: You have 8+ years of experience in channel marketing, trade marketing, agent network management, or a related field within a top-tier FMCG, Telco, or high-growth Fintech in Nigeria.
• A Proven Builder: You have a demonstrated track record of building and scaling high-performing field teams and agent networks from the ground up. You don't just manage systems; you create them.
• A Merchant-Obsessed Strategist: You think deeply about the merchant lifecycle. You understand what motivates small business owners and how to design programs that drive both engagement and commercial results.
• Data-Driven & Analytical: You are obsessed with metrics. You know how to set clear KPIs, build dashboards, and use data to make smart decisions and optimize performance.
• A Natural Leader: You are an exceptional communicator and motivator who can inspire both internal teams and external agency partners to achieve ambitious goals.
• Hands-On & Willing to Travel: You are not afraid to get your hands dirty. You are comfortable spending significant time in the field across Nigeria, observing, learning, and leading from the front.

How Success Will Be Measured:

Your performance will be measured by your ability to deliver outcomes across four key pillars:
• Network Growth & Health: The successful expansion, activation rate, and retention of our merchant network.
• Transaction Velocity & Adoption: The measurable increase in first-time user transactions and repeat usage attributable to your in-store programs.
• In-Store Excellence: The quality and compliance of our brand's presence at the point of payment and the effectiveness of merchant staff training.
• Operational Rigor: The efficiency of your agent network, the health of our partnership SLAs, and the speed of issue resolution for merchants.

Physical Requirements:

We currently run a flexible work structure; some days are remote while others require you to collaborate with colleagues at the office location. For each situation, you may have:
• Prolonged periods sitting at a desk and working on a computer.

This role reports to the VP, Marketing & Corporate Communication.

Location: Lagos, Nigeria

Grade Level: Manager

Please send us your CV or LinkedIn Profile to careers@zonenetwork.com along with a message on why you think Zone is a good fit for you.