Please login/register to apply for this job.
19 Apr 2026

Permanant Lead : SME Payment Acceptance – Absa Vacancies

Absa Group – Posted by MRJobs24 –  Sandton, Gauteng, South Africa

Job Description

Absa Vacancies – Lead : SME Payment Acceptance

The Lead : SME Payment Acceptance is responsible for driving the growth of SME merchants by leading acquisition, activation, retention, and revenue strategies. This role oversees the full SME growth lifecycle, combining product, commercial, marketing, and partnership initiatives to scale merchant adoption in a sustainable and profitable manner.

You will play a critical role in shaping growth strategy, delivering measurable results, and ensuring alignment across multiple business functions.

Key Responsibilities

  • Define and execute a comprehensive SME merchant growth strategy aligned with business objectives
  • Identify and prioritize key growth drivers across acquisition, onboarding, engagement, and retention
  • Own and manage the SME growth roadmap, ensuring delivery against performance targets
  • Drive merchant acquisition through multiple channels including direct sales, digital platforms, partnerships, and referrals
  • Develop scalable acquisition models that balance growth with cost efficiency
  • Identify opportunities to increase merchant lifetime value through upselling and cross-selling

Product & Experience Optimization

  • Collaborate with Product and Technology teams to enhance onboarding processes and reduce time-to-value
  • Improve merchant experience and usability of payment solutions
  • Drive adoption of value-added services
  • Translate merchant insights into actionable product improvements

Performance & Analytics

  • Own and track key performance indicators such as customer acquisition cost, activation rates, retention, transaction volumes, and revenue per merchant
  • Use data analytics to run experiments, A/B testing, and optimization initiatives
  • Deliver regular performance reports and strategic insights to senior leadership

Partnerships & Ecosystem Development

  • Identify, build, and scale strategic partnerships with banks, telcos, marketplaces, and other platforms
  • Develop commercial models that expand distribution and reduce acquisition costs
  • Manage partner performance and ensure contribution to growth targets

Collaboration & Leadership

  • Work closely with Sales and Marketing teams to develop targeted SME campaigns and value propositions
  • Support sales enablement through clear pricing strategies and incentive structures
  • Lead and develop a high-performing growth team including managers, analysts, and specialists
  • Align stakeholders across Sales, Product, Marketing, Risk, and Operations to achieve growth objectives
  • Act as the central advocate for SME growth across the organization

Requirements

  • 8 to 12+ years of experience in growth, strategy, product, or commercial roles
  • Strong experience working with SMEs, preferably in payments, fintech, financial services, or platform-based environments
  • Proven track record of scaling customer acquisition and revenue growth
  • Experience working in cross-functional, fast-paced environments
  • Strong analytical, strategic thinking, and leadership capabilities

Education

  • Bachelor’s Degree in Business, Commerce, Management Studies, or a related field

APPLY NOW

9 total views, 1 today

Apply for this Job