Column, a U.S.-chartered bank and software company, is hiring a General Manager for Africa.
About the Job
The role leads Column’s expansion across African markets—building partnerships with banks and fintechs, driving growth for a new banking product, and shaping global strategy.
As Column’s General Manager for Africa, you will serve as the continental leader for our most strategic international expansion initiatives. In this role, you will be responsible for driving 0-to-1 growth for a new banking product, with a particular focus on building and nurturing relationships with prospective partners and customers in select markets on the African continent.
Responsibilities
• Lead regional market development: Own the end-to-end process of identifying, evaluating, and executing on high-value partnerships with banks across a number of African markets.
• Build and maintain key relationships: Serve as the primary relationship owner for prospective and existing customers, conducting regular in-person meetings, attending local industry events, and managing ongoing partnership development.
• Own partnership execution: Lead complex deal processes from initial outreach through contract signature, working collaboratively with Column’s Legal Compliance, and Product teams.
• Develop market intelligence: Gather and synthesize insights on local market conditions, regulatory developments, competitive landscape, and customer needs to inform Column’s regional strategy
• Market expertise and network: Become an expert on the correspondent banking space in our key African markets, and build an extensive network within this space.
• Drive operational excellence: Build scalable processes for onboarding, relationship management, and ongoing support that can be replicated as we expand.
Requirements
• 8+ years of experience in business operations, growth or partnerships in high-caliber environment; prior experience at a top-tier technology company preferred
• Track record of successfully managing complex partnerships and high-value deals with executive stakeholders
• Natural networker who thrives on building trust and long-term relationships with senior executives, market experts and decision-makers
• Strong strategic thinking – ability to assess market opportunities, evaluate potential partners, and provide strategic recommendations to senior leadership
• Hyper-organized approach to project management, including coordinating efforts across multiple teams; comfort juggling multiple projects and priorities is critical
• Scrappy, roll-up-your-sleeves attitude – we thrive because we work harder, are more creative, and have zero ego when it comes to getting our hands dirty to build a businesses.
