Director of M&A and Strategic Partnerships, Fintech

Optasia is a fully enabled B2B2X financial technology platform covering scoring, financial decisioning, disbursement and collection. We are committed to enabling financial inclusion for all. We are changing the world our way.
We are seeking enthusiastic professionals, with energy, who are results driven and have can-do attitude, who want to be part of a team of likeminded individuals who deliver solutions in an innovative and exciting environment. The Director of M&A and Strategic Partnerships will lead Optasia's inorganic growth and ecosystem expansion initiatives — identifying, evaluating, and executing acquisitions, investments, and strategic alliances that accelerate the company's growth and strengthen its market position. This role combines strategic vision with hands-on execution and cross-functional coordination. It requires a strong understanding of transaction processes, governance, and stakeholder management, ensuring that each initiative — from M&A to partnerships — is executed with discipline, transparency, and measurable impact.

What you will do 

M&A strategy and execution

• Define and deliver Optasia's M&A strategy in alignment with the company's growth and diversification objectives.
• Identify and evaluate acquisition and investment opportunities in fintech, telco, and adjacent digital sectors (e.g., data, payments, embedded finance).
• Lead end-to-end transaction execution — from origination and assessment to due diligence, negotiation, and closing — in coordination with Finance, Legal, and external advisors.
• Manage all internal and external stakeholders throughout the process, ensuring timely alignment and decision-making at each stage.
• Develop investment proposals and materials for Executive Committee and Board approval, clearly articulating the strategic and financial rationale.
• Oversee post-acquisition integration planning, ensuring delivery of synergies and operational alignment.
• Maintain structured governance across the transaction process — including documentation, progress tracking, risk dentification, and clear handovers to operational teams.

Strategic partnerships

• Lead Optasia's global strategic partnership agenda — developing alliances that strengthen the company's commercial reach, product portfolio, and technology ecosystem.
• Identify, structure, and negotiate partnerships with mobile network operators, financial service providers, and technology enablers, ensuring strategic and commercial alignment.
• Define and maintain the partnership strategic roadmap, including prioritization of opportunities and execution timelines.
• Manage SteerCo meetings for key partnerships — setting agendas, consolidating inputs, reporting progress, and ensuring follow-up on agreed actions.
• Coordinate with Commercial, Product, Finance, and Legal teams to translate partnership frameworks into actionable delivery plans and measurable outcomes.
• Track and monitor ongoing strategic engagements to ensure performance, impact, and compliance with agreed milestones.
• Embed clear governance and communication processes to ensure transparency and alignment across internal teams and partners.

Market intelligence and strategic insights

• Continuously monitor market trends, competitor activity, and investment movements across fintech, telco, and adjacent sectors to inform Optasia's M&A and partnership pipeline.
• Build and maintain a structured market and target database, tracking relevant developments, potential acquisition targets, and partnership opportunities.
• Partner with the Strategy and Finance teams to assess opportunities using both strategic and financial criteria.
• Prepare regular updates, reports, and briefing materials for the CSO, CEO, and Board, summarizing progress, risks, and recommendations.
• Maintain strong external networks across investment banks, advisory firms, and industry partners to identify emerging opportunities and insights.

What you will bring

• Minimum 10 years of experience in M&A, corporate development, strategy consulting, or investment banking, ideally within fintech, financial services, or technology.
• Proven experience in leading complex, cross-border transactions and strategic partnerships.
• Demonstrated ability to manage multi-stakeholder processes and coordinate across internal and external teams.
• Experience across emerging markets (Africa, Middle East, Asia) and understanding of local regulatory and commercial environments.
• Track record of managing partnership governance and steering committees.
• Strong strategic and commercial acumen with the ability to link business goals to deal rationale and execution outcomes.
• Excellent stakeholder management, negotiation, and communication skills.
• Highly organized and structured, with strong process discipline and governance mindset.
• Execution-focused and capable of managing multiple concurrent workstreams with tight timelines.
• Collaborative and adaptable, comfortable working in a fast-paced, multicultural environment.
• Executive presence and confidence engaging with senior management and Board members.
• Bachelor's degree in Finance, Business Administration, or Economics; MBA or equivalent postgraduate qualification preferred

Why you should apply 
Joining Optasia at this stage means becoming part of one of the most exciting ventures in global fintech. Following our successful IPO and listing on the Johannesburg Stock Exchange, Optasia is entering a new chapter of accelerated growth, innovation, and global scale. As Director of M&A and Strategic Partnerships, you will:

• Play a key role in shaping and executing Optasia's global expansion strategy through high-impact transactions and alliances.
• Work directly with the CEO, CSO, and senior leadership on initiatives that define the company's future trajectory.
• Engage with leading investors, institutions, and ecosystem partners across Africa, the Middle East, Asia, and beyond.
• Be part of a purpose-driven company that uses AI to advance financial inclusion for millions across emerging markets.

Join a dynamic, multicultural, and high-performing environment that values innovation, collaboration, and long-term impact. This is a rare opportunity to contribute to a listed, fast-scaling fintech that combines financial success with global purpose — and to do so at a pivotal moment in its journey

What we offer: 
Competitive remuneration package 
Extra day off on your birthday 
Performance-based bonus scheme 
Comprehensive private healthcare insurance 
All the tech gear you need to work smart 

Optasia's Perks: 
Be a part of a multicultural working environment 
Meet a very unique and promising business and industry 
Gain insights for tomorrow market's foreground 
A solid career path within our working family is ready for you 
Continuous training and access to online training platforms 
CSR activities and festive events within any possible occasion

 Optasia's Values  
#1 Drive to Thrive: Fully dedicated to evolving. We welcome all challenges and learning opportunities. 
#2 Customer-First Mindset: We go above and beyond to meet our partners' and clients' expectations. 
#3 Bridge the Gap: Knowledge is shared, information is exchanged and every opinion counts. 
#4 Go-Getter Spirit: We are results oriented. We identify any shortcomings that hold us back and step up to do what's needed. 
#5 Together we will do it: We are committed to supporting one another and to understanding and respecting different perspectives, as we aim to reach our common goals.