Background information about the job or company (e.g., role context, company overview)

Housing Finance Company of Kenya was incorporated as the premier mortgage Finance Institution in Kenya licensed under the Banking Act with the CDC and the GoK owning 60% and 40% respectively.

Housing Finance started operations with the main objective of implementing the government’s policy of promoting thrift and home ownership by lending ...

Responsibilities or duties

Product Strategy & Discovery

• Lead market research and user discovery to identify product opportunities in mobile-led savings, TPS digital workflows, property marketplace commercialization, and CBS-platform integrations.
• Conduct feasibility assessments (technical, financial, regulatory, and commercial) to inform go/no-go decisions and product prioritization.
• Define and communicate product vision, strategy, and roadmaps aligned with organizational objectives and market needs.

Product Development & Delivery

• Partner with mobile operators (Safaricom, Airtel, Telkom) to co-create and launch digital savings products, ensuring seamless integration with HF Group's CBS and compliance with regulatory requirements.
• Drive the development and refinement of the Tenant Purchase Scheme (TPS) digital platform, including tenant onboarding, payment processing, document management, and end-to-end customer experience optimization.
• Lead the commercialization of HF Group's digital property marketplace, defining monetization models, vendor onboarding workflows, and user acquisition strategies.
• Manage integrations between the core banking system (CBS) and external platforms including Boma Yangu, eCitizen, CRM, and partner APIs — ensuring data integrity, system reliability, and scalability.
• Oversee the implementation of property management tools, rental collection automation, invoicing systems, office automation solutions, and knowledge management systems.

Product Growth & Optimization

• Monitor product performance through user adoption metrics, engagement analytics, transaction volumes, and revenue attribution — translating insights into product improvements and feature prioritization.
• Lead iterative product cycles informed by user feedback, A/B testing, and data analysis to continuously enhance user experience and commercial outcomes.
• Design and execute go-to-market strategies in collaboration with marketing, sales, and customer service teams to drive user acquisition, activation, and retention.

Stakeholder Management & Cross-Functional Collaboration

• Collaborate with internal teams (IT, Innovation, Marketing, Compliance, Finance, Customer Service, TPS Operations) and external partners (mobile operators, government entities, technology vendors) to ensure successful product delivery and adoption.
• Manage vendor and partner relationships, including contract negotiations, SLA management, and performance tracking to ensure quality service delivery.
• Serve as the primary product owner for digital initiatives, translating stakeholder requirements into clear product specifications and user stories for development teams.

Risk, Compliance & Security

• Ensure all digital products comply with regulatory requirements including CBK guidelines, data protection laws (Data Protection Act, 2019), and industry standards for financial services and housing finance.
• Proactively identify and mitigate product risks including security vulnerabilities, operational dependencies, and commercial viability concerns throughout the product lifecycle.
• Work closely with compliance, legal, and IT security teams to embed risk management and regulatory adherence into product design and delivery processes.

Qualifications or requirements (e.g., education, skills)

Key Competencies and Skills

Technical Competencies

• Product Lifecycle Management — from discovery through launch, growth, and maturity stages.
• Digital Platforms & Integrations — understanding of APIs, webhooks, CBS architectures, and system interoperability.
• Data Analytics & Product Metrics — proficiency with analytics tools (Google Analytics, Mixpanel, Tableau, Power BI) and ability to translate data into actionable product insights.
• Agile & Scrum Methodologies — hands-on experience working in agile environments, writing user stories, managing backlogs, and facilitating sprint planning.
• Commercial Acumen — ability to design monetization models, assess ROI, and balance user needs with business viability.
• Regulatory & Compliance Awareness — understanding of financial services regulation, data privacy laws, and security best practices.

Leadership Competencies

• Strategic Thinking & Vision — ability to connect product work to broader business strategy and articulate a compelling product vision.
• Stakeholder Management — skilled at building relationships, managing expectations, and influencing without direct authority across diverse internal and external stakeholders.
• Problem Solving & Decision Making — analytical and pragmatic approach to resolving ambiguity, prioritizing trade-offs, and making sound product decisions under uncertainty.
• Communication & Presentation — clear, persuasive communicator able to present complex ideas to technical and non-technical audiences at all organizational levels.
• User-Centric Mindset — deep empathy for users, commitment to understanding their needs, and passion for delivering exceptional user experiences.
• Collaboration & Influence — proven ability to work effectively across functions, build consensus, and drive alignment in matrixed environments.

Minimum Qualifications, Knowledge and Experience

Academic & Professional

• Bachelor's degree in Business, Economics, Computer Science, Engineering, Information Systems, or related field.
• Professional certification in Product Management (e.g., Certified Product Manager, Product Management Certificate) is strongly preferred.
• Certification or training in Agile/Scrum methodologies is an added advantage.

Experience

• Minimum 4–6 years in digital product management, fintech, proptech, or digital banking — with demonstrable experience launching and scaling digital products.
• Proven track record of managing partnerships with mobile operators, payment platforms, or technology vendors.
• Experience working with core banking systems, API integrations, and multi-platform ecosystems.
• Background in agile product development with cross-functional teams (engineering, design, business, compliance)
• Experience in housing finance, real estate technology, or financial services innovation is highly desirable.

• Lead market research and user discovery to identify product opportunities in mobile-led savings, TPS digital workflows, property marketplace commercialization, and CBS-platform integrations.
• Conduct feasibility assessments (technical, financial, regulatory, and commercial) to inform go/no-go decisions and product prioritization.
• Define and communicate product vision, strategy, and roadmaps aligned with organizational objectives and market needs.
• Partner with mobile operators (Safaricom, Airtel, Telkom) to co-create and launch digital savings products, ensuring seamless integration with HF Group's CBS and compliance with regulatory requirements.
• Drive the development and refinement of the Tenant Purchase Scheme (TPS) digital platform, including tenant onboarding, payment processing, document management, and end-to-end customer experience optimization.
• Lead the commercialization of HF Group's digital property marketplace, defining monetization models, vendor onboarding workflows, and user acquisition strategies.
• Manage integrations between the core banking system (CBS) and external platforms including Boma Yangu, eCitizen, CRM, and partner APIs — ensuring data integrity, system reliability, and scalability.
• Oversee the implementation of property management tools, rental collection automation, invoicing systems, office automation solutions, and knowledge management systems.
• Monitor product performance through user adoption metrics, engagement analytics, transaction volumes, and revenue attribution — translating insights into product improvements and feature prioritization.
• Lead iterative product cycles informed by user feedback, A/B testing, and data analysis to continuously enhance user experience and commercial outcomes.
• Design and execute go-to-market strategies in collaboration with marketing, sales, and customer service teams to drive user acquisition, activation, and retention.
• Collaborate with internal teams (IT, Innovation, Marketing, Compliance, Finance, Customer Service, TPS Operations) and external partners (mobile operators, government entities, technology vendors) to ensure successful product delivery and adoption.
• Manage vendor and partner relationships, including contract negotiations, SLA management, and performance tracking to ensure quality service delivery.
• Serve as the primary product owner for digital initiatives, translating stakeholder requirements into clear product specifications and user stories for development teams.
• Ensure all digital products comply with regulatory requirements including CBK guidelines, data protection laws (Data Protection Act, 2019), and industry standards for financial services and housing finance.
• Proactively identify and mitigate product risks including security vulnerabilities, operational dependencies, and commercial viability concerns throughout the product lifecycle.
• Work closely with compliance, legal, and IT security teams to embed risk management and regulatory adherence into product design and delivery processes.

• Product Lifecycle Management
• Digital Platforms & Integrations
• Data Analytics & Product Metrics
• Agile & Scrum Methodologies
• Commercial Acumen
• Regulatory & Compliance Awareness
• Strategic Thinking & Vision
• Stakeholder Management
• Problem Solving & Decision Making
• Communication & Presentation
• User-Centric Mindset
• Collaboration & Influence

• Bachelor's degree in Business, Economics, Computer Science, Engineering, Information Systems, or related field.
• Professional certification in Product Management (e.g., Certified Product Manager, Product Management Certificate) is strongly preferred.
• Certification or training in Agile/Scrum methodologies is an added advantage.