Interim Country Manager

Location: Remote (within South Africa). You will primarily interact with the executive team in GMT+8 Team: Market Expansion Reports to: VP, Market Expansion & Business Development The Opportunity We have recently launched in South Africa and are looking for a high-impact leader to bridge the gap between our early-stage entry and full-scale operations. This is not a passive advisory role; we need a Fractional General Manager who can commit 10–20 hours per week to "own" the market, solve complex infrastructure hurdles, and drive the product forward. You will have the autonomy of a Country Manager with the flexibility of a consultancy. You are the "boots on the ground" lead, responsible for ensuring our Earned Wage Access (EWA) product thrives in the local ecosystem. The Mission: Supported but Hands-On You are the Lead Architect for our South African operations. While you will have full access to our global functional teams (Engineering, Product, and Legal), you are the one steering the ship locally. Infrastructure & Connectivity: Navigate the complexities of South African payments and bank integrations. You’ll be the one troubleshooting connectivity issues and identifying the right local partners to solve them. Market Navigation: Leverage your local network to establish strategic partnerships and ensure compliance within the short-term lending and fintech regulatory landscape. Operational Execution: You won't just suggest a strategy; you will execute it. This includes setting up local workflows, evaluating product performance, and creating actionable workstreams for our internal teams to fulfill. Internal Bridge: You will work closely with our internal support machine, directing our resources to fix localized friction points and improve the performance of our wage access product. End-to-End Ownership : In conjunction with the VP of Expansion, you will be charged to drive forward all aspects of the business from acquisition to collections performance. You will be critical in deep-diving the most important topic of the week to ensure the business grows profitably and sustainably. Desired Background & Expertise We are looking for a rare blend of executive seniority and "startup grit." The ideal candidate likely possesses: Deep SA Fintech Knowledge: A proven track record in the South African short-term lending or credit space . You understand the nuances of the National Credit Act (NCA) and local consumer behavior. Technical Literacy: Hands-on experience with payments and banking connectivity (e.g., EFT, RTC, API banking, or screen-scraping solutions). You understand how money moves in SA. Builder DNA: Experience establishing a product from the ground up—either as a founder, a high-level Product Lead, or a GM within a high-growth startup. The Network: An existing "rolodex" of connections within South African financial institutions and regulatory bodies to expedite blockers. Professional Versatility: Whether you have 10 years of experience or 40, you are someone who enjoys "doing" as much as "leading." Role Details Commitment: 10–20 hours per week (Flexible). Location: Remote (Must be South Africa based). Compensation: Competitive hourly or monthly retainer, commensurate with GM-level experience.