Executive Head of Department - Business Development and Strategic Partnerships (Internal/External)

The Executive Head of Business Development and Strategic Partnerships will shape and execute Safaricom Telecommunications Ethiopia's growth agenda within the Strategy Business Unit – ET department. Reporting to senior leadership, the role will identify new market opportunities, forge high‑impact collaborations with government bodies, development agencies, technology partners, investors, and private‑sector entities, and deliver market intelligence that informs strategic decisions and long‑term corporate objectives.

At Safaricom Ethiopia, we are a purpose-led technology company dedicated to transforming lives through digital connectivity and inclusive financial services. In less than five years, we have grown to serve over 15 million 90 days active customers, with our network now reaching 60% of Ethiopia’s population; a testament to our bold vision and trusted partnerships.

Guided by our core values of Customer Obsession, Innovation, Integrity, and Get It Done Together, we are building a dynamic, inclusive, and empowering workplace. We believe our greatest strength lies in our people. That is why, for three consecutive years, we have proudly earned the Top Employer Award. In addition, we have received the African Top Employer recognition for the first time, reflecting our unwavering commitment to fostering a supportive, innovative, and inclusive work environment.

Join Safaricom Ethiopia and be part of a team shaping the digital future of Ethiopia. Here, your work has meaning, your voice matters, and your growth is our priority. Together, we are transforming lives for a digital future.

Role purpose:

The role holder is responsible for defining and driving the company's business development, strategic partnership, and market intelligence agenda to accelerate sustainable growth. The role provides strategic leadership in identifying new business opportunities, developing high-impact partnerships, and generating market insights that support executive decision-making and long-term corporate objectives.

Working closely with the business leadership, the role establishes external partnerships with government institutions, development agencies, technology partners, investors, and private-sector organizations while overseeing market and business intelligence to identify emerging opportunities, competitive threats, and strategic investments.

Key accountabilities and decision ownership:

Strategic Business Development

• Define and execute the company's Business Development Strategy aligned with corporate objectives.
• Identify, evaluate, prioritize, and incubate new growth opportunities, strategic initiatives, and adjacent business models.
• Lead commercial evaluation and business case development for new products, ecosystem opportunities, strategic investments, and expansion initiatives.
• Drive cross-functional initiatives to translate strategic opportunities into commercially viable businesses.

Strategic Partnerships

• Develop and manage strategic relationships with governments, regulators, NGOs, development partners, investors, technology providers, and ecosystem players.
• Lead partnership strategy, commercial negotiations, governance frameworks, and value realization.
• Build long-term strategic alliances that strengthen market position, enhance customer value propositions, and create sustainable competitive advantage.
• Represent the company in high-level external engagements and strategic forums.
• Market & Business Intelligence
• Establish the company's market intelligence framework covering market trends, customer dynamics, competition, technology evolution, and macroeconomic developments.
• Ensure timely generation of strategic insights to support Executive Management and business functions.
• Oversee strategic assessments, competitive benchmarking, market opportunity analysis, and investment evaluations.
• Drive fact-based strategic decision making through business intelligence and analytical insights.
• Leadership
• Lead, coach, and develop Business Development teams, including Market & Business Intelligence and Strategic Partnerships.
• Foster a high-performance culture focused on collaboration, innovation, accountability, and execution excellence.
• Promote effective cross-functional collaboration across Commercial, Technology, M-PESA, Enterprise, Finance, Legal, Regulatory, and Strategy functions.
• Analyze business and financial data for potential business expansion or M&A opportunities
• Provide macro-economic analysis
• Provide market intelligence and business intelligence.

• Core competencies, knowledge and experience:

• Proven experience leading strategic partnerships, ecosystem development, or corporate business development at a senior management level.
• Strong understanding of market intelligence, competitive analysis, business case development, and strategic planning.
• Experience evaluating new business opportunities, investments, joint ventures, or M&A initiatives.
• Demonstrated experience engaging with executive leadership, government stakeholders, regulators, development agencies, and international partners.
• Strong commercial acumen with excellent financial, analytical, and strategic thinking capabilities.
• Proven leadership experience managing multidisciplinary teams and influencing cross-functional stakeholders
• Ability to operate effectively in a dynamic, fast-changing environment while balancing strategic thinking with execution.

• Key performance indicator:

• Delivery of Business Development Strategy and strategic growth initiatives.
• Value generated through strategic partnerships and ecosystem collaborations.
• Pipeline and conversion of new business opportunities.
• Quality and timeliness of market intelligence and strategic insights.
• Successful execution of partnership agreements and governance.
• Executive stakeholder satisfaction with strategic recommendations and business insights.

Development and performance of the Business Development organization.

Must have technical / professional qualifications:

• Bachelor's degree in business administration, Economics, Finance, Engineering, or a related discipline.
• 12–15+ years of experience in strategy, corporate development, business development, management consulting, investment, or commercial leadership.
• Strong financial modelling and business case evaluation capabilities.
• Excellent stakeholder management, negotiation, and influencing skills.
• Excellent written and verbal communication and presentation skills.

• Strong ability to communicate effectively in English

How to Apply. If you feel that you are up to the challenge and possess the necessary qualification and experience, kindly proceed to create/ update your candidate profile on the recruitment portal and then Click on the apply button. Remember to attach your resume.