Job Summary:
We are seeking an experienced Senior Product Manager to drive product strategy and execution across our comprehensive product portfolio, which includes Lending, Savings & Deposits, FX, and the forthcoming Trade Finance offering. Reporting to the Product Lead and collaborating closely with the CEO, this role is tailored for a non-traditional product management position. Umba thrives in an AI-native ecosystem, leveraging tools such as Claude Code, Claude Design, Codex, and comparable platforms to define specifications, develop prototypes, and accelerate product deployment. The ideal candidate will draft product and technical specifications optimized for AI agents, oversee end-to-end delivery, and directly contribute small pull requests when efficiency outweighs delegation. Additionally, you will align stakeholders to transform product concepts into scalable business solutions and be accountable for the performance and impact of these products. Expect an environment where speed and innovation are amplified tenfold—without compromising on excellence.
Responsibilities include overseeing daily operations to ensure efficiency and productivity, managing team performance, and fostering a collaborative work environment. Additionally, the role involves coordinating project timelines, allocating resources effectively, and monitoring progress to meet established deadlines. The position requires analyzing operational data to identify trends, implementing process improvements, and ensuring compliance with company policies and industry regulations. Strong leadership skills, excellent communication abilities, and a proactive approach to problem-solving are essential for success in this role.
The position encompasses two distinct yet interrelated areas of expertise, requiring a versatile skill set to navigate both effectively.
We seek a seasoned professional to lead our Strategy & Discovery initiatives, driving insightful analysis and actionable recommendations to shape our organizational direction. The ideal candidate will possess a proven track record in strategic planning, market research, and data-driven decision-making, with expertise in synthesizing complex information into clear, strategic frameworks. Responsibilities include conducting comprehensive market assessments, identifying growth opportunities, and collaborating with cross-functional teams to align business objectives with actionable strategies. Proficiency in analytical tools and methodologies, strong communication skills, and the ability to influence stakeholders at all levels are essential. A minimum of five years in a strategic or analytical role, along with a bachelor’s degree in business, economics, or a related field, is required.
Spearhead the strategic roadmap for lending products, encompassing Logbook, Asset Finance, and Embassy Loans, alongside Savings & Fixed Deposits and Foreign Exchange services—including Exchange, Virtual Account Numbers, and international payouts—as well as the forthcoming Trade Finance offering.
Conduct in-depth customer discovery sessions with key target segments, including freelancers, small and medium-sized enterprise (SME) exporters and importers, as well as individual borrowers and savers.
Analyze potential opportunities, develop hypotheses, and rigorously test them using live production data without relying on an analyst’s involvement.
Prioritize initiatives spanning diverse product lines, such as credit policy adjustments, foreign exchange corridor implementations, and deposit campaigns, while substantiating decisions with quantitative data.
Monitor and analyze the strategic initiatives of key competitors in the African fintech sector—including Ever send, Wave, Flutter wave, and Kuda—to inform critical product development choices.
Delivers projects with precision and accountability, ensuring timely and accurate completion of assigned tasks. Manages execution processes to meet defined objectives while maintaining high standards of quality and efficiency throughout each phase. Responsible for final delivery, verifying that all requirements are fulfilled, and stakeholder expectations are exceeded where possible.
Develop comprehensive product and technical specifications tailored for seamless implementation by engineers and AI coding agents.
Highly precise, free from ambiguity, and fully verifiable—these are the defining qualities of our requirements.
Develop prototypes using Claude Design to evaluate concepts prior to allocating engineering resources.
Code and deliver small pull requests independently using Claude Code when doing so proves more efficient than delegating. At Rumba, product managers are actively engaged within the codebase.
Deliver comprehensive end-to-end logistics solutions while maintaining full ownership of project scope, timeline adherence, and quality standards.
Manage operations within Linear, our cutting-edge platform designed for product and project management.
Execute the established rhythm with Engineering by leading standups, conducting sprint reviews, resolving blockers, managing bug triage, and participating in trade-off discussions when timelines shift.
Collaborate with key stakeholders, including the CEO, Engineering, Data, Credit, Operations, Risk, Compliance, and Marketing teams, to ensure alignment and seamless project execution.
Align deliverables, timelines, and strategic trade-offs across cross-functional teams with diverse objectives and priorities.
Own results, not merely tasks. Align every project with a measurable revenue, growth, or risk objective, then monitor its performance after implementation and refine efforts until the desired metric improves.
Evaluate AI-generated solutions, including implementations, prototypes, and analyses, to verify their accuracy, robustness against edge cases, and alignment with business objectives.
Establish feedback mechanisms by gathering customer insights, refining specifications, utilizing AI-assisted development, measuring outcomes, and iterating on specifications to accelerate the cycle.
Develop and execute launch communications strategies while providing internal enablement initiatives.
Seeking candidates with a Bachelor’s degree in a relevant field and a minimum of three years of professional experience in a comparable role. Proficiency in industry-standard software and tools is essential, along with strong analytical and problem-solving abilities. Excellent communication skills, both written and verbal, are required to collaborate effectively with cross-functional teams. Prior experience in project management or leadership positions is highly advantageous. Knowledge of regulatory compliance and industry best practices is a must. The ideal candidate will demonstrate adaptability, attention to detail, and a commitment to continuous learning and professional development.
A minimum of five years of hands-on experience in product management is required.
Experience in launching consumer or SME products within fintech, banking, or lending industries is required.
A demonstrated history of driving results through measurable outcomes. Your performance is evaluated based on the impact of your work—whether that’s revenue growth, user engagement, or other key performance indicators.
You will be evaluated based on actual performance metrics—such as default rates and deposit growth—rather than planned or shipped targets.
Strong stakeholder coordination is a critical requirement for this role. You will facilitate alignment across a diverse, cross-functional team while maintaining focus on your core objectives.
You possess exceptional written communication skills, enabling you to draft specifications so clear and comprehensive that senior engineers can implement them without requiring further clarification.
Proficient in independently interpreting production data, with strong SQL skills or a commitment to achieving proficiency within the first week.
You have successfully integrated AI-powered tools into your daily work processes, such as Claude Code, Claude Design, and Codex, among others. Your experience includes delivering tangible outcomes with these tools—not merely exploring their capabilities.
Adept at reading and writing code, with the capability to independently prepare and submit a modest pull request using Claude Code.
You thrive in dynamic environments, autonomously navigating from identifying challenges to implementing validated solutions and delivering final products—without requiring constant direction.
Proficient in interpreting CBK and CBN regulatory guidelines to formulate precise product specifications and requirements.
Highly Preferred
Applicants should possess a strong background in credit products, including origination, scoring, and collections, as well as deposit products, with expertise in rate strategy, treasury, and funding operations.
Proficiency in foreign exchange (FX), international payment systems, stablecoins, or virtual account infrastructure is required.
Professionals who have contributed to engineering teams leveraging AI coding agents within live production environments are sought.
Seeking candidates with prior experience in emerging markets, specifically within fintech sectors in Africa, Southeast Asia, or Latin America.
Bonus
An individual with a demonstrated track record of founding or developing products from inception to launch is sought.
Proficient in utilizing trade finance instruments, including invoice factoring, LPO financing, and purchase order financing.
Candidates interested in the position must possess a bachelor’s degree in a relevant field or demonstrate equivalent professional experience. Proficiency in industry-standard software and tools is essential, along with strong analytical and problem-solving abilities. Previous experience in a similar role is preferred, though entry-level applicants with exceptional communication skills may also be considered. A commitment to continuous learning and adaptability in a dynamic work environment is highly valued. Additionally, the ability to work collaboratively in cross-functional teams and meet deadlines under pressure is required.
Compensation is expected to be articulated in Kenyan Shillings.
I’d like to share a brief overview of a project I developed from conception to completion using artificial intelligence. This project involved creating a specific solution, leveraging AI techniques and tools throughout the development process, and ultimately delivering a functional and fully operational output.
Eligible candidates must possess valid authorization to work in Kenya.
A full-time position is available at our Nairobi office.
Qualifications
BA/BSc/HND
Experience Required
5 years
