Country Manager Portugal

The Country Manager (CM) is responsible for leading iBanFirst in-market team and sustaining the optimal environment by working collaboratively with key stakeholders such as iBanFirst clients, partners, local authorities (in respect of the legal requirements in place), regulators (in collaboration with the compliance team) and other players impacting iBanFirst business in-market._
- The CM is adept at collaborating and building support of cross-functional teams to deliver the best of iBanFirst to the market._
- A key factor in a business’ success on a market and region, a CM should prove the market has potential which means that he / she should deliver Revenue and sustainable Gross Profit._
- This position is key for companies such as iBanFirst, that are expanding internationally. As CM you are recruited for our understanding of the local market(s), its prospects and clients, the competitive environment, and your leadership abilities._
- A CM holds a strategic position and should be able to expertly translate strategy to execution, unafraid to get things done, or challenge status quo and someone the team can rely on._
- You must inform your team about the needs, priorities, KPIs, OKRs and rationale behind the applied strategy._
- In addition to strong strategic and execution skills, the CM will motivate, inspire and shape a high performing team through leading with vision and role modelling the behaviors key to delivering our sustainable best._

**Major Responsibilities**

**Strategic and Operational Leadership**:

- Work closely with the other CM’s, Regional Directors and the CCO to plan and deliver the direction, strategy and tactics of the sales organization across Europe and helping to shape the overall Commercial Strategy.
- Be an influential team member within the leadership team through contribution and representation within the team.
- Strategically aware of the local development of various industries including payments, banking and financial services, B2B and technology or trends and other factors with the potential to impact iBanFirst’s current and future business in the country and beyond.
- Maintain a keen focus on a well-developed operational risk and control environment and that a strict adherence to iBanFirst compliance practices is maintained at all times through championing risk ownership and accountability in the markets (first line of defense).
- Focus on achieving business targets through growing the existing business, identifying new business opportunities and producing and implementing new products and services across the markets.
- Represent iBanFirst across multiple areas from business development to social responsibility. Speak at conferences and business forums and undertake media/public relations activities to drive positive perceptions of the company based on genuine substance in collaboration with Marketing and Communication teams.
- Manage your organisation and control the agreed resources to achieve Country Sales divisional targets, covering net revenue and controllable margin.
- Providing ongoing strategic guidance on customer segmentation, coverage models, sales methodologies and processes.

**Client, Partnerships and Stakeholders**:

- Develop, cultivate and maintain close relationships with client CEOs, management teams, decision-makers and other influencers.
- Understand and contribute to clients’ unique strategies, priorities, needs and decision making processes and adapt iBanFirst’s approach to dealing with each client appropriately.
- Understand and articulate how iBanFirst differs from its competitors in terms of business strategies and capabilities, product positioning and pricing, and ability to drive client performance. Actively drive this differentiation and insight.
- Finding customers and then managing a portfolio of existing key customers and prospects to generate new profitable business and create long term mutual value, travel to key prospects, and attend to business fairs.
- Share iBanFirst’s views on the FX and payments market with clients and articulate how iBanFirst products and solutions can enhance their business results.
- Ensure that the partners and teams achieve and exceed quarterly sales targets, being responsible for growing revenue across the Country / Region.
- Having a dotted reporting line for the rest of the functions (non-front office) working in country she/he should coordinate all local matters (HR,... etc.) with the functional heads.

**People Leadership and Management**:

- Lead and manage iBanFirst country team, managing iBanFirst’s current talent and hiring new staff (for sales, and consulted for the rest of the local staff) to expand the team’s capabilities. As the site leader for the country, actively engage employees with exceptional communications skills and commitment by role modelling the behaviors underlying iBanFirst’s leadership principles.
- Collaborate directly with functions (finance, risk, due diligence, product, marketing,