Implementation and Enablement Specialist

SUMMARY:
The Implementation & Enablement Specialist plays a pivotal role in driving the successful execution of strategic initiatives across the organization. Acting as the critical link between strategy, project planning, and implementation, this role ensures that business priorities are translated into actionable, impactful plans—delivered on time, within scope, and aligned to broader business objectives.

POSITION INFO:
JOB DESCRIPTION INFORMATION:

Job Title: Implementation and Enablement Specialist
Employment Type: Permanent
Work Model: Johannesburg


JOB CONTEXT:
Are you a master of turning bold ideas into brilliant results? As our Implementation and Enablement Specialist, you’ll be the powerhouse driving real impact—connecting the dots between high-level strategy and on-the-ground execution across our exciting Bancassurance and Telecommunications portfolio. Think of yourself as the glue that brings vision to life: you'll champion strategic initiatives, transform them into actionable plans, and ensure flawless execution that delivers real, measurable value. With a sharp eye on results and a passion for operational excellence, you’ll help fast-track innovation, keep projects on point, and make sure nothing gets lost in translation. If you're energized by transformation, thrive on collaboration, and love making things happen—this role was made for you.



DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:
Strategic Enablement:

• Translate high-level strategies into actionable implementation roadmaps, supporting clear alignment between executive objectives and project deliverables.
• Work closely with portfolio, strategy, and execution teams to ensure initiatives are prioritized, resourced, and sequenced effectively.
• Identify and resolve disconnects between strategy formulation and project delivery, ensuring unified direction and focus.
• Support the GM in tracking progress against strategic business objectives and flagging deviations or risks early.

• Facilitate the kickoff, planning, and delivery of projects and programs within the portfolio, ensuring strategic consistency and disciplined execution.
• Serve as a key liaison between business units, project managers, and portfolio leaders to coordinate dependencies and resource allocation.
• Enable agile ways of working; promoting iterative delivery, rapid feedback cycles, and continuous improvement.
• Track portfolio-wide implementation progress, flag bottlenecks, and recommend course corrections as needed.

• Work hands-on with project teams to troubleshoot issues, remove blockers, and optimize execution paths.
• Facilitate the adoption of best practices, standardized methodologies, and effective tools for project management and delivery.
• Drive post-implementation reviews, capturing insights, lessons learned, and recommendations for future initiatives.

• Develop, implement, and maintain the partnership governance framework, including policies, processes, and control mechanisms in line with company and regulatory requirements.
• Design and manage governance structures (such as joint steering committees, oversight boards, and working groups) to provide strategic direction and resolve issues.
• Facilitate regular governance meetings with partners, ensuring effective agenda setting, action tracking, and decision-making.

• Serve as the primary contact for partner governance matters, fostering trust, accountability, and transparency.
• Build and manage strong working relationships with key partner representatives, ensuring alignment of objectives, values, and expectations.
• Proactively address conflicts, escalations, or misalignments, acting as an honest broker to resolve critical issues.

• Ensure all partnership contracts, SLAs, MoUs, and related documents are up-to-date, accessible, and compliant with legal/regulatory standards.
• Monitor obligations and performance under partnership agreements, escalating deviations and ensuring necessary remediation.
• Stay abreast of regulatory changes that could impact partnership operations, and update governance processes as needed.

• Identify, assess, and document partnership-specific risks (operational, reputational, regulatory, etc.), developing mitigation or contingency plans as needed.
• Oversee the ongoing monitoring and reporting of risk indicators, breaches, and issues related to partnerships.
• Drive independent audits or reviews of partnership governance as required.

• Develop KPIs and performance dashboards to track, measure, and report on the commercial and operational outcomes from key partnerships.
• Lead quarterly/semi-annual partnership reviews, identify improvement opportunities, and manage performance improvement plans.
• Ensure alignment between partnership activities and broader business strategy/commercial goals.

• Prepare governance packs, performance summaries, and risk/compliance reports for internal and joint management/executive committees.
• Ensure timely, accurate, and transparent communication of partnership performance, risks, and opportunities to all stakeholders-internal and external.

• Benchmark partnership governance practices against industry standards and recommend enhancements.
• Lead or participate in continuous improvement initiatives, ensuring the governance framework evolves with changes in partner strategy, risk appetite, and market dynamics.
• Capture and disseminate partnership governance lessons learned and best practices across the business.

• Oversee governance processes during partner onboarding/offboarding, mergers, restructures, or major changes in partnership scope.
• Manage change control with respect to partnership agreements, operating models, and governance procedures.

• Direct work experience in a Life Insurance business, operations experience is advantageous.
• Knowledge of business policies, processes and procedures, legal compliance.
• Knowledge of both theoretical and practical aspects of project management in the context of a Life Insurance business.
• Knowledge of project management techniques and tools.
• Knowledge of Information Technology Systems.
• Knowledge of compliance requirements and controls.

• NQF Level 6: Qualification advantageous.
• Qualification in project management or equivalent.

• At least 2 years or more Operations, Implementation or Project Management experience.

• Compensation will be determined based on qualifications, applicable experience, and previous earnings.