9,279 Lead Project Manager Strategic Initiatives Remote jobs in Kenya

• Identify and evaluate new market opportunities and strategic growth initiatives.
• Develop and present comprehensive business plans and financial models for proposed ventures.
• Lead negotiations for strategic partnerships, mergers, and acquisitions.
• Conduct thorough market analysis, competitive intelligence, and industry trend assessments.
• Collaborate with cross-functional teams to ensure strategic alignment and execution.
• Build and nurture relationships with key external stakeholders, investors, and partners.
• Provide strategic guidance and support to senior management on long-term planning.
• Monitor the performance of strategic initiatives and recommend adjustments as needed.
• Stay abreast of emerging trends and disruptive technologies impacting the industry.

• Master's degree in Business Administration, Finance, Strategy, or a related field.
• Minimum of 8 years of experience in strategic planning, business development, or corporate strategy.
• Proven track record of successfully identifying and executing strategic growth opportunities.
• Strong financial acumen and experience with financial modeling and valuation.
• Excellent negotiation, communication, and presentation skills.
• Demonstrated ability to lead complex projects and influence stakeholders.
• Experience working in a remote or distributed team environment is highly desirable.
• Deep understanding of various industries and their competitive dynamics.

• Develop and implement a robust global strategic partnership strategy aligned with the company's growth objectives.
• Identify, evaluate, and prioritize potential strategic partners, including technology companies, channel partners, and industry influencers.
• Lead the negotiation and closing of complex partnership agreements, ensuring mutually beneficial terms.
• Build and maintain strong, long-term relationships with key stakeholders at partner organizations.
• Collaborate closely with internal teams (sales, marketing, product, legal) to ensure successful partner integration and program execution.
• Develop and deliver compelling business cases and proposals to prospective partners.
• Monitor industry trends and competitive landscapes to identify new business opportunities.
• Represent the company at industry events and conferences (virtually or in-person as needed).
• Drive revenue growth through strategic partnerships and new business initiatives.
• Manage and mentor a remote team responsible for partner management and business development.

• Bachelor's degree in Business, Marketing, or a related field; MBA or equivalent preferred.
• Minimum of 10 years of experience in strategic partnerships, business development, or corporate strategy, preferably within the technology sector.
• Proven track record of successfully developing and managing high-value strategic alliances.
• Exceptional negotiation, sales, and communication skills, with the ability to influence at all levels.
• Strong understanding of market dynamics and business modeling.
• Demonstrated experience in leading and managing remote teams.
• Proficiency in CRM software and other business development tools.
• Ability to think strategically and execute tactically in a fast-paced, dynamic environment.
• Excellent analytical and problem-solving skills.
• Global market understanding and experience is highly desirable.

• Develop and refine the company's overall business strategy and long-term vision.
• Identify and evaluate new market opportunities, strategic partnerships, and potential acquisitions.
• Conduct in-depth market research, competitive analysis, and industry trend forecasting.
• Lead the development and execution of strategic initiatives to drive revenue growth and market share.
• Build and manage relationships with key strategic partners, investors, and stakeholders.
• Negotiate and close complex business deals, mergers, and acquisitions.
• Oversee the strategic planning process across all business units.
• Provide strategic guidance and insights to senior leadership and cross-functional teams.
• Develop and track key performance indicators (KPIs) for strategic initiatives.
• Foster a culture of innovation and identify new business ventures.
• Prepare and present strategic recommendations and business cases to the executive team and board.

• MBA or advanced degree in Business, Finance, Economics, or a related field.
• Minimum of 10 years of experience in corporate strategy, business development, or investment banking.
• Proven track record of developing and executing successful business strategies and leading growth initiatives.
• Demonstrated experience in M&A, strategic partnerships, and complex deal negotiation.
• Strong analytical, financial modeling, and market research skills.
• Exceptional leadership, communication, and presentation abilities.
• Experience in managing remote teams and fostering cross-functional collaboration.
• Deep understanding of market dynamics and competitive landscapes.
• Ability to think strategically and translate vision into actionable plans.

Our Purpose
Mastercard powers economies and empowers people in 200+ countries and territories worldwide. Together with our customers, we're helping build a sustainable economy where everyone can prosper. We support a wide range of digital payments choices, making transactions secure, simple, smart and accessible. Our technology and innovation, partnerships and networks combine to deliver a unique set of products and services that help people, businesses and governments realize their greatest potential.
Title And Summary
Principal, Services Business Development, East Africa Cluster Lead

Principal, Services Business Development, East Africa Cluster Lead

The Services team is a key differentiator for Mastercard, providing the cutting-edge services that help our customers grow. Focused on thinking big and scaling fast around the globe, this agile team is responsible for end-to-end solutions for a diverse global customer base. Centered on data-driven technologies and innovation, these services include payments-focused consulting, loyalty and marketing programs, business Test & Learn experimentation, and data-driven information and risk management services.

An exciting opportunity to work with some of Mastercard's most important global and regional clients having a presence in various markets across the East Africa Region, and working as a trusted and valued service partner within the Services team.

Role

• Generate and maintain Services revenue opportunities with strategically important regional accounts across East Africa
• Foster strong relationships with key client executives, as well as internally with key Mastercard stakeholders that tie directly to ROI, and are built on a foundation of trust and value creation
• Support the development of creative business solutions for complex business problems across the Services business, including insights, analytics, Test & Learn, loyalty, managed services and consulting services
• Managing sales pipeline, advancing early stage opportunities to approvals and signature, with continued engagement post sales, e.g., project delivery
• Proactively identify customer risk and opportunity signals; develop comprehensive strategies to combat and/or limit erosion
• Responsible for sales and gross revenue, including platform and recurring revenue optimization, working hand in glove with delivery capabilities on engagement quality and exploring opportunities for up-sell, add-on, cross-sell, etc.

All About You

• Working experience within strategy consulting. Preferrably with financial institutions, including payments
• Strategically focused and solution oriented with proven history of dedicated, high-energy, patient, and customer-centric behavior
• Leverage and synthesize data to analyze business challenges and opportunities
• Embrace a high performance culture and embody a "can-do" attitude
• Balance working autonomously and seeking direction when required within a complex environment
• Strong communication and presentation skills and an ability to establish credibility with C-level executives
• Detail-oriented with strength in data analysis and business case modeling

Corporate Security Responsibility
All activities involving access to Mastercard assets, information, and networks comes with an inherent risk to the organization and, therefore, it is expected that every person working for, or on behalf of, Mastercard is responsible for information security and must:

• Abide by Mastercard's security policies and practices;
• Ensure the confidentiality and integrity of the information being accessed;
• Report any suspected information security violation or breach, and
• Complete all periodic mandatory security trainings in accordance with Mastercard's guidelines.

• Lead and manage strategic consulting projects for clients, focusing on areas such as corporate strategy, market entry, M&A, and competitive analysis.
• Conduct rigorous market research and competitive intelligence gathering to identify emerging trends and opportunities.
• Develop sophisticated financial models to support strategic recommendations, including valuation, forecasting, and scenario planning.
• Analyze complex business problems and synthesize findings into clear, compelling strategic advice.
• Develop and deliver high-impact presentations and reports to C-suite executives and key stakeholders.
• Build and maintain strong, trusted relationships with clients.
• Mentor and guide junior consultants within project teams.
• Contribute to the firm's knowledge management and business development efforts.

• MBA or Master's degree in a relevant field (e.g., Finance, Economics, Business); Bachelor's degree from a top-tier institution is required.
• Minimum of 6-8 years of progressive experience in management consulting, investment banking, or corporate strategy, with a focus on strategic advisory.
• Demonstrated expertise in strategic frameworks, market analysis, and financial modeling.
• Exceptional analytical, quantitative, and problem-solving skills.
• Proven ability to think strategically and translate complex data into actionable insights.
• Outstanding written and verbal communication skills, with experience presenting to senior executives.
• Experience leading cross-functional teams and managing client engagements.
• Ability to thrive in a fast-paced, demanding, and entirely remote work environment.
• Strong project management skills and the ability to manage multiple priorities simultaneously.

• Develop and refine the company's overall business strategy, aligning with long-term objectives.
• Conduct in-depth market analysis, competitive intelligence, and industry trend assessments.
• Identify and evaluate new business opportunities, partnerships, and potential market entries.
• Develop business cases, financial models, and strategic plans for new initiatives.
• Collaborate with executive leadership and cross-functional teams to drive strategy implementation.
• Monitor key performance indicators (KPIs) and provide regular performance reports and insights.
• Facilitate strategic planning workshops and discussions.
• Analyze operational data to identify areas for improvement and efficiency gains.
• Stay abreast of macroeconomic trends and their potential impact on the business.

• MBA or Master's degree in Business Administration, Finance, Economics, or a related field.
• Minimum of 7 years of experience in strategic planning, management consulting, or corporate strategy.
• Proven track record of developing and implementing successful business strategies.
• Strong analytical, problem-solving, and critical thinking skills.
• Excellent financial modeling and quantitative analysis capabilities.
• Exceptional presentation and communication skills, with the ability to influence senior stakeholders.
• Demonstrated ability to lead cross-functional teams and manage complex projects.
• Experience working in a remote or distributed team environment is highly desirable.
• Proficiency in market research tools and business intelligence software.

AGRA and its Work to Transform Agriculture

AGRA is an African-led institution that actively supports the drive towards inclusive agricultural transformation and sustainable food systems. We do this by empowering the continent's 33 million smallholder farming households to transform their agriculture from a struggle to survive to profitable businesses. The continent's farmers regularly face challenges, and we aspire to provide uniquely African solutions that respond to their agricultural and environmental challenges, leading to increased harvests for reduced hunger and more income.

Working in alignment with the development priorities of our focus countries, we enable farmers to access improved and high-yielding seeds, gain knowledge on sustainable farming, and linkages to profitable markets. In our work, we aspire to build the alliances, partnerships, and networks required to drive an inclusive agricultural transformation. We work with our partners to create an equitable youth-friendly environment that harnesses the youth dividend on the continent to drive growth and facilitate open employment opportunities for young women and men.

Why Join Us?

People are the heartbeat of our organization and remain the true drivers of our delivery, impact, and success.

We have cultivated a workplace that fuels Depth in Collaboration, Excellence in Execution, Constructive Engagements, and a spirit of being Increasingly Entrepreneurial; all underpinned by our cherished I-RISE Values (Integrity, Respect, Innovation, Stewardship, and Equity)

We work with incredible people and partners who have roots in farming communities across the African continent, combined with an inclusive, diverse, and talented workforce from over 25 nationalities. Our commitment to a call to action goes beyond ourselves as we arise to catalyze African Food Systems transformation and improve the livelihoods of smallholder farmers.

We are looking for people who are passionate about being part of a mission-driven team that is making a real difference on the continent.

Are you ready to embark on this exciting, transformative journey with us?

The Position

The Chief of Partnerships and Business Development (CPBD) will shape and lead AGRA's institution-wide partnership and fundraising agenda, positioning the organization to attract, align, and sustain diverse forms of capital and collaboration in support of its strategy.

This role combines relationship stewardship, strategic positioning, resource mobilization, and investment partnership development. The CPBD will manage and grow AGRA's ecosystem of funders and strategic partners, while also designing innovative, fit-for-purpose investment and partnership platforms to advance food systems transformation.

This leadership opportunity is for an individual with deep integrity, cross-cultural intelligence, and a passion for designing systems that shape the future. A senior, strategic leader with deep credibility across development, investment, and philanthropy networks. Someone who blends influence with humility, is inspired by African-led transformation, and brings an instinct for building alignment across complexity. The CPBD will report directly to AGRA's President and serve on the Executive Committee.

The CPBD will:

• Serve as a strategic thought partner to the President on global positioning, strategic partnerships, and resource strategies.
• Guide AGRA's institutional engagement with bilateral and multilateral donors, philanthropic foundations, private sector actors, DFIs, sovereign wealth funds, and high-net-worth individuals.
• Oversee and strengthen the Development Cooperation, Private Sector Engagement, and Institutional Partnerships teams.
• Incubate and scale strategic initiatives that crowd in resources and visibility behind key thematic and regional priorities (e.g., youth employment, climate-smart agriculture, nutrition, regenerative systems).
• Serve as a key convenor and steward of AGRA's flagship partnership platform—PIATA—and shape its future evolution.
• Elevate AGRA's voice and profile on global platforms (e.g., COP, WEF, SDG summits) and lead high-level external representation in collaboration with the President.
• Contribute to the design and implementation of innovative funding mechanisms, including blended finance structures, challenge funds, and catalytic partnerships.

Key
Responsibilities
of the role include:

Partnership Strategy and Stewardship

• Lead the development and execution of a multi-year institutional partnership and resource mobilization strategy.
• Cultivate trusted relationships with key external partners, serving as AGRA's senior-most relationship manager.
• Develop a differentiated and coherent value proposition for partners, aligned to AGRA's evolving strategy and Africa's priorities.

Resource Mobilization and Investment Partnerships

• Expand AGRA's funding base beyond traditional aid, including philanthropic capital, climate finance, private sector partnerships, diaspora funding, and demographic ownership.
• Build systems and capabilities for pipeline development, proposal generation, donor reporting, and compliance.
• Work with internal teams and external partners to design and structure catalytic finance vehicles (e.g., funds, alliances, joint ventures).

Team Leadership and Organizational Influence

• Build and lead a high-performing, collaborative team covering Development Cooperation, Institutional Partnerships, and Private Sector Engagement.
• Embed a culture of partnership and co-creation across the organization; support country directors and technical leaders to own and cultivate relationships.
• Ensure effective coordination between central and decentralized partnership functions.

Strategic Initiatives and Positioning

• Shape and steward high-value strategic initiatives that position AGRA for future relevance and impact.
• Lead or co-lead AGRA's representation on key platforms and alliances.
• Design initiatives that unlock collaboration and visibility across governments, investors, and implementers.

PIATA Leadership and Evolution

• Serve as institutional lead for PIATA (Partnership for Inclusive Agricultural Transformation in Africa).
• Reimagine PIATA's structure and role as a platform for greater alignment and co-investment across funders.

The Ideal Leader

This is a pivotal executive role in a moment of transformation for both AGRA and the wider development ecosystem. The ideal leader will not only bring credibility and networks but will also be energized by the opportunity to shape a new paradigm for how African-led institutions partner, fundraise, and collaborate. This is a chance to lead with purpose and with influence.

This role requires a globally fluent, Africa-anchored leader with deep credibility and networks across at least two of the following spaces:

• International development
• Strategic philanthropy
• Climate and sustainable finance
• Agricultural systems and food security
• Private capital and investment platforms

The idea leader will be:

• Influential and collaborative:
  able to build trust and alignment across a range of institutions and individuals.
• Strategic and entrepreneurial:
  comfortable designing novel partnership structures and pursuing innovative opportunities.
• Adaptive and grounded:
  able to navigate both high-level strategic spaces and operational realities.
• Values-led:
  committed to AGRA's mission and excited by its evolving direction.

This is both an outward-facing and institution-shaping role. It will require exceptional stakeholder engagement skills, the ability to navigate internal and external complexity, and the capacity to lead a lean, high-impact team while collaborating across the matrix.

Key
Requirements of
the role include:

• Experience in partnerships, resource mobilization, or related leadership roles.
• Experience leading multi-country and multi-partner strategies, preferably in Africa.
• Track record of fundraising success with institutional donors and/or mobilizing private and philanthropic capital.
• Understanding of agricultural development, climate finance, or adjacent sectors.
• Experience engaging with high-level stakeholders, including heads of state, multilateral agencies, and global investors.
• Proven ability to lead and grow diverse, high-performing teams.
• Advanced degree in a relevant field (e.g., international development, economics, business, agriculture).

How to apply for this role?

AGRA is a crucible for a diverse and equal opportunity organization. We welcome the torch bearers of change for this role. All expressions of interest will be enveloped in confidentiality. Interested executives are requested to
send in a cover letter and their updated resume/CV via email to before the application deadline of 19th September 2025.

If you would like to recommend relevant leaders for this role, please share their profiles and contact details at the same email address.

For more information on AGRA, visit

AGRA is an Equal Opportunity Employer