Manager, Prov Behavioural Economist

Company Description

Standard Bank Group is a leading Africa-focused financial services group, and an innovative player on the global stage, that offers a variety of career-enhancing opportunities – plus the chance to work alongside some of the sector’s most talented, motivated professionals. Our clients range from individuals, to businesses of all sizes, high net worth families and large multinational corporates and institutions. We’re passionate about creating growth in Africa. Bringing true, meaningful value to our clients and the communities we serve and creating a real sense of purpose for you.

Job Description

To operate across functions (analytics, digital, segment, marketing, channel, country) leveraging behavioural insights to design behaviour change interventions (i.e. nudges) which shape customer behaviour in a way that generates commercial value to PPB.

As a Managerial Behavioral Economist, you will play a critical role in shaping the strategic direction of behavioral interventions within our Retail and Business Banking units. You will leverage advanced behavioral insights to design and implement customer-centric strategies that enhance the financial wellbeing of our clients and generate substantial commercial value for the bank. In this role, you will manage a team of behavioral scientists, analysts, and project leads, working collaboratively across functions such as Analytics, Digital, Product, Marketing, and Customer Experience.

Strategic Behavioral Insights: Lead the development and application of behavioral economics principles to design impactful customer interventions across retail and business banking products, driving improvements in areas such as savings behavior, credit utilization, and financial literacy.

Program Leadership & Team Management: Oversee a cross-functional team, ensuring alignment on project goals and fostering a culture of innovation, collaboration, and continuous improvement. Mentor team members, set performance targets, and provide guidance on best practices in behavioral research and experimentation.

Cross-Functional Collaboration: Partner with stakeholders in Analytics, Product, Marketing, and Digital to embed behavioral insights into product design, marketing campaigns, and customer journey touchpoints. Champion a customer-centric approach that aligns with both business objectives and customer needs.

Data-Driven Decision Making: Utilize data analytics and behavioral research to inform decisions, evaluate intervention outcomes, and optimize strategies. Interpret complex data to identify patterns in customer behavior and translate these into actionable recommendations.

Experimentation and Scaling: Lead the design, testing, and scaling of behavioral interventions, establishing metrics to measure success and demonstrating the business impact. Drive iterative improvements through rigorous A/B testing, piloting, and scaling of successful initiatives.

Stakeholder Engagement and Reporting: Present insights and results to senior leadership and key stakeholders across the bank. Communicate the value of behavioral interventions and provide regular updates on project outcomes, strategic implications, and customer impact. .
 

Qualifications

Minimum Qualifications
Type of Qualification: Post Graduate Degree (NQF Level 8 – 10) 
Field of Study: Behavioural Economics, Psychology, Business, Data Science or a related field. 

Experience Required
Client Coverage

Experience: 3+ years of experience in a behavioral economics role within financial services, consulting, or a related sector, with a strong track record in project management and team leadership.

Additional Information

Technical Skills: Proficiency in data analysis tools (e.g., R, Python, SQL) and experience with A/B testing methodologies. Familiarity with analytics and data visualization software (e.g., Power BI, Tableau) is advantageous.

Interpersonal and Leadership Skills: Strong ability to communicate complex ideas clearly and persuasively. Experience leading diverse teams and working collaboratively in a matrix environment.

Customer-Centric Mindset: Deep understanding of customer behavior in the financial sector, with a focus on driving positive customer outcomes and fostering trust and financial wellbeing.

Behavioral Competencies:

• Convincing People
• Developing Expertise
• Developing Strategies
• Directing People
• Embracing Change
• Examining Information
• Exploring Possibilities
• Interacting with People
• Managing Tasks
• Providing Insights
• Team Working
• Upholding Standards