Program Manager

About Traderoot

Traderoot is a leading fintech company providing cutting-edge financial solutions across various sectors, including e-commerce, banking, and payments. Our mission, “Perfecting and Protecting Commerce,” reflects our commitment to innovation, security, and excellence in financial technology.

Traderoot Africa, a Value-added reseller (VAR) for Traderoot, requires an experienced Program Manager responsible for managing software and services projects from inception to completion, ensuring regulatory compliance and successful delivery on time and within budget.

Key Responsibilities

Responsibilities for this role include:

• Align programs to business strategy (growth, regulatory readiness, digital transformation, cost optimisation).
• Translate requirements into coordinated, cross-functional project plans.
• Prioritise activities across product, compliance, risk, technology, and operations.
• Manage interdependencies between projects (e.g. resources, infrastructure requirements).
• Ensure that regulatory obligations are embedded into delivery:
• Oversee compliance with frameworks such as:
  • Financial Sector Conduct Authority (FSCA)
  • South African Reserve Bank (SARB)
  • Protection of Personal Information Act (POPIA)
  • Payment Card Industry Data Security Standard (PCI-DSS)
• Ensure audit readiness and appropriate documentation.
• Engage legal, compliance, and risk teams early in solution design.
• Identify program-level risks (cybersecurity, fraud exposure, third-party dependency).
• Maintain a consolidated risk register across projects.
• Ensure appropriate control frameworks are implemented.
• Coordinate with information security and risk officers on mitigation strategies.
• Manage program budgets and variances.
• Oversee cost-benefit realisation and ROI tracking.
• Ensure vendor contracts and SLAs support program objectives.
• Ensure that projects are aligned with enterprise architecture strategy.
• Coordinate data migration, integration, API development, and platform upgrades.
• Ensure scalability, resilience, and security are embedded by design.
• Oversee third-party integrations (banks and payment gateways).
• Ensure secure practices are enforced.
• Coordinate penetration testing, vulnerability remediation, and patch management.
• Ensure encryption, identity management, and data governance standards are applied.
• Manage breach response coordination at program level.
• Engage executives, board members, regulators, and investors.
• Communicate program health, risks, and escalations clearly.
• Facilitate alignment between product, tech, operations, finance, and compliance.
• Manage expectations in high-visibility initiatives (e.g., core banking migration).
• Define program governance structures and reporting cadence.
• Establish KPIs and success metrics.
• Oversee project managers and workstream leads.
• Remove roadblocks and manage cross-team conflicts.
• Ensure benefits realization post-implementation.
• Ensure operational teams are prepared for system/process changes.
• Oversee training, documentation, and adoption plans.
• Coordinate cutover planning and post go-live support.
• Measure adoption and operational stability post go-live.
• Oversee fintech ecosystem partners (cloud providers, payment processors, fraud detection platforms).
• Manage development partners.
• Ensure contractual obligations and compliance requirements are met.
• Coordinate multi-vendor program delivery environments.

Skills, Work Experience, and Competencies

Essential Qualifications & Experience

• Minimum of 6 years’ experience in software and services project management.
• Minimum of 3 years’ of experience in program management.
• Minimum of 3 years’ in implementing card-based solutions is preferable.
• Minimum of 4 years’ experience in client-facing environments within the financial technology or related industry.
• Proficiency in project management methodologies such as Agile, Scrum and Waterfall with qualifications/certifications therein.
• Strong reporting and documentation skills.
• Strong understanding of financial regulations and compliance.
• Risk-aware mindset.
• Technical literacy (cloud, APIs, cybersecurity, data architecture).
• High tolerance for complexity and ambiguity.
• Ability to operate in agile and regulated hybrid environments.
• Proven experience managing multiple system implementation projects simultaneously, including Change requests.
• Strong organisational and time management skills with attention to detail.
• Excellent communication and stakeholder management abilities, including Executive-level communication.
• Solid understanding of software development lifecycles and project delivery methodologies.
• Financial and analytical skills for managing budgets and forecasts.
• Leadership and motivational skills to guide cross-functional teams effectively.
• Problem-solving orientation with the ability to work under pressure and meet deadlines.

Essential Qualifications

• A relevant tertiary qualification (undergraduate or diploma) in Project Management, Computer Science, Information Systems or related field.
• PMP Certified.

Why Join Traderoot?

• Innovative Environment: Be part of a pioneering fintech company setting global standards in payments and issuing.
• Strategic Leadership Opportunity: Play a role in shaping the company’s growth and commercial success.
• Market Expansion Potential: Drive business development and commercial initiatives across Africa and beyond.
• Collaborative & Dynamic Team: Work alongside a high-calibre executive team committed to excellence and innovation.

If you are a results-driven commercial leader with a passion for fintech and a proven track record in business development, revenue generation, and strategic partnerships, we invite you to apply.

Terms and Conditions

• The position is based in at our office in Century City, Cape Town
• Compensation will be market-related and based on experience, including sales and performance -based incentives.
• The successful candidate will be required to adhere to Traderoot’s compliance, regulatory, and ethical business standards at all times.

Application Process

Interested candidates must submit a detailed CV and cover letter outlining their qualifications and relevant experience. Applications must be sent to elana.smit@traderoot.com by no later than