Branch Expansion Manager (KwaZulu-Natal)

Bongo Credit is a new consumer finance business being established in South Africa, backed by the experience of an international financial services group. As we expand nationally, we're building a modern branch network focused on responsible lending, transparency, and outstanding customer service. We assess affordability carefully, protect customer data, and operate in full compliance with South African laws and regulatory requirements.

As we grow, we are committed to building lasting relationships – with our customers, our partners, and the regulators we work alongside.

If you're passionate about building and scaling new markets, thrive in an entrepreneurial environment, and want to make a meaningful impact in a fast-growing business, we'd love to hear from you. We're looking for a dynamic and results-driven Regional Expansion Manager to join our team and play a key role in driving our growth across the region.

This is a unique opportunity to build a branch network from the ground up. You'll have significant autonomy, work directly with the senior leadership, and play a key role in shaping Bongo Credit's physical footprint across South Africa.

Regional Expansion Manager

(full-time, KwaZulu-Natal, 2 year contract)

Responsibilities

• Demographic & market analysis. Analyze population demographics, employment trends, competitor presence, customer behavior and economic activity to identify high-potential expansion opportunities.
• Site evaluation. Walk every candidate location on the region’s target list in person — assess street frontage, visibility, foot traffic, and proximity to taxi ranks, rail, or BRT stops — and recommend go / no-go against the property brief’s criteria.
• Pipeline ownership. Manage the region's site pipeline from shortlist through site visit, landlord negotiation, lease signature, and coordination of all branch opening activities through to handover and operational readiness. This includes working with landlords, contractors, signage, utilities, furniture, IT infrastructure, security, and the fit-out team to ensure new branches open on schedule, while keeping senior leadership updated on progress against the target site list.
• Lease negotiation. Negotiate commercial lease terms in line with company standard, securing external signage rights wherever possible.
• Market intelligence. Map where competitor micro-lenders already trade, and build a working knowledge of retail corridors, taxi ranks, and cash-retail anchors in the region.
• Landlord, agent & vendor management. Build, negotiate, and maintain strong relationships with landlords, letting agents, mall/centre management, contractors, shopfitters, security providers, cleaning companies, and other service providers involved in branch establishment across the region's priority nodes. Manage commercial negotiations, service delivery, and vendor performance to ensure the successful and timely establishment of new branches.
• Budget management. Manage the region’s property acquisition budget; negotiate rent and terms within approved parameters and escalate exceptions.
• Compliance & handover. Ensure all signed sites meet lease, municipal, and statutory compliance requirements by coordinating municipal signage approvals, NCR branch registration, and any other required permits for new branch openings. Prepare and hand over a complete site pack (including the lease, floor plans, photos, approvals, and utilities status) to the fit-out and operations teams to support a smooth transition to branch delivery.
• Reporting. Provide regular pipeline and market updates directly to the senior leadership, including recommendations on sequencing and any deviations from the scored priority list.

Requirements

• 3 to 5+ years’ experience in retail site selection, commercial property leasing, or branch network expansion — ideally in township, CBD, or high-street micro-retail environments.
• Demonstrated experience negotiating commercial leases and managing landlord relationships.
• Strong, current local knowledge of the assigned region — its townships, CBDs, taxi ranks, and retail corridors. Understanding of township, CBD and peri urban trading environments.
• Comfortable working independently and reporting into a remote senior leadership with minimal day-to-day supervision.
• Valid driver’s license and own reliable vehicle.
• You enjoy spending most of your time in the field, visiting potential locations, meeting landlords, and understanding local markets.
• Strong written reporting skills — able to turn site visits into clear, comparable recommendations.

You'll stand out if you have

• Direct experience with micro-lending, informal-economy financial services, or cash-retail branch rollout.
• Existing relationships with landlords, letting agents, or center managers active in taxi rank / CBD retail nodes.
• Familiarity with the competitive micro-lender landscape.
• Experience opening multiple sites against a target list and timeline, rather than a single-site search.

Why join us

• Join a business at the start of its South African growth journey.
• Play a key role in building a national branch network.
• Work directly with senior leadership.
• High levels of ownership and decision-making.
• Opportunity to grow into a regional leadership position as the network expands.

What we offer

• Shared Success, "We Win Together" – a culture built on collaboration, trust, and achieving ambitious goals together
• International exposure through collaboration with colleagues and markets across Europe and Africa
• Meaningful work that contributes to financial inclusion and creates positive impact in the communities we serve
• Opportunities to influence change, drive improvements, and see your contributions translate into real business results
• Continuous learning and tailored development opportunities to support your professional growth
• A diverse and inclusive workplace where different perspectives are valued and encouraged
• Modern employee benefits package, including health insurance, lunch allowance, special day-off package, paid mobile calls, and parking
• Flexible and supportive work environment that promotes a healthy work-life balance
• Competitive salary, complemented by result-oriented bonus opportunities

Application Question(s):

• What is your employment status?
• What is your current or most recent position held?
• What is your current or most recent monthly salary?
• What is your expected monthly gross salary?
• What makes you a good candidate for this position?
• What is your availability?
• Would you be interested in accepting a two year position?

Work Location: In person