Commercial Manager - ZA Marketplace

We are looking for a commercially-minded and analytically sharp Commercial Manager to help grow our Loans marketplace and deepen our partnerships across South Africa’s leading banks and lenders.

You’ll report into the Head of Commercial and play a pivotal role in shaping and executing the Loans vertical strategy, managing high-value partnerships, and owning the commercial performance of the vertical. You must be comfortable working cross-functionally with product, engineering, and marketing to drive forward initiatives that create value for both our nearly 7mn South African users and our lending partners.

This is a high-impact, high-ownership role within a small but ambitious team - one that operates like a start-up but is backed by a global brand serving nearly 27 million users. If you're energised by the intersection of data, partnerships, strategy and fintech innovation, and want direct accountability for revenue growth and commercial performance, this role is for you.

If you're looking for a structured role with a clear playbook and defined lanes, it isn't.

Key Responsibilities

• Own the commercial performance of the Loans vertical, including revenue growth and partnership performance of your lending partners
• Lead execution of the commercial strategy for the Loans vertical, with oversight from the Commercial Lead
• Build and maintain deep relationships with our lending partners covering South Africa’s biggest banks and fintech lenders - understanding their goals and challenges to unlock long-term value
• Negotiate commercial agreements with both new and existing partners, ensuring ClearScore captures appropriate value for the services we deliver
• Use internal and external data to identify opportunities, track performance, and forecast impact
• Lead initiatives to improve the user experience and partner outcomes of the Loans Marketplace, working closely with product, engineering and marketing
• Prioritise commercial initiatives based on expected value to users, partners, and ClearScore revenue

Requirements

Must-haves:

• 5+ years of experience in one or more of the following:
• Strategy consulting; or
• Fintech, consumer finance, banking, or B2B tech platform environments
• Demonstrated success in commercial or partner-facing roles - such as sales, account management, or business development, with direct ownership of revenue targets or commercial outcomes
• Strong commercial negotiation skills and the ability to manage senior stakeholders
• Strong proficiency using analysis, data platforms and Excel to extract insights, model outcomes, and support commercial decision-making
• Proven ability to operate autonomously – self-assessing and directing priorities, driving key outcomes and managing a partner portfolio independently.
• Strategic and entrepreneurial mindset with a passion for problem-solving and innovation

Nice-to-haves:

• Experience in a high-growth or tech-driven environment
• Exposure to product or platform-driven commercial models
• Direct exposure to Fintech or traditional lending sectors is a plus

Why ClearScore?

ClearScore is on a mission to make the world of personal finance clearer, calmer, and easier to understand. It starts with the free credit score and report but we're about to do so much more.

We want to take the complex financial decisions that people make in their lives and make them easier. We hold one of the biggest FinTech user bases in the world of over 22 million users but run ourselves like little start-ups. You're encouraged to challenge the status quo and fight for the better.

Since our launch in July 2015 in the UK we have expanded our product into South Africa in 2017, and Australia in 2020 and Canada in 2022. Our company culture is a fundamental part of all we have achieved. We believe in hiring smart, driven, passionate and diverse people who are keen on having a real impact in our organization.

We trust you to manage your own time, so we offer flexible work and no fixed desk hours. We don't micromanage and believe in measuring outcomes rather than effort. We have an inclusive culture where all, regardless of seniority, are encouraged to contribute with their ideas, look after their wellbeing and actively seek opportunities for career growth.

We also have a super-fast and friendly interview process, which is more like having a friendly discussion than being put under a microscope or pressure. We want to know the real you and if you'd be a great fit for us. 

Benefits:

• Holidays – 20 paid holidays (plus public holidays) and a “duvet day” on your birthday
• Pension Fund contribution over and above salary
• Private Medical Insurance
• Eye Tests
• Medial Aid Benefit - over and above salary
• Continued investment into learning and development 
• Flexible work hours and the ability to work from home
• Flexible, generous, and personalised maternity and paternity plans
• Monthly team events and office days out that we get to choose, and company events at the end of each quarter and retro
• Employee Assistance Program
• ClearScore Support Hub
• Perkbox

Equal Opportunities

ClearScore is committed to providing equal employment opportunities to all qualified individuals. As an equal opportunity employer, we are able to make reasonable adjustments to accommodate individuals with disabilities during the recruitment and selection process. If you require accommodation, please inform us in advance, and we will work with you to meet your needs.

• Levels 1-5: Minimum 2 days per week in-office
• Level 6 and above: Minimum 3 days per week in-office

• Flexibility to manage your work and life
• Dedicated in-office days for team building and collaborative projects
•  Office facilities (with plants!) designed for productive interactions
• Clear expectations and support for maintaining our hybrid schedule