Country Manager - Nigeria

About Us:
Founded in 2018, headquartered in Johannesburg, and backed by leading investors including Pantera Capital, Coinbase Ventures and Fidelity’s F-Prime Capital, VALR is a global crypto exchange offering a comprehensive suite of products—including Spot Trading, Spot Margin, Perpetual Futures, Staking, Lending, Borrowing, OTC services, VALR Invest, Crypto Bundles, and VALR Pay. Licensed by South Africa’s FSCA, with regulatory approval in Europe, VALR serves over 1.7 million registered users and 2,000 corporate and institutional clients worldwide. The exchange is dedicated to advancing a just financial future that upholds human dignity and the unity of mankind. For more information, visit valr.com.

Our Vision:
To establish VALR as a global institution that advances the economic life of human civilisation through a borderless, inclusive, and empowering financial ecosystem.

Our Mission:
To contribute towards a global financial system that upholds justice, fosters human dignity, and reflects the oneness of humanity, by serving the financial needs of individuals, communities, and institutions through innovative financial technologies.

Responsibilities

• Lead VALR’s market entry and business operations in Nigeria, in line with the broader group strategy.
• Ensure regulatory compliance and maintain strong relationships with the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) and other relevant regulatory authorities.
• Build and manage a local Nigerian team to deliver operational, compliance, and commercial outcomes.
• Develop and execute a local growth strategy covering user acquisition, strategic partnerships, and product localisation for the Nigerian market.
• Manage Nigeria’s P&L, budgets, and financial performance to support sustainable growth.
• Build and maintain partnerships with banks, payment providers, fintechs, and other key local institutions.
• Represent VALR externally with regulators, partners, media, and industry stakeholders, including at relevant industry events.
• Collaborate with global teams across Compliance, Product, Legal, and Marketing to align local execution with VALR’s global standards and strategy.
• Monitor Nigerian market trends, competitor activity, and regulatory developments to identify risks, opportunities, and areas for growth.

Requirements

• Minimum of 8 years’ experience in financial services, fintech, payments, or crypto, with at least 3 years in a senior leadership role.
• Strong knowledge of the Nigerian financial and regulatory environment, including payments, AML/KYC, and relevant Central Bank of Nigeria regulations.
• Proven experience managing Profit and Loss and driving commercial growth within a regulated market.
• Established relationships with regulators, banks, payment providers, and key ecosystem partners in Nigeria.
• Experience building teams and operational structures from the ground up, with the ability to establish and scale local operations.
• Excellent communication, leadership, and stakeholder management skills, with the ability to represent VALR effectively in the Nigerian market.
• Bachelor’s degree in Business, Finance, Economics, Law, or a related field; a postgraduate qualification is an advantage.
• Fluency in English is required; proficiency in relevant local languages is an advantage.
• Demonstrated alignment with VALR’s values of humility, integrity, and continuous improvement.
• The role requires permanent residence in Nigeria to ensure strong, continuous engagement with the local market.

Benefits

• Innovative Work Environment
  • Engage with the latest blockchain technologies and tools in a rapidly evolving industry.
  • Work from anywhere with secure, stable internet connectivity, allowing you to create your ideal workspace.
• Career Development
  • Benefit from an annual professional development allowance alongside scheduled company training sessions to keep you at the forefront of the crypto industry.
• Competitive Compensation
  • Competitive salaries that align with industry standards.
  • When you contribute to our success, you’ll be rewarded with discretionary bonuses, recognising your impact on VALR’s growth.
  • Receive preferential Tier 5 trading fees on VALR, with no monthly trading volume required.
• Diversity and Inclusion
  • A commitment to fostering a diverse workforce with initiatives that promote equity and belonging.
• Wellness
  • Employees are encouraged to strive for coherent and wholesome lives, fulfilling their work, personal, social, physical and spiritual goals to the best of their abilities.
  • Compliance with statutory leave required by individual countries, in addition to flexible leave options.
  • Enjoy lunch on us when working from our Johannesburg Head Office, one of the ways we support wellbeing and connection in the workplace.
• Impact and Contribution
  • At VALR, we believe in a financial system that recognises the oneness of humanity. Our mission is to break down financial barriers and promote universal values of courage, ethical integrity, and the intrinsic worth of every individual.
  • Engage in initiatives that promote education and awareness about cryptocurrencies, ensuring that everyone has the tools and knowledge to participate in the evolving financial landscape.
• Dynamic Team Culture
  • Open communication and teamwork across departments, fostering innovation and creativity.
  • Enjoy social gatherings outside of work to strengthen team bonds and boost morale.
• Global Exposure
  • Work with colleagues from around the world.
  • Exposure to diverse perspectives and practices in the crypto space.
• Recognition and Rewards
  • Regular acknowledgement of employee accomplishments, fostering a culture of appreciation and motivation.
  • Join us for retreats that blend professional development with team bonding in inspiring locations.
• Tools for Success
  • Receive a Mac laptop and a discretionary allowance to purchase all the extras needed for a productive home office—yours to keep after three years (terms and conditions apply).

Originally posted on Himalayas