Interim Product Manager (Go-to-Market & Commercialisation)
Fixed Term ContractJob Overview
Allied Talent Partners (ATP), a Three Cairns Group initiative, is a mission-driven, not-for-profit talent marketplace focused on solving the human capital bottlenecks slowing down sustainable development efforts in emerging economies, with an initial focus on Africa. ATP connects vetted, experienced, context-relevant professionals to high-impact opportunities in energy access and sustainable development – strengthening local capacity and fuelling economic vitality. We specialize in fixed-term, deliverable-driven engagements – from interim leadership and generalist projects to niche technical expertise – handling project scoping, talent vetting and matching, contracting, payroll, and compliance so that our clients can focus on impact.
High-Level Overview
Our client is seeking a Product Manager to lead the commercialisation and go-to-market strategy for an internally developed software and metering platform within a renewable energy company operating mini-grids across West Africa. The company has built a functional product tailored to its own operational needs and has early validation through initial sales, but has not yet formalised a scalable commercial offering. This role will focus on translating an internally built solution into a market-ready product at a time when there is a clear gap in the competitive landscape. The ideal candidate will bring strong experience in product commercialisation within B2B or SaaS environments, with the ability to define positioning, shape the product roadmap, and build internal capability alongside delivery. They will have a track record of taking early-stage, internally developed, or unstructured products and translating them into clear, market-ready offerings that customers understand and adopt.
Our client is seeking a Product Manager to lead the commercialisation and go-to-market strategy for an internally developed software and metering platform within a renewable energy company operating mini-grids across West Africa. The company has built a functional product tailored to its own operational needs and has early validation through initial sales, but has not yet formalised a scalable commercial offering. This role will focus on translating an internally built solution into a market-ready product at a time when there is a clear gap in the competitive landscape. The ideal candidate will bring strong experience in product commercialisation within B2B or SaaS environments, with the ability to define positioning, shape the product roadmap, and build internal capability alongside delivery. They will have a track record of taking early-stage, internally developed, or unstructured products and translating them into clear, market-ready offerings that customers understand and adopt.
Role and Responsibilities
Role: Interim Product Manager
Direct Report: CEO
Candidates Required: 1
Key Deliverables:
Direct Report: CEO
Candidates Required: 1
Key Deliverables:
- Define and execute the go-to-market strategy for the software and metering platform, including target customers, positioning, and pricing approach
- Translate the existing internally developed product into a structured, market-ready offering with clear value proposition and packaging
- Develop a prioritised product roadmap to transition the platform from internally optimised to externally scalable
- Engage directly with prospective customers to validate demand, refine the offering, and support early sales efforts
- Build capability within the current product lead through hands-on coaching in product management, commercialisation, and go-to-market practices
Requirements
Experience Required:
- Experience in product management, product marketing, or go-to-market roles within B2B software or SaaS environments
- Proven track record of commercialising early-stage, internally developed, or unstructured products into external market offerings
- Experience taking products from initial or imperfect states to first commercial traction, including defining value proposition, packaging, and early customer adoption
- Experience engaging directly with customers to shape product-market fit and refine commercial strategy
- Experience operating in growth-stage or resource-constrained environments
- Experience mentoring or developing junior product or commercial team members
Technical Requirements:
- Ability to assess product readiness and identify required improvements for external deployment
- Strong understanding of SaaS business models, pricing strategies, and customer segmentation
- Capability to translate technical product features into commercially compelling propositions
- Ability to define practical product roadmaps balancing speed-to-market with product robustness
- Comfort working closely with technical teams while maintaining a commercial lens
Other Skills:
- Entrepreneurial and execution-focused, with a strong bias toward action
- Comfortable operating in ambiguity and building structure from loosely defined starting points
- Strong communication and coaching ability, with a collaborative and non-disruptive approach
- Ability to balance delivery with capability building without slowing momentum
- Adaptable and pragmatic in fast-moving environments
Working Arrangement
Location: Hybrid
Language: English; French not required but a plus
Travel: Periodic travel to Sierra Leone or Benin as required to engage with product teams and support market rollout
Terms of agreement: TBD
Start Date: TBD
Contracting Period: TBD
Location: Hybrid
Language: English; French not required but a plus
Travel: Periodic travel to Sierra Leone or Benin as required to engage with product teams and support market rollout
Terms of agreement: TBD
Start Date: TBD
Contracting Period: TBD