Country Manager – Zimbabwe

Versatile Staffing Solutions is supporting an established sports betting and gaming operator with the appointment of an experienced Country Manager to lead its Zimbabwe business.

This is a senior, hands-on leadership position with full accountability for the country operation, including commercial performance, P&L, retail locations, online growth, customer experience, compliance and local stakeholder relationships.

The successful candidate will combine strategic leadership with strong operational execution and a detailed understanding of regulated African gaming markets.

Key responsibilities

Commercial and financial leadership

• Take full ownership of the Zimbabwe P&L.
• Deliver agreed targets across turnover, GGR, NGR, margin, active players and profitability.
• Translate the annual country plan into measurable commercial and operational priorities.
• Manage expenditure across premises, payroll, marketing, suppliers and operations.
• Analyse performance data and implement corrective action where required.
• Provide Group leadership with regular updates on performance, risks and opportunities.

Retail operations

• Lead the performance of the retail betting network.
• Oversee branch openings, relocations, closures, layouts, staffing and trading hours.
• Improve branch performance through clear KPIs, incentives and regular site visits.
• Maintain effective controls around cash handling, floats, reconciliation and loss prevention.
• Manage the in-shop product portfolio across sportsbook, virtuals, slots and betting terminals.

Online growth and customer experience

• Work with Group Marketing and CRM teams to improve acquisition, activation and retention.
• Use local customer insight to inform promotions, pricing, market selection and product decisions.
• Manage relationships with mobile-money providers and banking partners.
• Ensure deposits and withdrawals remain reliable and efficient.
• Work with central teams to address fraud, bonus abuse and duplicate accounts.
• Maintain a consistent customer experience across retail and online channels.

Regulatory and compliance

• Act as the principal contact for the gaming regulator, revenue authority and other relevant officials.
• Ensure licences, renewals, regulatory returns and audits remain current.
• Maintain effective AML, KYC and responsible-gambling standards.
• Oversee tax and gaming-levy submissions alongside the local finance function.
• Ensure the business operates in accordance with local regulations and Group policies.

People leadership

• Recruit, lead and develop the local management and operational teams.
• Manage employees across branch operations, finance, marketing, customer support and administration.
• Set clear performance expectations and maintain accountability.
• Build a culture based on integrity, commercial performance and customer service.
• Address performance and conduct issues confidently and consistently.

Partnerships and market development

• Manage local agencies, sponsorships and brand activations within agreed budgets.
• Build productive relationships with media, sporting organisations, commercial partners and VIP customers.
• Monitor competitor activity and changes in customer behaviour.
• Identify opportunities to increase revenue, market share and operational efficiency.

Essential experience

• At least seven years’ experience within sports betting or iGaming.
• A minimum of three years in Country Management, General Management or comparable senior leadership.
• Direct experience managing both retail betting locations and online gaming operations.
• Proven responsibility for a country or business-unit P&L.
• A track record of delivering revenue, margin and cost targets.
• Experience operating within a regulated African gaming market.
• Strong understanding of mobile money, cash controls, payment operations and reconciliation.
• Knowledge of fraud prevention, AML, KYC and responsible-gambling requirements.
• Experience leading at least 50 employees across multiple locations.
• Ability to interpret GGR, NGR, margin and player-performance data and turn it into action.
• Strong commercial judgement, leadership and stakeholder-management skills.

Desirable experience

• Direct experience within Zimbabwe or neighbouring Southern African markets.
• An established network across the local gaming, payments or regulatory landscape.
• Sportsbook trading or risk-management experience.
• Experience launching, scaling or turning around a betting operation.
• A degree in Business, Finance or a related discipline.

Package

A competitive senior-level package is available, potentially including:

• Relocation and settling-in assistance.
• Accommodation support.
• Vehicle allowance.
• Performance-related incentives.

Any relocation support will be subject to the candidate already holding the appropriate right to work in Zimbabwe. Visa sponsorship is not currently confirmed.