Principal Specialist: Strategic Portfolios

Johannesburg, South AfricaFull-timeSeniorOn-sitePosted 26 Oct 2026

Job Overview

Discovery Health is appointing a Principal Specialist: Strategic Portfolios (a Senior Manager: Strategic Initiatives role within the Strategy function) at 1 Discovery Place, Sandton (posted 24 October 2026). The Senior Manager owns and drives delivery of defined strategic initiatives end to end – from concept through build, launch and scale – with accountability for turning strategy into working solutions that deliver measurable business and customer outcomes.

This is a hands-on, execution-led role: shaping value propositions for members, providers and partners; owning features, journeys and requirements with product, technology and business teams; designing and implementing commercial models, pricing, incentives and partnership structures; and preparing SteerCo and governance materials for senior decision-making. The incumbent also leads partner onboarding and enablement, works with marketing and communications on launch readiness, equips sales and distribution teams, and hands solutions over into operations.

Key Responsibilities

• Shape and build value propositions for members, providers and partners

• Own development of features, journeys and requirements with product, tech and business teams

• Lead hands-on research and analysis: member insights, provider feedback and market scanning

• Translate insight into delivery-ready specs, journeys, prioritised backlogs and decision papers

• Drive testing, validation and regulatory readiness ahead of launch

• Design and execute commercial models, pricing, incentives and partnership structures with commercial and finance teams

• Drive delivery from concept through build, launch and BAU; manage roadmaps, milestones, dependencies and risks

• Prepare and own SteerCo and governance materials for senior decision-making

• Lead partner onboarding and enablement; equip sales and distribution with tools, FAQs and playbooks

Required Qualifications

• Honours degree in Actuarial Science, Business, Commerce, Management, Healthcare, Finance or related field

• Master’s, MBA or PhD advantageous

• Minimum 6 years’ relevant work experience, including 4+ years in a management position

• Product design, development, marketing or management experience in financial services, consulting or healthcare advantageous

• Experience in healthcare provision advantageous

Skills & Requirements

Strategic InitiativesValue Proposition DesignProduct ManagementCommercial ModellingPricing & IncentivesPartnership StructuringProgramme DeliveryRoadmap ManagementStakeholder ManagementHealthcare EcosystemSteerCo GovernanceMarket Research