Thabo Khoele
Relationship Manager/Partnership Manager
Alberton
Summary
Experienced professional in relationship and partner management with a robust background in banking and fintech. Specializes in forming strategic partnerships that enhance revenue and operational efficiency. Track record of success in loyalty programs, e-commerce, and payment solutions, building relationships that yield substantial benefits. Skilled in stakeholder engagement and strategy execution for collective growth.
Overview
11
11
years of professional experience
Work History
Relationship manager
Payfast
10.2025 - Current
- - Role overview: Own the relationship management function; achieve agreed targets by developing new and nurturing existing professional relationships with merchants.
- - Profit and revenue management: Drive portfolio profitability, monitor performance, and execute growth initiatives.
- - Product management: Translate merchant needs into product opportunities; collaborate with product teams on enhancements.
- - Process management: Establish scalable workflows across the merchant lifecycle; ensure SLA adherence.
- - People management and personal development: Lead and mentor team members; set goals and support development plans.
- - Stakeholder management: Align with sales, product, operations, compliance; manage external merchant relationships.
Operations processing manager
Nedbank (Beyond Banking: Avo)
05.2021 - 09.2025
- - Process management: Ensure unit processes align with business requirements and are administered effectively.
- - SLA delivery: Manage processing activities within agreed timelines and parameters.
- - Stakeholder engagement: Build and maintain relationships with stakeholders, including regulators.
- - Partner strategy: Develop and maintain strategic relationships with partners and customers; collaborate with suppliers, buyers, business units, and merchandisers to plan product ranges.
Partner relationship manager
Nedbank (RBB Cluster)
10.2019 - 04.2021
- - Partner engagement: Manage partners within loyalty and rewards; oversee suppliers for e-commerce platforms.
- - Onboarding and retention: Identify, onboard, and retain commercial partners.
- - Value delivery: Collaborate with partners to drive client and partner value.
- - Cross-segment impact: Work across bank segments in competitive areas of transactional banking.
Partner growth manager
FNB (eBucks)
01.2017 - 09.2019
- - Relationship building: Maintain strong relationships with retail and online partners at all levels.
- - Internal alignment: Build relationships with business units across the bank.
- - Operational resolution: Act as escalation point for operational matters; serve as central contact.
- - Marketing collaboration: Partner with member experience teams to plan and execute initiatives that drive partner and customer value.
Retail and online partner administrator
FNB (eBucks)
01.2015 - 01.2017
- - Operational support: Coordinate and complete administrative functions for partnership and adjacent teams.
- - Process effectiveness: Build and maintain effective processes across the partnership team.
- - Cost optimization: Ensure cost-saving, efficient resource utilization, and optimized costs.
- - Relationship support: Build strong internal and external relationships to advance business objectives.
Education
BCOM - Marketing and Management Science
IMM Graduate School
Johannesburg12.2025
Diploma - Business Management and Entrepreneurship
College Campus (IIE)
Johannesburg11.2005
Certificate - Business Management (N4)
Southwestern Gauteng College
Johannesburg11.2003
Skills
Commercial insight and modeling Strategy for value creation Initiatives for sustainable growth
Initiative and problem-solving Accountability for results Focus on continuous improvement
Relationship management Communication with executives Influencing stakeholders Collaborative teamwork
Relationship management Retention and onboarding Portfolio development techniques
Operational strategy alignment Service level agreement management Process improvement
Microsoft Office skills
Leadership capabilities
Presentation analytics Excel expertise Data reporting
References
- Schael, Nefdt Burger, schael.nb@networknetwork.global, 082 3207, Payfast
- David, Fair, 074 561 1473, FNB
- Michelle, Greyling, michelleg@nedbank.co.za, 082 885 8645, Nedbank
Courses
- - Scotwork Negotiating — Scotwork (2018): Negotiation skills and training
- - Finance for Non-Financial Managers — Astrotech (2017): Financial concepts, pricing, budgeting, and financial statements
- - Retail Marketing and Merchandising — UNISA (2011): Consumer behavior concepts, application, and evaluation
Timeline
Relationship manager
Payfast
10.2025 - Current
Operations processing manager
Nedbank (Beyond Banking: Avo)
05.2021 - 09.2025
Partner relationship manager
Nedbank (RBB Cluster)
10.2019 - 04.2021
Partner growth manager
FNB (eBucks)
01.2017 - 09.2019
Retail and online partner administrator
FNB (eBucks)
01.2015 - 01.2017
BCOM - Marketing and Management Science
IMM Graduate School
Diploma - Business Management and Entrepreneurship
College Campus (IIE)
Certificate - Business Management (N4)
Southwestern Gauteng College