Retention Manager

Our client is an established international iGaming and sports betting operator expanding its footprint in the South African market. With a newly formed Cape Town hub, they are investing in senior, commercially minded talent to build performance-driven teams that can compete at the top end of a highly regulated, fiercely competitive betting landscape.

This role exists because our client is serious about winning and retaining players in South Africa.

The Retention Manager role is central to that ambition.

This is not a maintenance role. You are not inheriting someone elses campaigns or recycling old playbooks. You will build, own, and evolve the retention strategy for South Africa — with full accountability for engagement, loyalty, and revenue outcomes.

The Opportunity

Retention is where profitability is won or lost in iGaming. This role gives you full ownership of how players are engaged, incentivised, and retained across Sportsbook and Casino products.

You will sit at the intersection of marketing, product, sportsbook, compliance, and customer support, translating data and insight into campaigns that drive measurable commercial results — while staying compliant in a regulated market.

If you enjoy combining creativity with commercial discipline, this role offers real scope to make your mark.

What Youll Be Responsible For

Retention Strategy & Ownership

• Define and execute the South African retention strategy, aligned to broader commercial objectives.

• Own the end-to-end promotions lifecycle — from planning and ideation through execution, optimisation, and reporting.

• Build and manage a structured bonus and promotions calendar, aligned to major sporting events, customer lifecycle stages, and business priorities.

Campaigns & Player Engagement

• Design, launch, and optimise multi-channel retention campaigns across Sportsbook and Casino.

• Apply deep knowledge of bonus mechanics, free bets, boosts, and incentives to maximise engagement and ROI.

• Ensure promotions enhance the player experience, not just short-term acquisition metrics.

• Segment customers intelligently to deliver personalised, lifecycle-driven communications.

Data, Insight & Optimisation

• Analyse campaign performance, customer behaviour, and revenue metrics to identify trends and opportunities.

• Translate data into clear insights and actionable improvements.

• Continuously test, refine, and optimise campaigns to improve DAU, retention rates, and Net Gaming Revenue.

• Work closely with analytics and performance teams to track outcomes and iterate quickly.

Execution & Delivery

• Own and manage the Sportsbook CMS, ensuring accurate setup, testing, and execution of promotions.

• Support product and promotion testing to ensure seamless customer journeys and minimise friction.

• React quickly to onsite, campaign, or customer issues, coordinating with internal teams to resolve them efficiently.

• Ensure all promotional activity is brand-consistent, compliant, and operationally sound.

Leadership & Collaboration

• Work cross-functionally with Marketing, Product, Sportsbook, Compliance, and Support teams.

• Mentor and support retention and promotions team members as the function scales.

• Contribute to building best practices, processes, and standards for retention marketing in the local market.

Skills, Knowledge & Experience

Essential Experience

• Proven experience in Retention, CRM, or Promotions within iGaming or sports betting.

• Strong understanding of bonus mechanics and promotional tools across Sportsbook and Casino products.

• Hands-on experience with retention platforms, campaign management tools, and Excel.

• Demonstrated ability to build segmentation, lifecycle, and personalisation strategies.

• Strong analytical capability with confidence interpreting performance data.

• Excellent written communication skills, particularly in drafting clear, compliant promotional T&Cs.

• High attention to detail and a strong compliance mindset.

Desirable Experience

• Experience launching or scaling retention strategies in a new or regulated market.

• Familiarity with South African betting customers and sporting behaviour.

• Prior experience mentoring or managing junior team members.

• Exposure to sportsbook or casino operations beyond marketing.

Why This Role Is Different

• You will own retention, not support it.

• Your work will directly impact revenue, player value, and long-term profitability.

• You will operate in a business that values commercial thinking and accountability.

• Youll help shape how an international operator wins in the South African market.

• Youll be part of building a high-performance Cape Town team from the ground up.

Whats on Offer

• Discretionary company performance bonus

• 21 days annual leave

• Collaborative office culture

• Long-term career progression in a growing international iGaming business

If you are a retention professional who wants ownership, challenge, and real commercial impact, this is an opportunity worth pursuing.