Vice President, Strategy and Operations

About Tala

Tala is on a mission to unleash the economic power of the Global Majority – the 4 billion people overlooked by existing financial systems. With nearly half a billion dollars raised from equity and debt, we are serving millions of customers across three continents. Tala has been named by the Fortune Impact 20 list, CNBC’s Disruptor 50 five years in a row, CNBC’s World's Top Fintech Company, Forbes’ Fintech 50 list for eight years running, and Chief's The New Era of Leadership Award. We are expanding across product offerings, countries and crypto and are looking for people who have an entrepreneurial spirit and are passionate about our mission.

By creating a unique platform that enables lending and other financial services around the globe, people in emerging markets are able to start and expand small businesses, manage day-to-day needs, and pursue their financial goals with confidence. Currently, over nine million people across Kenya, the Philippines, Mexico, and India have used Tala products. Due to our global team, we have a remote-first approach, and also have offices in Santa Monica, CA (HQ); Nairobi, Kenya; Mexico City, Mexico; Manila, the Philippines; and Bangalore, India.

Most Talazens join us because they connect with our mission. If you are energized by the impact you can make at Tala, we’d love to hear from you!

We are looking for a VP of Strategy & Operations who is interested in helping to solve one of the world's largest problems: financial inclusion. 4+ billion people worldwide are underestimated and hence underserved around the world. You will help us realize the vision of providing financial access, choice, and control for people everywhere via defining the long-term strategy of the company and building scalable operations that support our growing global customer base in an efficient, high-quality, and cost-effective manner.

This position will report to the Chief Operating Officer.

• Strategic Planning & Execution:
• Drive the annual strategic planning process, facilitating executive alignment to define key priorities, such as market expansion and new product launches.
• Translate strategic goals into actionable operational plans with clear timelines, resource allocation, and success metrics. For example, partner with the leadership team to develop a detailed plan to enter a new market, including product requirements, go-to-market strategy, regulatory considerations, and operational build-out. 
• Analyze market trends, competitive landscape, and internal performance data to identify opportunities and risks, recommending adjustments to the strategic plan as needed.
• Design, implement, and continuously improve ways of working across teams to streamline information sharing and decision-making.
• Facilitate and monitor key performance indicators (KPIs) across teams.

• Cross-Functional Collaboration:
• Foster strong relationships with leaders across all departments to ensure alignment and collaboration on strategic initiatives.
• Lead cross-functional teams to execute complex projects.
• Establish clear communication channels and reporting mechanisms to ensure transparency and effective information flow across the organization. 
• Partner with key functions to ensure alignment on strategic initiatives and operational efficiency. For example, collaborate with Finance to develop robust financial models and reporting to support strategic decision-making.

• Team Leadership & Development:
• Build and manage a high-performing team of strategy and operations professionals, providing clear goals, performance expectations, and regular feedback.
• Foster a culture of collaboration, accountability, and continuous learning within the team.
• Identify and mentor high-potential employees, providing opportunities for professional growth and development.

• Bachelor's degree in Business Administration, Operations Management, or a related field; MBA preferred.
• 15+ years of progressive experience in strategy, operations, management consulting, or a related field, with at least 5 years in a senior leadership role.
• Demonstrated experience leading and scaling organizations through periods of rapid growth or significant transformation. 
• Proven track record of developing and executing successful operational strategies that have resulted in measurable business outcomes, such as increased revenue, market share growth, or cost reduction. 
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills, with the ability to analyze complex data, identify trends, and develop data-driven recommendations. For example, experience using data analytics to optimize pricing strategies.
• Excellent communication, interpersonal, and presentation skills, with the ability to effectively communicate complex ideas to diverse audiences, build consensus, and influence stakeholders at all levels, including C-suite executives and board members. 
• Demonstrated ability to build and lead high-performing teams, foster a positive and collaborative work environment, and mentor and develop team members.
• Experience handling complex financial data and supporting strategic financial decisions. 

Our vision is to build a new financial ecosystem where everyone can participate on equal footing and access the tools they need to be financially healthy. We strongly believe that inclusion fosters innovation and we’re proud to have a diverse global team that represents a multitude of backgrounds, cultures, and experience. We hire talented people regardless of race, religion, color, national origin, gender, gender expression, sexual orientation, age, marital status, veteran status, or disability status.