Senior Manager, Strategy & Operations – Women's Economic Empowerment

Job Title: Senior Manager Strategy & Operations Womens Economic Empowerment (WEE)
Location: Bengaluru
Experience: 10 to 12 years
Salary:22 - 25 LPA

We are looking for a highly driven entrepreneurial and strategically minded Senior Manager Strategy & Operations to work closely with the Vice President Womens Economic Empowerment as a strategic thought partner and execution partner. This is a high-ownership role that will help the VP translate the WEE vision into clear priorities strategic initiatives operating plans partnerships funding opportunities and measurable outcomes. The role sits at the intersection of strategy problem-solving portfolio management business development and execution. You will be expected to bring structure to ambiguous problems develop a strong point of view support critical decisions and ensure priorities move from idea to action. Candidates who have founded co-founded built scaled or operated a business/startup worked in a high-growth environment or recently exited an entrepreneurial venture are strongly encouraged to apply. Note: As the WEE portfolio grows this role has the potential to evolve into a Chief of Stafftype role to the VP.

1. Strategy & Strategic Problem Solving (30%)
-Work closely with the VP to define and refine strategic priorities for the WEE portfolio.
-Identify important problems opportunities and gaps across the WEE ecosystem; develop structured approaches to address them.
-Conduct market sector ecosystem and business analysis to inform strategic decisions.
-Develop business cases strategic frameworks models and recommendations for new initiatives.
-Evaluate potential programs partnerships business models and areas for investment or scale.
-Bring an entrepreneurial and commercially informed perspective to WEE strategy while remaining grounded in ground realities.
Independently own high-priority strategic questions from problem definition through recommendation and action.

2. Portfolio Management & Operating Excellence (20%)
- Translate WEE strategy into clear annual quarterly and short-term priorities milestones and ownership.
- Establish and manage an effective operating rhythm across the portfolio including regular reviews and leadership updates.
- Track progress across programs strategic initiatives partnerships budgets funding opportunities and key outcomes.
-Develop concise dashboards and management information to support decision-making.
- Identify risks dependencies and bottlenecks requiring leadership intervention.
-Strengthen systems and processes that improve accountability coordination and execution.

3. Strategic Initiatives & Special Projects (20%)
-Take end-to-end ownership of high-priority strategic initiatives identified by the VP.
-Lead cross-functional projects requiring coordination across teams partners and external stakeholders.
-Develop new initiatives from concept through validation pilot implementation and scale.
-Conduct rapid research stakeholder consultations market assessments and financial/operational analysis.
- Step into areas where there is no clear owner and create structure clarity and momentum.

4. Funder Acquisition Partnerships & External Engagement (15%)
-Identify and pursue new funding opportunities aligned with the organizations WEE strategy.
- Research and map potential funders philanthropic institutions businesses investors and strategic partners.
- Support the development of funding propositions concept notes proposals business cases pitch decks and donor presentations.
- Help shape the narrative theory of change outcomes value proposition and scale potential for new WEE initiatives.
- Prepare the VP for funder and partner conversations through briefing notes key messages data points and stakeholder profiles.
- Represent or support the representation of the WEE portfolio at external conferences forums and roundtables.

5. Data Insights & Knowledge (10%)
- Analyze program market financial and ecosystem data to identify trends opportunities and risks.
-Bring together quantitative data qualitative insights partner feedback and field realities for strategic decision-making.
- Develop concise decision papers briefing notes dashboards and analytical inputs for leadership.
- Support the development of case studies learning products and thought leadership to build institutional knowledge.

6. Executive Support & Strategic Communication (5%)
- Synthesize complex information into clear decisions messages and strategic narratives for the VP.
- Prepare the VP for internal leadership discussions board or governance forums and funder meetings.
- Develop high-quality presentations briefing documents talking points and strategic communication materials.
- Ensure important decisions translate into clear communication and action across relevant teams.

• Preferred: Postgraduate degree in Management Business Administration Economics Development Studies Public Policy Social Sciences or a related field.
• Exceptional candidates with strong entrepreneurial strategy or business-building track records will be considered regardless of formal degree background.
• 1012 yearsof relevant experience in strategy operations consulting entrepreneurship business building program management or social impact.
• Demonstrated experience independently owning complex projects strategic initiatives or portfolios.
• Experience in fast-paced entrepreneurial high-growth or ambiguous environments.
• Entrepreneurial Background: Candidates who have founded co-founded built scaled or operated a business/startup (or recently exited one) are strongly encouraged to apply.
• Experience working closely with senior leadership on strategy business planning fundraising or portfolio management is a strong advantage.
• Domain Depth : Proven track record working with women entrepreneurs producer collectives (FPOs/SHGs) market linkages or inclusive supply chains.
• Stakeholder Management : Demonstrated success working directly with government officials corporate leaders philanthropic entities and grassroots institutions.
• Team Leadership: Direct experience hiring managing coaching and developing high-performing teams.
• Regular travel to project locations (including rural and semi-urban areas across India) is essential.
  The role requires spending meaningful time in the field to:

Core Competencies & Traits

• Strategic & Problem-Solving Capability: Ability to structure ambiguous problems distinguish symptoms from root causes build logical frameworks ($Problem rightarrow Hypothesis rightarrow Learning rightarrow Recommendation rightarrow Action$) and make decisions with incomplete information.
• Entrepreneurial Mindset: A builders mindset; comfortable operating without a predefined playbook taking ownership beyond formal responsibilities and moving quickly from ideas to experiments.
• Executive Partnership: Strong executive presence maturity discretion and ability to act as a trusted thought partner while maintaining independent judgment.
• Communication & Stakeholder Management: Excellent written/verbal communication skills with the ability to simplify complex ideas for leadership funders and field partners.