“Manager – Global Expansion”, Business Development

Launched in 1998, SKS Microfinance is one of the fastest growing microfinance institutions in the world and the largest in India, serving 1.8 million customers in poor regions of India with an outstanding loan portfolio of $220 million. It expects to grow to serve 5 million members by 2009. For more information on SKS, visit www.sksindia.com.

The SKS Business Development team develops and deploys new business opportunities to fuel the future growth of SKS. This role is a unique opportunity for the right candidate(s) to assume direct responsibility for the future growth and strategy of a microfinance industry leader as it seeks to expand the SKS model internationally.

Description:

The Manager – Global Expansion will assume primary responsibility for the development and execution of SKS’s international expansion strategy. SKS has identified China and Sri Lanka as short-term priorities, but SKS hopes to expand to other nations over time. The Manager will be expected to:

• Research, analyze and prioritize expansion opportunities, with particular focus on demand characteristics, competition, potential partners and regulatory factors
• Establish and develop strategic partnerships in-country or define appropriate market entry strategies
• Prepare business plans and financial models for new markets
• Lead and manage in-country pilots and long-term program design, including structuring/regulatory work, process design, staffing and more
• Participate in broader SKS strategy projects on an as-needed basis 

• Passion for SKS’s mission of empowering the poor, and for finding market-based solutions to the pressing needs of India’s “bottom of the pyramid”
• Management degree and 5+ years professional experience in management consulting, marketing, finance, or a startup; advanced is strongly preferred, but not required
• Excellent academic record and demonstrated leadership, problem-solving skills, and ability to manage and execute complex projects
• Excellent interpersonal/communication skills and comfort working in diverse and varied environments
• Excellent analytical skills demonstrated through experience analyzing business problems and developing solutions
• Strong entrepreneurial spirit with dedication to turning ideas into reality through proactive thinking and creativity
• Facility with basic Excel financial modeling and presenting analysis in Power point
• Indian and/or Chinese work experience, knowledge of an Indian and/or Chinese language, and/or experience in microfinance are significant pluses, but not required 

Compensation and benefits commensurate with skills and experience, and highly competitive with comparable opportunities in social sector. To be considered, please send a resume and cover letter (maximum 2 pages) detailing your interest in the position to [email protected]. Please include “Manager – Global Expansion” in the subject heading of the email.