Vice President, Innovation and SME Social Enterprise Development

Background

A US-based international development company with a solid track record focused on access to finance in emerging economies is seeking an entrepreneurial candidate with solid SME financial services expertise to build-out its line of business for financing of SME social enterprises in developing economies. 

The dearth of finance for traditional small and medium enterprises (SMEs) in developing countries is now well documented.  Less well documented is the large number of social enterprise SMEs (e.g. private and community schools and clinics in low income communities) that are engaged in providing social goods to their customers and the lack of access to finance that dramatically constrains their growth and success. The successful candidate will develop, test and implement a business strategy to unlock access to financial services for SME social enterprises.

Job purpose

The Vice President of Innovation and SME Social Enterprise Development will lead the initiative of the company to expand access to finance to small and medium enterprises, which provide social goods to emerging and developing economies. This new initiative exists to unlock finance to grow social SMEs in the areas of education, healthcare, environment, etc.  The initial primary focus will be on financing private schools in developing economies.

Duties and responsibilities

The Vice President of Innovation and SME Social Enterprise Development (“VP,” hereafter) will report directly to the President of the company. The company’s offices are located in Chicago. If the VP is not based in Chicago or cannot relocate, the VP will have a mandatory initial period of at least six months working directly with the based team.

As an integral part of the team, the VP’s primary responsibilities in the first year are:

• Develop business plan for financing of private/community schools targeted at low income populations and test feasibility
• Develop partnerships necessary for success
• Raise resources/funding/ investment necessary for testing and implementation
• Implement and scale social impact business on a sustainable basis.
   

Qualifications

Minimum Education Requirements:

Bachelor’s degree required, graduate degree strongly preferred.

Minimum Work Experience:

At least 20 years of relevant work experience with at least ten years in senior management position. Deep knowledge of banking/banking operations and/or SME finance in developing and emerging economies.

A Plus if the Candidate has:

• Proven success in building and implementing a business from the ground up
• Deep Sub-Saharan African and South Asian experience
• Expertise in social impact, impact investing and/or start ups
• Raised significant funds for high impact initiatives in developing economies

Required Characteristics:

• High energy talented individual with passion and commitment to tackling issues of global poverty
• Belief that SMEs are a critical part of the solution to poverty reduction in developing economies
• Outstanding written and verbal communication skills
• Excellent organizational and management skills. Ability to independently organize, prioritize and manage multiple projects and people in a fast-paced work environment
• Proven excellence in execution quality, setting and hitting targets, deadlines, and deliverables
• Team player
• Ability and willingness to engage in significant travel to emerging/developing economies

Remuneration Package:

Competitive and commensurate with experience

Application Process: 

To apply, please forward CV, cover letter, and references to vpsocialsme@gmail.comby Wednesday, 19 November 2014.