Chief Executive Officer

The Opportunity International Network is a leading global coalition of microfinance companies and banks dedicated to helping those in poverty transform their lives through the provision of microenterprise financial services. Its goal is to provide a sustainable bridge between the marginalized poor and opportunities for enterprise and income generation. Founded in 1971, today, Opportunity International provides loans to over 580,000 clients in 28 countries in Africa, the Asia Pacific Rim, Eastern Europe and Latin America.

Position Overview:

Opportunity International is seeking to recruit a Chief Executive Officer to manage Oportunidad Microfinanzas, located in Mexico.

Founded in 2002, Oportunidad Microfinanzas is a microfinance organization offering a range of financial services to Mexico's poor in a transformational and profitable manner.

Oportunidad Microfinanzas requires a CEO to provide these services and to deepen and strengthen the ability of the poorest of the working poor in Mexico to access those financial services that will enable them to achieve self-sufficiency and self-respect, learn to contribute to their community and lead a life that reflects Christian values.

Responsibilities:

• Develop a range of financial services to meet the needs of Mexico's poor;
• Develop innovative technology and delivery mechanisms;
• Develop an institution with appropriate organizational structure, institutional capacity, systems and infrastructure;
• Ensure financial viability by managing through to profitability;
• Develop a strategy for national growth and expansion, meeting goals and targets of reaching 15,000 clients in 5 years;
• Train, mentor and otherwise develop a strong cadre of professionals which reflect the OI culture and best practices in all of their activities;
• Guide and oversee the creation and legal registration of a formal financial institution that can take deposits and savings;
• Work closely with the Board of Directors, OI Investment Service, and OI Network to realize Oportunidad Microfinanzas vision;
• Take advantage of any local sources of funding.

Qualifications:

• Commitment to the OI Network mission, corporate values, and Christian motivation as expressed in the ability to incorporate the mission and values in the work area;
• A bachelor degree in any of the numerate business related subjects;
• Master's degree or greater in business or finance is desirable;
• Group lending experience is highly desirable;
• Minimum 10 years overall relevant work experience, a minimum 5 of which should have been board or senior management position in a similar financial services company. Ideally, in a microfinance organization;
• General knowledge of a wide range of microbanking products and services;
• Ability to read, write and converse in English and Spanish is required;
• Respect for, and appreciation of, the Mexican culture is highly desirable;
• Exceptional oral and written communication skills with the ability to communicate clearly and persuasively, interpret documents, understand procedures, write reports and correspondence, and speak clearly to third parties and employees;
• Ability to meet reporting expectations of the Board, investors, and statutory bodies;
• Excellent and advanced critical conceptual or decision-making skills;
• Strong leadership and team building skill and experience with the ability to develop and maintain a Management Team;
• Strong relationship building and diplomatic interpersonal skills with sensitivity to the emotional, attitudinal and political aspects of the corporate life;
• Ability to delegate effectively amongst teams and show commitment to the long-term development of the Management Team through coaching, mentoring and creation of development opportunities;
• Excellent organization, delegation, performance management, administration, analytical, influencing, negotiation, and time management skills;
• Strong leadership qualities with the ability to set and communicate vision and strategy.

To Apply:

Interested candidates can send their applications to James Frantz by email.