Principal – Product Strategy & Operations

Who Are We?

At Finastra, we are a dynamic global provider of open finance software solutions, dedicated to expanding access to financial services. Our innovative applications span Lending, Payments, Treasury and Capital Markets, and Universal Banking. Proudly serving over 8,000 customers, including 45 of the world's top 50 banks, we aim to boost financial inclusion for all. Join us and be part of a vibrant company that embraces diverse perspectives, and is committed to doing well by doing good.

Overview

This role is a strategic linchpin within the Lending Product organisation, designed to accelerate the business unit's growth and product strategic agenda. It directly supports the Senior Director of Product Strategy & Operations. This role is responsible for driving strategic clarity, operational excellence, and market responsiveness across the product organization and also advancing the AI agenda within Lending. It acts as a connective force between CPO, CTO, COO and CRO organization.

Key Responsibilities

1. Market Insights & External View Socialization

• Conduct research on market trends, competitive landscape, and customer needs relevant to the Lending space.
• Develop concise summaries and presentations to socialize external insights across the Product organization.
• Partner with internal teams (e.g., Market Intelligence, Central Strategy) to align external views with product strategy.

2. Product Partnerships & M&A Support

• Support the evaluation of potential product partnerships and acquisition opportunities.
• Assist in preparing strategic fit assessments, business cases, and build/buy/partner analyses.
• Collaborate with Corporate Development and Product teams to gather data and coordinate due diligence.

3. Strategic Cadence & Cross-Functional Coordination

• Help manage strategic planning cadences and interlocks within the Lending Product organization and with CRO, CTO, COO, and other key stakeholders.
• Coordinate meeting agendas, materials, and follow-ups to ensure alignment and progress tracking.
• Maintain documentation and timelines for strategic initiatives.

4. AI Strategy & Enablement

• Act as the central orchestrator for Lending's AI agenda across Product, Technology, and Sales.
• Drive alignment on AI priorities, use cases, and success metrics.
• Facilitate cross-functional collaboration to accelerate AI experimentation, adoption, and scaling.
• Ensure AI initiatives are integrated into broader product and business strategies.

5. Program & Performance Support

• Assist in tracking KPIs and progress against strategic initiatives within the Lending Product portfolio.
• Support the development of frameworks and templates for product planning and reporting.
• Help ensure consistency in documentation and communication across product teams.

Qualifications

Experience

• Bachelor's degree required, advanced degree a plus.
• 3+ years in management consulting, banking, product strategy, and/or corporate development.
• Experience in financial services or fintech preferred

Skills & Attributes

• Independent thinker with a proactive mindset and strong problem-solving drive.
• Comfortable working in ambiguous environments and navigating complex stakeholder landscapes.
• Strong analytical capabilities.
• Excellent written and verbal communication.
• High proficiency in PowerPoint; must be comfortable and enthusiastic about creating compelling, executive-ready presentations.
• Ability to drive a large scale project and manage multiple stakeholders and projects simultaneously.
• Familiarity with strategic frameworks and business case development.

We are proud to offer a range of incentives to our employees worldwide. These benefits are available to everyone, regardless of grade, and reflect the values we uphold:

Flexibility Enjoy unlimited vacation, based on your location and business priorities. Hybrid working arrangements, and inclusive policies such as paid time off for voting, bereavement, and sick leave.

Well-being Access confidential one-on-one therapy through our Employee Assistance Program, unlimited personalized coaching via our coaching app, and access to our Gather Groups for emotional and mental support.

Medical, life & disability insurance, retirement plan, lifestyle and other benefits*

ESG Benefit from paid time off for volunteering and donation matching.

DEI Participate in multiple DE&I groups for open involvement (e.g., Count Me In, Culture@Finastra, Proud@Finastra, Disabilities@Finastra, Women@Finastra).

Career Development Access online learning and accredited courses through our Skills & Career Navigator tool.

Recognition Be part of our global recognition program, Finastra Celebrates, and contribute to regular employee surveys to help shape Finastra and foster a culture where everyone is engaged and empowered to perform at their best.

*Specific benefits may vary by location.

At Finastra, each individual is unique, bringing their own ideas, thoughts, cultural beliefs, backgrounds, and experiences together. We learn from one another, embrace and celebrate our differences, and create an environment where everyone feels safe to be themselves.

Be unique, be exceptional, and help us make a difference at Finastra!