Education Financial Products, Senior Director

RESPONSIBILITIES include the following. Other duties may be assigned.

Strategic Leadership & Vision

• Set the strategic direction for education finance products aligned with Opportunity’s global education mission and impact goals. 
• Ensure alignment of education financial products with Opportunity’s broader education and financial inclusion strategy.

Develop Financial Technical Assistance Products

• Support financial institutions in building and expanding education finance portfolios by developing and enhancing EduFinance Technical Assistance products.
• Understand microfinance institutions' and banks' product development needs, and incorporate EduFinance Technical Assistance products into development.
• Develop typical outputs which include market research reports, product design, staff training materials, and social performance management tools. 
• Oversee the design, testing, and refinement of education financial products tailored to school proprietors, low-income families, and microfinance partners.
• Establish product performance metrics and monitor portfolio quality, client outcomes, and financial sustainability.

Promote Education Sector Lending

• Drive adoption of EduFinance Technical Assistance products by financial institutions across Africa, Asia, and Latin America.
• Identify and cultivate partnerships with financial institutions, fintechs, and school networks to scale education financial products.
• Negotiate and structure partnership agreements that ensure product integrity and alignment with Opportunity’s values.

Structure and Implement Blended Finance Solutions

• Design and execute blended finance mechanisms (e.g., interest buy-downs, loan guarantees), in collaboration with DFIs and impact investors, to unlock capital for impact-driven financial initiatives.

​​​Develop a Quality Assurance Framework

• Establish and oversee quality assurance controls to enhance financial products and market research, ensuring high standards for financial institution partners across Latin America, Africa, and Asia.

Foster Cross-Unit Collaboration

• Strengthen synergies across sub-business units, including Technical Assistance, Market Research & Products, Blended Finance & Funding, and Learning & Events, to ensure cohesive strategy execution.
• Manage budgets and resources for the Education Financial Products team, ensuring efficient delivery and donor accountability.
• Prepare donor reports, concept notes, and strategic updates related to product development, scale, and impact.
• Engage with external stakeholders, including donors, investors, and sector platforms, to advocate for education finance as a development tool.
• Represent Opportunity International at conferences, forums, and working groups focused on education and financial inclusion.

SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITY     

• Management responsibility for 22 staff members and consultants across Africa, Asia, Latin America, and Europe.

QUALIFICATIONS

• Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Business, Economics, Finance, or International Studies.
• At least 10 years of experience leading large, diverse teams across different time zones, languages, and cultural contexts.
• At least 7 years of experience in consulting or finance, with exposure to financial product development, market research, data analysis, and project coordination.
• Minimum of 5 years working within the microfinance or development finance sectors, including experience in low-income countries.
• Advanced proficiency in Microsoft Excel functions and data analysis.
• Strong commitment to Opportunity International's mission and core values, with an understanding of the organization’s impact and goals.

LANGUAGE

• Written and verbal fluency in English required.
• Fluency in French/Spanish is desirable.

TRAVEL REQUIREMENTS

• Up to 25% international travel required annually
• Must be able to travel with minimal notice and maximum flexibility
• Must be willing to travel independently and without escort or administrative planning support to developing nation contexts