Education Financial Products, Senior Director

The Education Financial Products, Senior Director will be responsible for the continuous development of our Education Financial Products suite and will assist with sales to financial institutions across Africa, Asia, and Latin America. This role supports financial institutions in developing financially sustainable education lending products. The Education Financial Products Director will oversee four sub-business units: Technical Assistance, Market Research & Products, Blended Finance & Funding, and Learning & Events. This role is based in London.

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

ABOUT OPPORTUNITY INTERNATIONAL
Opportunity International is a global non-profit that has been equipping people to build sustainable livelihoods and educate their children for 54 years. Opportunity provides 21 million families with innovative financial resources, training, and support to grow their small businesses and send their children to school. In 2024, Opportunity International and its partners helped fund 19,000 schools that reached 3.4 million children. We respond to Jesus Christ's call to love and serve people living in poverty. We seek to emulate the Good Samaritan, whose compassion crossed ethnic groups and religions. We serve all people regardless of religion, race, ethnicity, or gender. Discover more at opportunity.org or join the conversation on Facebook , LinkedIn , and Instagram .

CHILD PROTECTION COMMITMENT
Opportunity believes that all children have a right to protection from any form of abuse regardless of gender, culture, ethnicity, age, religion, sexual orientation, or ability. Opportunity operates in line with international best practices for child protection and recognizes its responsibility to ensure that all employees. This policy applies to anyone acting on behalf of Opportunity or is involved in its programs in any capacity. All employees are subject to background checks, which include criminal checks and sex offender list checks, as allowed by local law.