Job Description:

The Chief Strategy Officer (CSO) is a full-time, on-site leadership role based in Chennai/Mumbai. The role will be a key member of the leadership team and a strategic partner to the CEO, responsible for shaping, driving and facilitating the overall business strategy of the Company through the CEO Office.

In a high-growth organization, the role will operate at the intersection of strategy, business performance, investor engagement and enterprise execution. The incumbent will work closely with the CEO, Board, Investors and Business Leadership to translate the Company's long-term vision into actionable strategic priorities and ensure alignment and momentum across the organisation.

The CSO will bring exceptional strategic thinking, leadership presence and business judgement, with the ability to lead complex, high-stakes discussions and influence senior stakeholders across diverse perspectives.

We are looking for candidates primarily from:

- Consulting firms - KPMG, Boston Consulting Group (BCG), Deloitte, etc.

- General Insurance industry - candidates with relevant industry experience.

Key Responsibilities:

1. Investor and Board Engagement:

- Partner with the CEO and senior leadership in preparing for high-stakes discussions with Investors, the Board and other key stakeholders.

- Develop compelling strategic narratives around the Company's business model, growth strategy, market position and long-term value creation.

- Lead preparation of strategic materials, business updates and deep dives for Investors and the Board.

- Analyse investor perspectives, strategic expectations and key areas of focus to support effective engagement.

- Facilitate discussions on significant strategic decisions, growth investments, partnerships and business opportunities.

- Demonstrate exceptional executive presence and the ability to engage credibly with sophisticated and senior external stakeholders.

2. Enterprise Strategy and Strategic Planning:

- Partner with the CEO and Leadership Team to develop and continuously refine the Company's short-, medium- and long-term business strategy.

- Facilitate the annual and multi-year strategic planning process, ensuring alignment across business lines, functions and enterprise priorities.

- Translate strategic ambition into clearly articulated business priorities, initiatives, milestones and performance outcomes.

- Evaluate emerging market opportunities, competitive developments, customer trends and industry disruptions to inform strategic choices.

- Drive strategic scenario planning and assess potential risks and opportunities impacting the Company's growth trajectory.

- Challenge conventional thinking and bring an external perspective to strategic decision-making.

3. CEO Office and Enterprise Leadership:

- Lead the strategic agenda of the CEO Office and act as a key thought partner and extension of the CEO.

- Ensure effective preparation and follow-through on critical CEO-level decisions, strategic discussions and enterprise priorities.

- Facilitate alignment across the Leadership Team on complex cross-functional and enterprise-wide issues.

- Identify barriers to strategic execution and work with leaders to resolve critical dependencies and decision bottlenecks.

- Support the CEO in driving organisational focus, accountability and momentum on the Company's most important priorities.

- Lead and facilitate high-impact leadership forums, strategy discussions and enterprise reviews.

Key Leadership Capabilities:

- Exceptional leadership presence: Ability to influence and command credibility with senior business leaders, Investors and the Board.

- Enterprise mindset: Ability to rise above individual business or functional priorities and make decisions in the best interests of the Company.

- Strategic judgement: Ability to navigate ambiguity, evaluate competing priorities and make sound recommendations in high-stakes situations.

- Executive communication: Exceptional ability to articulate complex business issues with clarity, precision and conviction.

- Influence without authority: Ability to drive alignment and outcomes across senior stakeholders without relying solely on formal reporting relationships.

- Constructive challenge: Confidence to challenge established thinking and senior leaders while maintaining strong relationships and trust.

- Bias for execution: Ability to move from strategy and discussion to clear decisions, ownership and measurable outcomes.

Experience and Qualifications:

- 08 - 15 years of progressive leadership experience, preferably across strategy, business leadership, consulting, financial services or insurance.

- Significant exposure to General Insurance, Financial Services or a similarly complex and regulated industry would be strongly preferred.

- Demonstrated experience working directly with CEOs, Boards, Investors or other senior external stakeholders.

- Proven ability to lead enterprise-wide strategic initiatives in a high-growth or transformation environment.

- Experience managing complex, high-stakes discussions involving multiple stakeholders and competing interests.

- Strong understanding of business strategy, financial performance, growth and value creation.

- Experience in consulting, investment, corporate strategy, CEO Office or P&L leadership would be advantageous.

- Postgraduate qualification in Business, Finance, Strategy or a related discipline from a leading institution preferred.

Important information:

1. Notice period not more than 30 days.

2. Active fund-raising experience - Series A.

3. Strong Communication and presentability.

4. Willingness to relocate to Chennai.