Vice President, Strategy & Operations

Role Overview

NerdWallet is seeking a strategic and operational leader to join as Vice President, Strategy & Operations for one of our high-growth verticals. This role is responsible for driving business performance, scaling operational capabilities, and leading strategic initiatives that create long-term impact. It's a highly visible leadership position that partners closely with executive stakeholders and cross-functional teams to optimize how we plan, operate, and grow the business.

The ideal candidate is a data-driven problem solver, systems thinker, and experienced operator who thrives in high-growth environments. You possess both strategic thinking ability and the executional rigor to operationalize complex initiatives. You have a proven track record of building high-performing teams, leading through influence, and creating scalable systems that enable business transformation.

Salary: $320K - $480K Employment Type: FullTime Location Type: Remote (U.S. based)

Key Responsibilities

Business Strategy and Performance Management

• Lead annual and quarterly business planning processes, including KPI development, financial forecasting, and performance reviews.
• Provide strategic insights and executive-level reporting on vertical performance, market trends, and competitive positioning.
• Collaborate with vertical General Managers and product leaders to shape strategic investments and guide business decisions.

Operational Excellence and Process Transformation

• Build and implement scalable operational systems, workflows, and governance structures that improve efficiency, reduce risk, and support revenue growth.
• Optimize core marketplace and broker operations through better forecasting, conversion tracking, lead funnel performance, and client success workflows.
• Leverage analytics to monitor and improve performance across customer experience, partner enablement, and revenue generation.

Strategic Initiative Leadership

• Identify, scope, and lead cross-functional strategic initiatives that unlock growth opportunities, improve operational efficiency, and enhance our competitive edge.
• Ensure initiatives are aligned with company priorities and executed effectively in partnership with Product, Revenue, Marketing, and Finance.

Team Leadership and Talent Development

• Hire, manage, and develop high-performing teams across strategy, operations, analytics, and business development.
• Foster a culture of execution, accountability, and continuous improvement, with a strong focus on data-informed decision making.
• Act as a key voice at the executive table, shaping the future of the vertical through thoughtful planning and strong collaboration.

Qualifications

Experience

• Minimum of 15 years of experience in operations, analytics, strategy, or revenue performance roles.
• At least 8 years of experience in senior leadership roles with direct responsibility for managing teams and driving strategic business outcomes.
• Strong understanding of sales analytics, CRM systems, and lead-to-close operations.
• Proven track record of leading strategic planning, managing large-scale operational transformations, and scaling business processes in growth environments.
• Deep experience in financial services, real estate, or a related industry with working knowledge of affiliate marketing or lead generation models.

Skills

• Advanced skills in SQL and fluency in data visualization and analytics tools such as Tableau or Looker.
• Familiarity with Python or R is a plus.
• Exceptional communication skills with the ability to influence senior stakeholders and align cross-functional teams.
• Ability to manage complex projects and deliver measurable outcomes in fast-paced environments.

Education

• Bachelor's degree in Business, Economics, Statistics, or a related analytical field is required.
• An advanced degree such as an MBA is preferred.