Customer Account Manager (Consultant), Mifos Cloud Program (India)

Position Title:   Customer Account Manager (Consultant), India, Mifos Cloud Program
Status:  Long Term Consultancy (One year from date of appointment)
Location:  Bangalore, India
FLSA:    Exempt
Date:     April 2010

Grameen Foundation (http://www.grameenfoundation.org/) is a global non-profit organization that combines microfinance, technologies, and sustainable innovation to empower the world's poorest people to escape poverty. Founded in 1997, Grameen Foundation’s has worked with 50 MFIs in 20 countries.
Grameen Foundation’s Technology Center leads a Technology for Microfinance Initiative. At the foundation of this initiative is Mifos, an open source management information system that addresses one of the greatest technical barriers to the microfinance movement – access to flexible, cost-effective technology enabling microfinance institutions to scale. Ultimately Mifos aims to be a standard platform for the global microfinance industry, providing a proven, replicable approach that will dramatically increase outreach of financial services to the world's poor.

Mifos has been deployed successfully at MFIs worldwide in countries like India, Philippines, Tunisia, Lebanon and Kenya. Grameen Foundation is now launching Mifos Cloud, a hosted management information system. Such a product is particularly relevant to MFIs who want a scalable, proven solution without the technology burden of managing their own system.

Job Summary:  We are currently seeking an experienced customer account manager to launch the Mifos Cloud offering in India. This role will oversee the selling, customer discovery, product definition, implementation process, support and customer satisfaction. In addition to implementations in India, the customer account manager will help refine the strategy and plan for a worldwide roll out of Mifos Cloud. Reflective of most start-up environments, this is very much a hands-on position, with both high-level strategic and in-the-trenches tactical work required.
The ideal candidate should have a proven ability to translate customer needs into software specifications, a solid focus on customer-facing requirements, experience with software implementations, excellent communication and collaboration skills, and comfort operating independently with remote management.

Reporting and relationships:  This role will report to the Market Development Director located in Seattle, Washington. The engagement will be based in India with a minimum of a one year commitment.

Availability:  The Customer Account Manager will be expected to work a standard work week of 37.5 hours plus additional hours as necessary to get the job done.
Essential Job Functions:
• Gain understanding and report on market opportunity for Mifos Cloud in India
• Sell and obtain signed contracts with four MFIs for Mifos Cloud Service
• Lead the implementation of Mifos Cloud at four MFIs in India, refining the approach and tools with each engagement
• Lead the product discovery process with MFIs and help to define a market-ready offering
• Work closely with key stakeholders at each customer to secure contract, business alignment and referenceability
• Obtain customer feedback and document learning
• Work with in country technology specialist
• Collaborate with team to set a strategy and plan for a worldwide roll out

Required Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:
• Deep commitment to eradication of poverty and alignment with Grameen Foundation’s mission
• Demonstrated skills in gathering customer requirement and translating needs into a product offering
• Strong relationship management skills to build deep, learning relationships with key customers
•  Ability to execute software/SaaS implementation at customer site
• Proven experience in selling software solutions, specifically in India
• Proven ability to lead and succeed in a collaborative, startup-paced environment
• Exceptional communication and presentation skills – strong English language skills, knowledge of an Indian language a plus
• Creative problem solving and ability to execute as per planned deadlines
• Passion for the mission of Grameen Foundation and microfinance
• Willingness to live in India for a minimum of one year. Significant in country travel is required

Education and Experience:
• Advanced degree in computer science, business, or related field
• Minimum of seven years of previous experience selling/building/managing products or hosted services and client implementations, specifically in emerging markets

Physical and Environmental Conditions:
This position does not require unusual demands for physical effort. This position may occasionally require physical effort to lift and transport boxes weighing no more than 50 pounds.  Work environment involves everyday risks or discomforts that require normal safety precautions typical of places such as offices, meeting or training rooms, residences, or commercial vehicles; e.g., use of safe work place practices with office equipment, and/or avoidance of trips and falls, and observance of fire regulations and traffic signals.

Additional Comment:
The above job description is not intended as, nor should it be construed as, exhaustive of all responsibilities, skills, efforts, or working conditions associated with this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made in appropriate circumstances to enable qualified individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions of this job.

Interested candidates may apply by email to mduncan@grameenfoundation.org by March 22, 2010. Please put “Customer Account Manager, India” in the subject line.  No Calls Please.

NOTE: THIS IS NOT AN EMPLOYEE POSITION. AS A CONSULTANT YOU WILL NOT BE ENTITLED TO GRAMEEN FOUNDATION BENEFITS OR INSURANCES. YOU WILL BE SOLELY RESPONSIBLE FOR PAYMENT OF ALL REQUIRED FEDERAL, STATE AND LOCAL, SELF EMPLOYMENT TAXES AND OTHER SIMILAR TAXES AND FOR OBTAINING APPROPRIATE VISAS AND INSURANCES FOR THE COUNTRIES IN WHICH SERVICES ARE PROVIDED.