VP, Global Strategy & Operations - 6 month FTC

OUR PURPOSE [https://docs.google.com/drawings/u/0/d/1F__QX3fHW9rJV5zkkQ9FRnfrx_UbBZFZsQa_m3ZBV8Ooq_1oiUtsqe43KcUOETawqkK_N_4ZSLyWoJ4UxecCF6xguoahL39mwY-eNAK309Yx0R9anHQo2w/image?w=46&h=2&rev=1&drawingRevisionAccessToken=svvf4UhomygaYw&ac=1&fmt=svg&parent=1m9J_faDUh09zdr7MqOnSLSra4UI8O_5ZdSNNtaGeJpo] At Xero, we’re here to supercharge small businesses. By making small business more efficient every day, connecting them with big business technology and empowering a community behind them, their potential is limitless. When that happens, we’re not only helping small business, we’ll be building a stronger economy that can change the world. Location [https://docs.google.com/drawings/u/0/d/1-vgOyGsLoTAQajtdxjo_GXfS6HjH9BNmJshuu3LSKULrMIlny-Lpbg9PwpDUc-V7XV2v0wp8Ln2rRVByho2TzNki_fvF9t8Me9e7sUTrin7y_s_5Kvs_jQ/image?w=46&h=2&rev=1&drawingRevisionAccessToken=ocnjMHKpZI5jOQ&ac=1&fmt=svg&parent=1m9J_faDUh09zdr7MqOnSLSra4UI8O_5ZdSNNtaGeJpo] This role can be based in either of these locations: - San Mateo, California, USA (Hybrid) - Australia, Melbourne, Sydney (Hybrid) THE ROLE [https://docs.google.com/drawings/u/0/d/1Y0W12lY7vFV3F87_R6vVpBsGo0uXwwgAwTTsBfujVrb2SEduEJx1tf5vO77znTwoFh8CF5ZGxqo-ghiWPLqgH3c6bktMeHTCkCRrIg_CVTGoRLPgNfmBbw/image?w=46&h=2&rev=1&drawingRevisionAccessToken=UmavY1r1cghHhQ&ac=1&fmt=svg&parent=1m9J_faDUh09zdr7MqOnSLSra4UI8O_5ZdSNNtaGeJpo] Xero’s Strategy & Operations team partners across the company to shape long-term direction, drive critical decision-making, and ensure alignment with our mission - then translate strategy into execution by enabling teams with insights, processes, and operational excellence to deliver impact at scale. We’re hiring a 6 month fixed term VP, Global Strategy & Operations to help accelerate Xero’s next phase of transformation and growth. This role is ideal for a high-horsepower operator and strategist who thrives in ambiguity, moves quickly, and can turn complex problems into structured action. You’ll partner closely with senior leaders across the business and lead a small team to drive strategic initiatives, operational execution, enterprise transformation programs, and planning rhythms that improve focus, alignment, and business performance. WHAT YOU’LL DO [https://docs.google.com/drawings/u/0/d/11Mu9_di7YUQ64p-HLaiH6W0_5mzi9zGE-GBJaPa3NPJZndhanK9zZjw0MtbmXyEyWNESFob8B-Jz1xmox_678FwSr4dV5k1lV7gBfwgJGXCYA4hQAOlJZA/image?w=46&h=2&rev=1&drawingRevisionAccessToken=0M4-h0-GaocGiA&ac=1&fmt=svg&parent=1m9J_faDUh09zdr7MqOnSLSra4UI8O_5ZdSNNtaGeJpo] In this role, you will: - Own a key workstream within our enterprise transformation efforts – including operational improvements and AI-enabled workflow transformations – ensuring that design decisions thoughtfully connect business outcomes with the employee experience. - Collaborate with senior leaders throughout the lifecycle of change initiatives, from shaping design principles and operational models to hands-on implementation and adoption. - Partner with leaders to assess organisational health, identifying opportunities to refine structures, clarify accountability, streamline decision-making and improve cross-functional ways of working. - Drive high-impact problem solving: structure ambiguous business issues, evaluate trade-offs, and develop data-driven recommendations for executive decision-making. - Operate effectively in fast-moving environments where priorities evolve quickly and leaders must balance short-term execution with long-term thinking. WHAT YOU’LL BRING [https://docs.google.com/drawings/u/0/d/17LwMQgxvvQ8BxTOSr0hs69EdOphAogk1soomDqkvACIqzZIWClF9xFZgP5b9t3QWA5210LTMPelbWXAKSmBoX0_UDPboipcorNd80ArgoJvho130RfBgFg/image?w=46&h=2&rev=1&drawingRevisionAccessToken=jmnn7bBLAp1ZjA&ac=1&fmt=svg&parent=1m9J_faDUh09zdr7MqOnSLSra4UI8O_5ZdSNNtaGeJpo] We’re looking for a strategic operator who combines strong analytical thinking, with practical execution capability and mature judgement. Required capabilities - Experience supporting enterprise transformation, operating model redesign, AI enablement, or large-scale business change - Significant experience in strategy, operations, transformation, consulting, business management, or related leadership roles within a global technology or SaaS environment. - Proven ability to design and lead complex cross-functional org design and transformational projects - Highly logical and structured thinker and communicator: crisp framing, clear storylines, and strong prioritisation. - Strong commercial and financial acumen; comfortable evaluating trade-offs, investments, operating performance, and business impact. - Proven ability to influence senior executives and align diverse stakeholders in complex environments. - Ability to operate at both strategic altitude and execution depth — comfortable in executive discussions and close to the work where needed to drive outcomes. - Combines strong strategic and analytical capability with operational rigor and a bias for action. The leadership style that will win here - High drive with calm execution: brings energy and urgency while creating clarity in ambiguous environments. - Structured and pragmatic: balances strategic thinking with operational follow-through. - Collaborative influencer: builds trust quickly and works effectively across teams without relying on hierarchy. - Curious and adaptable: learns fast, asks thoughtful questions, and adjusts approach as the business evolves. - Team-oriented leader: raises the bar for quality, execution, and partnership across the organization. WHY XERO [https://docs.google.com/drawings/u/0/d/1DiGpQRqgSu4kWTVpIemoXf_2uT_V3qDjbtUxFmDmWbnN3cJyEi2IR2YTrRBT7sZw65iKak9IUkfCsQFvBn7WtbH3N0ClpwyULYyfliIokuryPiyfTQqs_A/image?w=46&h=2&rev=1&drawingRevisionAccessToken=eO_2fE3pBu7C3w&ac=1&fmt=svg&parent=1m9J_faDUh09zdr7MqOnSLSra4UI8O_5ZdSNNtaGeJpo] At Xero, Strategy and Operations plays a unique role in connecting the business — shaping direction, designing the operating system that helps teams execute, and enabling impact at scale. If you love complexity, pace, and building foundations that help a global company grow, this is a rare seat at the centre of the system.