Operations Manager

gsma; Greater London; On-site; GBP 50,000 - 70,000; Full time

Job summary

GSMA's Mobile for Development team in London is seeking an Operations Manager for the Inclusive Digital Finance programme on a fixed term contract until Oct 2027. You will support planning, coordination and delivery of activities across a global portfolio.

The role requires hands-on operations expertise, financial management, governance and close collaboration with Finance, Compliance, HR and other teams. Hybrid working in London with cross-functional exposure and opportunities to drive

Qualifications

• Experience in operations and project management, ideally within donor-funded programmes.
• Strong organisational and planning skills to manage multiple workstreams.
• Experience supporting budgeting, forecasting and financial processes.
• Excellent attention to detail.
• Proven track record in tracking and reporting on project activities.
• Strong stakeholder management and collaboration across teams.
• Ability to work in a global, multi-location environment.

Responsibilities

• Provide all aspects of robust financial management, especially monthly forecasting.
• Manage the programme's procurement processes with internal and external suppliers.
• Lead programme planning to deliver commitments.
• Ensure effective project management processes, tools and governance.
• Identify risks, dependencies and opportunities, implementing mitigation.
• Improve programme tools, templates, trackers and repositories.
• Coordinate monthly, quarterly and annual programme reporting.
• Provide logistical support during GSMA event planning.
• Coordinate travel approvals, team meeting coordination and action tracking.
• Perform other duties as required by the Senior Operations Manager.

Skills

Operations management

Project management

Budgeting & forecasting

Stakeholder management

Organisational skills

Communication

Tools

MS Office

Project management tools

Job description

Department: Mobile for Development (M4D)

Team: Inclusive Digital Finance

Location: London (hybrid working)

Position type: Fixed Term Contract until October 2027

What the hiring manager says

"As an Operations Manager, you will play a key role in ensuring our Inclusive Digital Finance programme operates effectively and delivers lasting impact. Working across a diverse portfolio of activities, you will collaborate with colleagues from across the organisation, applying your expertise in programme and financial management as well as governance to drive successful outcomes."

Kate Zechner, Senior Operations Manager

About the Team

The Mobile for Development (M4D) team drives innovation in digital technology to reduce inequalities in our world. Singularly positioned at the intersection of the mobile ecosystem and the development sector, we stimulate digital innovation to deliver both sustainable business and large-scale socio-economic impact for the underserved.

The Inclusive Digital Finance (InDiFin) programme drives an inclusive digital finance ecosystem by mobilising providers, policymakers and partners to deliver market innovation and reform - closing the gap between financial access and genuine financial health for underserved populations. The vision of the programme is a world where everyone, regardless of who they are or where they live, can confidently manage daily needs, plan for the future and withstand financial shocks - contributing to more stable, equitable and prosperous societies.

The programme is supported by Visa as well as GSMA and its members.

About the Role

This is an exciting opportunity for an experienced operations professional with a passion for international development and the role of digital innovation in driving socio-economic impact for underserved populations.

You will work for the InDiFin programme as part of the Operations team, supporting the effective planning, coordination and delivery of programme activities.

The role reports to the Senior Operations Manager, who leads on operational management of the InDiFin team across delivery, reporting and business planning. You will work closely with programme teams and colleagues across the wider M4D department, including Finance, Compliance, Legal, HR, Marketing, and subject matter experts.

As an Operations Manager, you will be responsible for the following:

• Provide all aspects of robust financial management, especially in regard to monthly forecasting.


• Manage the programme's procurement processes with internal and external suppliers, in adherence with the GSMA as well as the GSMA Foundation's processes and within agreed tolerances.


• Lead the programme planning for the teams to successfully deliver on programme commitments, including internal and external deliverables.


• Ensure effective project management processes, tools and governance mechanisms are in place and consistently applied to support successful delivery.


• Support programme teams by identifying priorities, risks, dependencies, and opportunities, and proactively implementing mitigation measures and solutions.


• Own and continuously improve programme tools, templates, trackers, contact databases, and document repositories to support effective collaboration and knowledge management.


• Manage internal and external programme reporting on a monthly, quarterly and annual basis.


• Provide logistical support to M4D team during GSMA event planning.


• Coordinate key operational and administrative activities, including travel approvals and tracking, team meeting coordination, action tracking, and ad hoc support as required.


• Any other duties commensurate with level as requested by the Senior Operations Manager.

About You

This is a hands‑on role requiring a proactive, organised and self‑motivated individual who can manage competing priorities and work effectively both independently and as part of a team.

The ideal candidate will demonstrate the following skills and experience:

• Demonstrable operations and project management experience, ideally within donor-funded projects.


• Strong organisational and planning skills, with ability to manage multiple priorities across different workstreams.


• Experience supporting budgeting, forecasting and financial processes.


• Excellent attention to detail.


• Proven track record in tracking and reporting on project activities.


• Strong stakeholder management skills, including the ability to influence, collaborate across teams, and manage senior stakeholders.


• Flexibility and abilitytoadaptandrespondtochangingrequirementsandpriorities.


• Excellentcommunicationandinterpersonalskills.


• Abilitytoworkaspartofateam,supportingotherteammembersinabusyglobalenvironment, across severaldifferent geographic locations.


• Strong initiativeandownership,withtheabilitytodeliverworkautonomouslyandproactivelydrivetasksthroughtocompletion.


• ProficiencyusingMSOffice (e.g.Word,Excel,PowerPoint,Teams)andexperiencewithprojectorgrantma