Senior Manager, Strategy & Operations

Xero; San Mateo (CA); Hybrid; USD 181,000 - 226,200; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Annual bonus

Equity (RSU)

Comprehensive benefits

PTO 21 days

Wellbeing leave

Xtra Leave

Volunteer day

Paid holidays

Parental leave

Job summary

Xero's Strategy & Operations team is seeking a Senior Manager to lead the company's internal AI transformation and deliver high-impact strategic programs across the business. You will bridge big-picture thinking with hands-on delivery.

Based in San Mateo with a hybrid in-office/remote model, you will scope opportunities, build business cases, and drive design and implementation across AI initiatives, coordinating with technical and non-technical stakeholders to keep momentum and ensure cohesive

Qualifications

• Experience at top-tier consulting firm highly preferred; or, comparable experience in strategy, operations, transformation, and/or related roles within a global technology or SaaS environment.
• You've led complex, multi stakeholder programs end to end, from problem definition through to delivery
• Structured, rigorous thinking comes naturally to you, and you can frame ambiguous problems into credible analyses and clear recommendations
• You bring a background in operating model and technology transformation, along with experience and/or aptitude in AI strategy or AI enabled ways of working
• You model an AI builder mindset for reimagining workflows, actively building your own AI fluency, and rapidly experimenting
• Strong financial and commercial acumen underpins how you build and interrogate business cases
• Your written and verbal communication is polished and precise, with deliverables that rarely need heavy editing
• You enjoy developing others, whether that's mentoring, giving candid feedback or building team capability

Responsibilities

• Leading strategic work streams supporting Xero's internal AI transformation, from scoping through to stabilization and adoption
• Translating AI ambitions into clear scope, requirements and delivery plans with measurable outcomes
• Structuring ambiguous business problems into sharp questions and well reasoned recommendations for senior audiences
• Building business cases and bringing commercial judgement to trade offs and investment decisions

Skills

Strategy consulting

Program management

AI strategy

Stakeholder management

Financial modeling

Cross-functional leadership

Effective communication

Job description

The role & impact

Xero's Strategy & Operations team partners across the business to shape long term direction, drive critical decision making and translate strategy into execution. We're looking for a Senior Manager, Strategy & Operations to lead Xero's internal AI transformation and deliver high impact strategic programs across the business - someone who moves comfortably between big picture thinking and hands on delivery.

As an individual contributor, you'll scope opportunities, build business cases and drive design and implementation across some of Xero's most consequential AI initiatives, connecting the dots between company wide efforts so they add up to something cohesive. You'll coordinate across technical and non-technical stakeholders, close alignment gaps, and keep momentum going - all while building the credibility and influence to get things done without relying on authority.

The team & how they connect

The team sits at the centre of how Xero plans and executes, designing the systems that help other teams do their best work. They partner closely with leaders across the business to structure ambiguous problems into clear recommendations, then stay close to delivery to make sure those recommendations land. It's a small, tight knit group that works collaboratively across functions.

Initially, the role will focus on

• Leading strategic work streams supporting Xero's internal AI transformation, from scoping through to stabilization and adoption
• Translating AI ambitions into clear scope, requirements and delivery plans with measurable outcomes
• Structuring ambiguous business problems into sharp questions and well reasoned recommendations for senior audiences
• Building business cases and bringing commercial judgement to trade offs and investment decisions

Where and how you can work

This role is based in San Mateo, California, working in a hybrid model that combines in office collaboration with the flexibility to work from home. Our boost days bring the team together in person for connection and collaborative work, with the rest of the week flexible to suit how you work best.

Here are some of the things we're looking for, for this role

• Experience at top-tier consulting firm highly preferred; or, comparable experience in strategy, operations, transformation, and/or related roles within a global technology or SaaS environment.
• You've led complex, multi stakeholder programs end to end, from problem definition through to delivery
• Structured, rigorous thinking comes naturally to you, and you can frame ambiguous problems into credible analyses and clear recommendations
• You bring a background in operating model and technology transformation, along with experience and/or aptitude in AI strategy or AI enabled ways of working
• You model an AI builder mindset for reimagining workflows, actively building your own AI fluency, and rapidly experimenting
• Strong financial and commercial acumen underpins how you build and interrogate business cases
• Your written and verbal communication is polished and precise, with deliverables that rarely need heavy editing
• You enjoy developing others, whether that's mentoring, giving candid feedback or building team capability

Apply even if your experience isn't a perfect match! At Xero, we hire based on your skills, passion, and the unique perspective you can bring to enhance our culture and team.

Compensation & Total Rewards

At Xero, we value the impact and skills you bring to the team. We don’t just hire for a role; we invest in people. We believe in a Total Package philosophy - which means your value isn't just a single number on a paycheck. While base salary is a core component, we look at your compensation through a holistic lens that includes equity, performance incentives, and world‑class benefits.

The expected base salary range for this role in:

• California: 181,000 - 226,200 USD

Individual pay is determined by various factors, including geography, level of experience, and the specific skills you bring to the role.

In addition to base pay, Xero’s roles are eligible for the following forms of variable compensation:

• Variable Pay: Permanent employees are eligible to participate in our annual bonus and equity (RSU) programs. You may also be eligible for performance‑based cash or equity (RSUs) incentives depending on your role level, and company performance.
• Comprehensive Benefits: Medical, dental, vision, 401(k) match, and 21 days PTO, 10 days of Wellbeing leave, 5 days of Xtra Leave, 1 volunteer day, 12 paid holidays, paid parental leave. Further information included on our Xero Perks page.

Xero uses AI to help screen applications based on job‑related qualifications. These tools assist our recruiters but do not make automated hiring decisions. A human recruiter reviews all candidates before any hiring action is taken.