About Pula
We are an insuretech firm that provides agriculture insurance design and execution services, specialising in index based insurance and are backed by top tier VC investors who have invested more than $25 million in the business. Since 2015 we have provided climate insurance to 15.4 million smallholder farmers, 41% of which were women across 19 markets in Africa and Asia who pay an average of $6.8 per season to insure their crops. So far we've unlocked over $2.22 billion of capital from local and international insurance markets for climate risks since we started in 2015 and paid out $40.8 million to our client farmers.
Pula is a fast-paced space, constantly adapting to new opportunities and challenges and we are made up of a high-performance, multi-cultural team. We expect our team to value performance, results and professionalism.
At Pula, our values are:
- Obsessed with results: We are responsible for our future and therefore we get things done!
- Connect the Dots: We continuously identify different customer needs & business problems and build solutions that deliver value.
- Have a Can do Attitude! We dare to do things differently to make things work.
- We have each others’ back: We look out for each other & we share high quality, timely feedback that makes us better.
Responsibilities:
Strategic Leadership
- Mentor and develop the finance function, setting a strategic department vision and scalable organizational model.
- Act as a strategic business partner to the CEO, Board of Directors, and senior leadership team at Pula.
- Evaluate financial performance against short-term & long-term operational goals, budgets, and forecasts.
- Identify growth opportunities and strategic partnerships to drive business expansion.
- Manage financial aspects of fundraising activities and evaluate potential mergers and acquisitions. (if needed)
Financial Budgeting, Planning & Analysis:
- Prepare and present monthly financial budgeting reports, analyzing profit and loss and cash flow projections.
- Conduct analysis of business initiatives, product launches, and new service offerings.
- Develop risk management strategies and ensure compliance with regulatory requirements.
- Explore new investment opportunities and provide recommendations on potential returns and risks.
- Develop systems to manage budgets vs Actuals and align on key performance indicators and key cost drivers.
Financial Management
- Manage cash flow planning process and ensure funds availability.
- Explore new investment opportunities and provide recommendations on potential
- returns and risks.
- Maintain outstanding banking relationships and strategic alliances with vendors and
- business partners.
- Build and utilize forward-looking models and activity-based analyses to providefinancial insight into the organization’s plans and operating budgets.
- Represent the company to banks, financial partners, institutions, public auditors, and
- officials.
- Remain current on audit best practices globally as well at country state, federal, and local laws.
- Work alongside business leaders to set up legal and financial compliance across all markets we operate in
Innovation and Technology Integration
- Champion the adoption of innovative financial tools and technologies to streamline processes and enhance efficiency.
- Collaborate with other departments to integrate financial systems and automate routine tasks.
- Stay abreast of emerging financial technologies and trends, evaluating their potential impact on business operations.
Stakeholder Engagement and Communication
- Serve as a key member of the senior leadership team, providing strategic financial guidance and insights.
- Cultivate strong relationships with investors, board members, internal and external stakeholders.
- Communicate financial performance and strategic initiatives effectively, translating complex financial concepts into actionable insights.
Sustainability and Impact
- Drive sustainability initiatives across financial operations, integrating environmental, social, and governance considerations.
- Lead the development and implementation of responsible investment strategies aligned with the organization's values and objectives.
- Measure and report on key performance indicators related to sustainability and impact.
Talent Development and Culture
- Develop a high-performing finance team through mentorship, coaching, and professional development opportunities.
- Foster a culture of innovation, accountability, and continuous improvement within the finance function.
- Recruit and retain top talent, ensuring alignment with the organization's values and strategic objectives.
Requirements:
- Education: Bachelor's or Master's degree in Finance, Accounting, or a related field. An MBA, CPA, CFA certification is preferred, demonstrating advanced knowledge and expertise in financial management.
- Experience: Minimum of 10 years of proven experience as a financial leader in a hyper-growth company environment. Candidates should have a track record of driving financial strategy and operational efficiency in dynamic and rapidly evolving organizations.
- Strategic Thinking: Strong strategic thinking skills, with the ability to assess market trends, identify growth opportunities, and develop innovative financial solutions. Candidates should demonstrate a proactive approach to problem-solving and decision-making in complex business environments.
- Analytical Skills: Exceptional analytical skills and proficiency in interpreting financial data and metrics. Candidates should be able to conduct in-depth financial analysis, forecast future trends, and provide strategic insights to support organizational objectives.
- Communication and Interpersonal Skills: Excellent communication and interpersonal skills are essential for this role. Candidates should be able to effectively communicate complex financial concepts to diverse stakeholders, including senior leadership, investors, and external partners.
- Financial Software Proficiency: Proficiency in financial software and emerging technologies is required. Candidates should have hands-on experience with financial management systems, data analytics tools, and reporting software to drive operational efficiency and informed decision-making.
- Leadership and Team Management: Proven leadership skills and the ability to mentor and develop a high-performing finance team. Candidates should have a collaborative leadership style, fostering a culture of innovation, accountability, and continuous improvement within the finance function.
- Adaptability and Resilience: Demonstrated ability to thrive in a fast-paced, dynamic environment characterized by rapid growth and change. Candidates should be adaptable and resilient, with the flexibility to navigate ambiguity and drive results in evolving business landscapes.
The Vice President of Finance/Head of Finance will play a critical role in driving financial strategy and operational excellence at Pula. If you are a dynamic finance leader with a strategic mindset and a passion for innovation, we encourage you to apply.
What Pula will bring to the table
- Growth potential: With an untapped market of 1.5 billion smallholders worldwide, on track to doubling the number of farmers insured in 2021 and Pula’s global leadership in Agriculture Insurance, our new staffers have a tremendous upside growth potential.
- Market Leader: Not only is the opportunity massive, but Pula is by far the market leader in it’s category with 11m farmers insured as of 2023.
- Solid: Pula has been funded by leading venture capital investors (Omidyar Network, ACCION, MercyCorps) and global philanthropic institutions (MasterCard Foundation, CGAP/World Bank as well as the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation). Pula closed a $6m series A funding in December 2020 in the right in the middle of the pandemic a clear testimony of the opportunity that Pula is going after.
- Respected: Winner of the Singapore FinTech Festival 2019, Winner of The InsureTech of the Award, Africa. Featured on TED talks, The New York Times, The Economist.
- Impact and creation: This is a high-impact role, that offers a unique opportunity to bring the company to the next level, whilst developing new strategies, approaches and ideas.
- Leadership: The founders & CEO foster a culture of transparency, respect, high performance, pragmatism, execution and personal development.
- Purpose: It is rare to find a professional opportunity that offers accelerated professional development and a life purpose. Pula is going through a second phase of accelerated growth that will naturally provide professional development, whilst contributing to the financial stability of small farmers in the emerging markets.
- Remuneration: Competitive base salary accordingly with seniority and experience, commission on closed sales and an employee share option plan that offers an attractive equity upside.
To learn more about Pula you can visit
- TED Talk: Crop Insurance, an Idea Worth Seeding
- New York Times: He Grew up on a Farm. Now, He Helps Protect Them
- The Economist: The Poor, Who Most Need Insurance, Are Least Likely to Have It
How to apply
Fill out the form below, and upload a resume in English.
Cover letters are optional. You can add one if there is any additional information you would like to share about your interest in Pula, the role or your experience. We review applications on a rolling basis.
Pula’s mission is to provide farmer resilience. To achieve this, we put our small holder farmers that use our services and the employees that provide them at the heart of everything we do. For that purpose, Pula was created to be an equal opportunity employer that celebrates diversity and is committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees.
