Head, Finance Operations & Data Analytics at Mastercard Foundation

Mastercard Foundation is a global foundation based across four hubs in Kigali, Rwanda, Nairobi, Kenya, Accra, Ghana and Toronto, Canada. Our programs promote financial inclusion and advance education and learning in Africa, primarily for young people, and in Canada for Indigenous youth. The Foundation was established in 2006 through the generosity of Mastercard when it became a public company. From inception, the Foundation was designed to be a separate entity and independent from Mastercard. Our policies, operations, and funding decisions are made by our President and Board of Directors.

The Foundation believes that youth employment is key to unlocking prosperity, both for youth and their societies. Enabling young women and men from disadvantaged communities to secure dignified and fulfilling work will ensure inclusive development and economic growth in Africa.

We are recruiting to fill the position below:

Job Title: Head, Finance Operations & Data Analytics

Job Requisition ID: JR-0000000614
Location: Nigeria
Job type: Full-time
 

The Opportunity

• Reporting to the Director, Program Finance, the Head of Finance Operations and Data Analytics leads finance planning, performance management, and operational excellence.
• The role drives a strong data analytics capability to support evidence-based decision-making, predictive insights, and continuous improvement, while overseeing high-impact projects and leading cross-functional transformation initiatives.

Responsibilities
Ways you can contribute:

• Establish and lead a high-performing data analytics function within Program Finance to deliver timely, actionable insights that inform strategic decisions, enhance performance and drive continuous improvement.
• Champion a data-driven culture by embedding analytics into financial management, planning, and operational processes across the organization.
• Develop and implement a comprehensive data analytics strategy for Program Finance that aligns with organizational priorities and integrates with enterprise-wide data initiatives.
• Design and oversee the creation of dashboards, predictive models, and performance metrics that provide real-time visibility into financial performance, resource allocation, and program efficiency.
• Partner with Finance, Program, and Operations leaders to translate data insights into strategic actions, ensuring that analytics directly inform planning, budgeting, and investment decisions.
• Establish data governance and quality assurance processes to ensure accuracy, integrity, and consistency of financial and operational data used for decision-making.
• Leverage advanced analytics techniques, such as scenario modeling, trend analysis, and predictive forecasting, to anticipate risks, identify opportunities, and improve financial agility.
• Develop a performance measurement framework that links financial results with program outcomes, supporting evidence-based evaluation of impact and value for money.
• Collaborate with Technology and Operations teams to define data architecture requirements, optimize reporting systems, and implement automation tools that enhance analytical capabilities.
• Build analytical capability within the Finance team by designing and delivering training, coaching, and knowledge-sharing initiatives to improve data literacy and insight generation skills.
• Communicate complex analytical findings clearly and effectively to senior stakeholders, providing concise narratives and visualizations that influence strategic and operational decisions.
• Continuously evaluate and evolve analytics tools and practices to stay at the forefront of emerging technologies, ensuring scalability and relevance as the organization grows.
• Promote ethical and responsible use of data and analytics, ensuring adherence to data privacy, confidentiality, and compliance standards.
• Collaborate with enterprise data governance bodies to define data standards, ensure consistency, and enable seamless data integration across functions.
• Explore and adopt emerging technologies such as AI and advanced predictive analytics to enhance financial and operational foresight.
• Establish partnerships with external experts, research institutions, or technology vendors to accelerate analytics innovation and capability development.
• Lead the optimization and transformation of finance operations, driving efficiency, scalability, and compliance.
• Champion process improvements, automation, and digital tools to strengthen service delivery and enable sustainable performance across the organization.
• Develop and implement data analytics frameworks to monitor operational performance, identify efficiency opportunities, and support automation and process optimization initiatives.
• Leverage advanced analytics tools and insights to improve forecasting accuracy, streamline workflows, and enhance decision-making within finance operations.
• Partner with the Program Operations & Planning (POP) function to deliver transformation programs that strengthen organizational capability and operational effectiveness.
• Collaborate with Operations teams to develop system roadmaps, evaluate and select automation tools, and coordinate implementation and continuous improvement.
• Design and standardize fit-for-purpose finance processes and tools that align with the Foundation’s strategic objectives and promote consistency across regions and functions.
• Apply robust risk management and control frameworks to ensure transformation initiatives adhere to organizational policies, procedures, and governance standards.
• Partner with the Finance Director to develop business cases and apply financial analytics to support strategic initiatives.
• Partner with the Finance Director to develop business cases and apply financial analytics to support strategic initiatives.
• Serve as a trusted advisor to the Finance Director, shaping strategic priorities, driving data-informed decisions, and ensuring effective execution of key initiatives.
• Develop and maintain KPI dashboards, predictive models, and performance metrics to enable real-time monitoring of financial and operational performance.
• Deliver insight-driven reporting by integrating historical results with forward-looking forecasts, conducting scenario and sensitivity analyses to inform planning and risk management.
• Use data visualization and analytical storytelling to communicate clear, actionable insights that guide resource allocation and strategic decision-making.
• Partner with Data Analytics to strengthen predictive capabilities, ensure data integrity, and continuously enhance reporting systems and governance processes.

Requirements

• Minimum of 15 years of relevant professional experience, including at least 5 years in a senior management or leadership role.
• Proven track record in senior financial roles within large, complex, and/or global organizations, with responsibility for significant budgets and financial oversight.
• Demonstrated experience in developing and implementing data analytics strategies and tools (e.g., PowerBI, Tableau, SQL, Python) to drive evidence-based decision-making and organizational performance.
• Proven ability to lead large-scale finance transformation and drive operational excellence.
• Strong financial acumen with deep understanding of finance operations, systems, and controls.
• Expertise in data analytics and visualization tools (e.g., Power BI, Tableau, SQL, Python/R) to translate datato actionable insights for strategic decision-making.
• Skilled in project management, strategic reporting, and evidence-based decision-making.
• Exceptional communicator and influencer, able to engage senior leaders and cross-functional teams.
• Strong collaborator and relationship builder who can establish trust, respect, and credibility to co-create solutions across a range of stakeholders.
• Demonstrated project and change management capability (Lean Six Sigma certification an asset).
• Commitment to continuous improvement, innovation, and capacity building.
• Experience in Transformation programs and Projects at a regional/global scale an added advantage.
• Culturally agile, values-driven leader with integrity, adaptability, and demonstrates a commitment to Mastercard Foundation’s values and vision.

Application Closing Date
25th February, 2026.

How to Apply
Interested and qualified candidates should:
Click here to apply online