Strategy & Operations Manager

Client Hiring Alert - SMV Green Solutions

Job Location - Varanasi

About SMV Green Solutions

SMV Green Solutions is a Varanasi-based manufacturer of electric three-wheelers for last-mile transportation. Founded in 2015 by Banaras Hindu University alumnus Naveen Krishna, SMV combines vehicle manufacturing with end-to-end ownership support to make electric mobility more affordable and accessible. The company helps customers secure formal financing, insurance, vehicle registration and banking services. It also provides driver training, after-sales service and maintenance. This integrated model supports drivers who are often underserved by conventional lenders and dealership networks, enabling them to own an income-generating vehicle instead of relying on rentals. SMV operates across Uttar Pradesh and Madhya Pradesh and has helped more than 4,500 people become electric-vehicle owners, including over 150 women drivers. Its work is estimated to reduce carbon dioxide emissions by approximately 9,500 metric tonnes annually. SMV has received investment and institutional support from Schneider Electric, Elea, Artha Impact, Upaya Social Ventures and SAR Group, among others.

Learn more: www.smvgreen.com

The opportunity:

SMV Green Solutions is looking for a versatile professional to join the Founder's Office. This is a high-impact, high-visibility role designed for someone who can operate as an extension of the founder — someone capable of thinking at a strategic level while also rolling up their sleeves to execute across HR, business reporting, client proposals, investor communications, and strategic initiatives.

The ideal candidate will act as a trusted advisor and de facto spokesperson for the founder, working closely with the leadership team to ensure alignment, drive execution, and represent the founder's priorities across the organization. This role requires exceptional critical thinking, discretion, and the ability to navigate ambiguity while managing multiple high-stakes workstreams simultaneously.

Key Responsibilities:

Founder & Leadership Support

• Act as a strategic partner and sounding board to the founder, translating vision into actionable plans
• Represent the founder in internal meetings and discussions with leadership when required, ensuring consistent messaging and follow-through
• Serve as a liaison between the founder and leadership team, facilitating clear communication and alignment on priorities
• Track and drive follow-ups on key decisions and action items across departments

Business Strategy & Reporting

• Support the founder in shaping and refining business strategy, market positioning, and growth plans
• Prepare periodic business performance reports (MIS, dashboards, KPI trackers) for internal and external stakeholders
• Conduct research and analysis to support strategic decision-making (market trends, competitive landscape, new opportunities)
• Identify operational gaps and recommend process improvements
• Draft, structure, and refine business proposals, pitches, and client-facing documents
• Collaborate with sales/business teams to ensure proposals are aligned with client needs and company capabilities

Investor Relations & Presentations

• Prepare investor presentations, pitch decks, and briefing materials
• Support fundraising efforts including data room preparation, due diligence coordination, and investor communication
• Assist in crafting narratives around company performance, vision, and growth trajectory for external stakeholders

Cross-Functional Coordination

• Drive special projects and initiatives assigned directly by the founder, often ambiguous or cross-departmental in nature
• Support core HR activities including hiring coordination, onboarding, policy implementation, and employee engagement initiatives
• Ensure timely execution of priority initiatives by coordinating across teams (operations, finance, sales, HR)
• Assist in building organizational processes and culture-building initiatives as the company scales
• Maintain confidentiality and exercise sound judgment while handling sensitive business information

Qualifications and Experience:

• 7–10 years of overall experience, ideally with exposure to founder's office, chief of staff, strategy, consulting, or general management roles
• Prior experience in Electric Vehicle startup, high-growth company, or entrepreneurial environment preferred
• Experience working directly with founders, CXOs, or senior leadership is highly desirable
• Ability to think structurally, connect dots across functions, and drive decisions with limited information
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills; comfortable representing the founder and presenting to investors/clients
• Strong understanding of business fundamentals, P&L, and operational metrics
• Comfortable engaging with leadership, clients, investors, and employees with ease
• High degree of integrity and ability to handle confidential/sensitive information
• MBA or equivalent postgraduate qualification preferred (not mandatory for the right candidate with strong experience)