Overview
1957 Ventures is seeking an exceptional Chief Product Officer (CPO) to join as an Entrepreneur in Residence and define the entire product vision for a new fintech venture from inception in the MENA region. This is a founding CPO role where you will own end-to-end product development from concept to launch, combining product strategy with hands-on execution. You will work at the intersection of user experience, technology, and business strategy, building products that solve real financial challenges for millions of users across the region. The position requires relocating to or being based in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, with regional travel as needed.
As CPO-EiR, you will personally conduct user research, create prototypes, define product roadmaps, and work closely with engineering to deliver exceptional products.
What We Offer : These positions offer the unique opportunity to build a category-defining fintech company with full functional autonomy, significant equity ownership, and the backing of a proven venture builder. You will have access to pre-committed funding, operational support, and a network of advisors while maintaining the independence to execute your vision. Join us in building the future of financial services in the MENA region.
Key Responsibilities
- Define the complete product vision and strategy from zero, identifying market opportunities and translating them into compelling product experiences
- Create and maintain product roadmaps that balance user needs, business objectives, and technical constraints while maintaining competitive advantage
- Establish product principles and design philosophy that guide all product decisions and create coherent user experiences
User Research & Validation
Conduct extensive user research including interviews, surveys, usability testing, and data analysis to deeply understand customer problemsBuild rapid prototypes and MVPs to test hypotheses, implementing lean startup methodologies to validate product-market fitEstablish continuous feedback loops with users, creating systems for ongoing product improvement based on real usage dataProduct Development & Delivery
Own the entire product development lifecycle from ideation through launch, working closely with engineering and design teamsWrite detailed product requirements, user stories, and acceptance criteria that clearly communicate product intentLead agile development processes, managing sprints, backlogs, and releases while maintaining high quality standardsCross-functional Leadership
Partner with engineering to ensure technical feasibility while pushing boundaries of what’s possibleCollaborate with marketing and sales to develop go-to-market strategies and positioning that resonates with target usersWork with finance to model unit economics and ensure product decisions support sustainable business growthData-Driven Optimization
Implement comprehensive analytics and tracking to understand user behavior and product performanceDesign and run A / B tests, experiments, and feature flags to optimize conversion, engagement, and retentionUse quantitative and qualitative data to make informed product decisions and priority trade-offsEssential Qualifications
End-to-End Product Delivery
Proven track record of taking products from concept to launch , including at least one product that achieved significant user adoptionExperience with the complete product lifecycle including discovery, definition, development, launch, and iterationHands-on experience with product development tools including prototyping software, analytics platforms, and project management systemsDemonstrated success leading product teams and managing product development processes in fast-paced environmentsExperience defining product strategy, creating roadmaps, and making difficult prioritization decisionsTrack record of building products that achieve both user satisfaction and business objectivesTechnical Depth
Strong technical background with ability to engage deeply with engineering teams on architecture and implementationUnderstanding of modern software development practices including APIs, microservices, and cloud architecturesAbility to evaluate technical trade-offs and their impact on product capabilities and user experienceUser-Centered Design
Deep commitment to user-centered design with experience conducting user research and translating insights into productsStrong understanding of UX principles, interaction design, and information architectureExperience with design thinking methodologies and human-centered design processesUnderstanding of business models, monetization strategies, and how product decisions impact revenue and profitabilityExperience with pricing strategies, feature packaging, and value proposition developmentAbility to balance user needs with commercial requirementsStrategic Product Thinking
Ability to identify market opportunities and translate them into differentiated product strategiesSystems thinking approach to product development, understanding how individual features contribute to overall experienceLong-term vision balanced with pragmatic short-term executionAnalytical & Data-Driven
Strong analytical skills with ability to interpret complex data and derive actionable insightsExperience with product analytics tools and methodologies for measuring successHypothesis-driven approach to product development with rigorous testing and validationExceptional communication skills with ability to articulate product vision to diverse stakeholdersStrong visual communication skills including wireframing, flow diagrams, and presentation designCollaborative approach to working with cross-functional teamsCustomer Empathy
Deep empathy for users with genuine curiosity about their problems and needsAbility to advocate for users while balancing business constraintsExperience building products for diverse user segments with varying needsStrong project management skills with ability to drive multiple initiatives simultaneouslyDetail-oriented approach ensuring nothing falls through the cracksBias for action with ability to move quickly from idea to implementationPreferred Qualifications
Previous CPO or VP Product experience in a fintech startup that achieved product-market fitTechnical background with computer science degree or engineering experienceExperience building financial products including payments, lending, or banking applicationsUnderstanding of financial regulations and compliance requirements for consumer productsKnowledge of MENA market dynamics and user behavior patternsArabic language skills for conducting local user researchPublished thought leadership on product management or fintech innovationExperience with both B2C and B2B products in financial servicesTrack record of building products that scaled to millions of usersPrevious founder experience or early employee at successful startupsWhat We’re Looking For
To apply, be prepared to relocate to Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, and participate in regional travel as needed. This role requires a hands-on leader who can drive product strategy and execution from inception to launch in a fast-moving fintech environment.
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