CPO - Entrepreneur in Residence

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 problems Build rapid prototypes and MVPs to test hypotheses, implementing lean startup methodologies to validate product-market fit Establish continuous feedback loops with users, creating systems for ongoing product improvement based on real usage data Product Development & Delivery

Own the entire product development lifecycle from ideation through launch, working closely with engineering and design teams Write detailed product requirements, user stories, and acceptance criteria that clearly communicate product intent Lead agile development processes, managing sprints, backlogs, and releases while maintaining high quality standards Cross-functional Leadership

Partner with engineering to ensure technical feasibility while pushing boundaries of what’s possible Collaborate with marketing and sales to develop go-to-market strategies and positioning that resonates with target users Work with finance to model unit economics and ensure product decisions support sustainable business growth Data-Driven Optimization

Implement comprehensive analytics and tracking to understand user behavior and product performance Design and run A / B tests, experiments, and feature flags to optimize conversion, engagement, and retention Use quantitative and qualitative data to make informed product decisions and priority trade-offs Essential 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 adoption Experience with the complete product lifecycle including discovery, definition, development, launch, and iteration Hands-on experience with product development tools including prototyping software, analytics platforms, and project management systems Demonstrated success leading product teams

and managing product development processes in fast-paced environments Experience defining product strategy, creating roadmaps, and making difficult prioritization decisions Track record of building products that achieve both user satisfaction and business objectives Technical Depth

Strong technical background with ability to engage deeply with engineering teams on architecture and implementation Understanding of modern software development practices including APIs, microservices, and cloud architectures Ability to evaluate technical trade-offs and their impact on product capabilities and user experience User-Centered Design

Deep commitment to user-centered design

with experience conducting user research and translating insights into products Strong understanding of UX principles, interaction design, and information architecture Experience with design thinking methodologies and human-centered design processes Understanding of business models, monetization strategies, and how product decisions impact revenue and profitability Experience with pricing strategies, feature packaging, and value proposition development Ability to balance user needs with commercial requirements Strategic Product Thinking

Ability to identify market opportunities and translate them into differentiated product strategies Systems thinking approach to product development, understanding how individual features contribute to overall experience Long-term vision balanced with pragmatic short-term execution Analytical & Data-Driven

Strong analytical skills with ability to interpret complex data and derive actionable insights Experience with product analytics tools and methodologies for measuring success Hypothesis-driven approach to product development with rigorous testing and validation Exceptional communication skills with ability to articulate product vision to diverse stakeholders Strong visual communication skills including wireframing, flow diagrams, and presentation design Collaborative approach to working with cross-functional teams Customer Empathy

Deep empathy for users with genuine curiosity about their problems and needs Ability to advocate for users while balancing business constraints Experience building products for diverse user segments with varying needs Strong project management skills with ability to drive multiple initiatives simultaneously Detail-oriented approach ensuring nothing falls through the cracks Bias for action with ability to move quickly from idea to implementation Preferred Qualifications

Previous CPO or VP Product experience in a fintech startup that achieved product-market fit Technical background with computer science degree or engineering experience Experience building financial products including payments, lending, or banking applications Understanding of financial regulations and compliance requirements for consumer products Knowledge of MENA market dynamics and user behavior patterns Arabic language skills for conducting local user research Published thought leadership on product management or fintech innovation Experience with both B2C and B2B products in financial services Track record of building products that scaled to millions of users Previous founder experience or early employee at successful startups What 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.

#J-18808-Ljbffr