Product Operations Lead

About Plaid

Plaid is building the infrastructure that helps people and businesses connect financial accounts to the apps and services they use. The company supports millions of users through thousands of developers and works with organizations such as Venmo, SoFi, several Fortune 500 companies, and many major banks. Its network spans 12,000 financial institutions across the US, Canada, the UK, and Europe. Founded in 2013, Plaid is headquartered in San Francisco and also has offices in New York, Washington D.C., London, and Amsterdam.

Role overview

As the founding Product Operations Lead, you will create and own the operational foundation for the Product organization. You will partner closely with Product, Engineering, Design, and Product Marketing to set up the systems, rhythms, and standards that enable consistent, high-quality execution. This role suits a hands-on builder who likes starting from first principles and shaping long-term strategy for the function.

Key responsibilities

• Take ownership of the product operating model used to plan, monitor, and communicate work, including roadmaps, planning materials, and execution tracking, in partnership with Engineering Operations.
• Set up and manage streamlined operating cadences such as planning cycles, product reviews, and execution check-ins.
• Increase transparency around priorities, progress, and decision-making across the product organization while avoiding unnecessary process.
• Own the PM tooling environment and improve the tools and workflows PMs use daily so the organization runs effectively.
• Spot opportunities where automation, AI/agents, and other emerging workflows can meaningfully improve product execution, then turn those ideas into adopted solutions.
• Work with Product leadership to strengthen a high-performing product culture through both virtual forums like Product All Hands and in-person events such as bi-annual Product Summits and onsites.
• Create systems that capture, organize, and share strong product work such as PRDs and key decisions so teams can learn faster and raise the overall quality bar.
• In the longer term, lead Product Manager onboarding and ongoing enablement so PMs ramp quickly and understand how strong product work is done at Plaid.

Requirements

• At least 8 years of experience in Product Operations, Program Management, or a closely related function.
• Background in fast-moving, product-led environments where excessive process is not welcome.
• Ability to think in systems and design operating models that scale without creating bureaucracy.
• Proven bias for action and a track record of independently driving work to completion.
• Comfort working through ambiguity and building processes or systems from scratch.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills with a clear, concise style.
• Solid product judgment and empathy for Product Managers and cross-functional partners.
• Previous technical exposure, or the curiosity to build a deep understanding of Plaid’s products.

Compensation and benefits

The compensation range for this role is $162K to $237K. Pay is determined by factors including scope, responsibilities, candidate experience, skills, and location. In addition to base pay, the role may include equity and/or commission depending on the offer. Plaid also offers a comprehensive benefits package with medical, dental, vision, and 401(k) coverage. Benefits and pay are subject to change in line with applicable compensation and benefit plans.

Equal opportunity and accommodations

Plaid is an equal opportunity employer and welcomes candidates from all backgrounds. The company does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, ethnicity, religion or belief, sex, pregnancy or related medical conditions, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, transgender status, age, military or veteran status, disability, or other protected characteristics. Plaid also considers qualified applicants with criminal histories in accordance with applicable laws. Reasonable accommodations are available for candidates with disabilities during the recruiting process; assistance can be requested at accommodations@plaid.com.

Application and candidate notice

Applicants are encouraged to apply even if their background does not match every qualification, as Plaid values a range of work and lived experiences. Please review the Candidate Privacy Notice as part of the application process.