About Root Capital
Agriculture is the key to unlocking a better future for billions of people. But while rural families sustain the world, they struggle to sustain themselves. At the same time, they face increasingly urgent challenges, from volatile crop prices to extreme weather.
Root Capital is a social impact investor that provides financing and training to agricultural enterprises so that they can transform rural communities. We work with enterprises in the “missing middle” of agricultural finance: those whose credit needs are too big for microfinance and too small or risky for commercial banks.
Since 1999, we have loaned over $2B to more than 800 businesses and we have trained more than 1,800—improving the lives of 10 million people. As these agricultural businesses succeed and scale, they become engines of impact for their local communities, raising incomes, creating jobs, uplifting women and young people, preserving vulnerable ecosystems, and building rural prosperity.
Headquartered in Cambridge, Massachusetts, Root Capital has more than 180 employees operating in more than a dozen countries in Latin America, Africa, and Southeast Asia, and has associated offices in Costa Rica, Mexico, Nicaragua, Colombia, Peru, Ghana, and Kenya.
We are a community of unconventional problem solvers. We’re humanitarians and environmentalists, philanthropists and investors, farmers and feminists.
Our Mission
Our mission is to grow rural prosperity and build the resilience of farming families around the world.
Vision Statement
Our vision is thousands of rural businesses supporting a thriving agricultural sector.
Key Responsibilities
We are looking for a seasoned leader with an entrepreneurial spirit. Being the COO of Root is about more than making sure that all systems are going, teams are highly performing and performance metrics are met. We work in some of the most difficult places in the world, where uncertainty linked to climate, global commodity prices, trade flows and a multitude of other external factors affect our business models on a weekly basis. We need to adapt and switch gears often, listen to the communities and agri-businesses we serve to make sure we remain mission-specific, while we maintain a dialogue with donors to demonstrate the value added, social impact and catalytic effects of our model.
The Chief Operating Officer (COO) is responsible for overseeing a significant part of the day-to-day management of the organization, ensuring efficiency, productivity, and operational excellence across all the support/back-office functions to advance the organization’s mission. Collaborating closely with the Founder & CEO and other senior leaders including peers, the COO ensures a robust and efficient operational structure that supports the organizational vision and business model.
The COO is responsible for overseeing HR, Finance, IT, Legal and Risk Management teams in defining and implementing this structure, and drive continuous improvement based on internal insights and market feedback. Leading a talented team of 65 and reporting directly to the Founder & CEO, the COO plays a crucial role in empowering staff, while holding them accountable for achieving measurable outcomes.
Additional responsibilities of the COO include:
Operational Strategy & Leadership
- Develop, implement, and continuously refine operational strategies to align with and support overall business objectives.
- Contribute to shaping the future of Root as we enter a new phase (3-year plan) of strategic planning and growth.
- Oversee the HR, Finance, IT, Legal and Risk Management’s day-to-day operations to ensure efficient and effective functioning.
- Ensure alignment between business strategy and operations, driving efficiencies and fostering a culture of excellence.
Operational Excellence & Continuous Improvement
- Work closely with the CEO and Board to transform strategic goals into actionable plans.
- Lead initiatives to identify, analyze, and improve operational processes, ensuring cost efficiency, quality, and scalability.
- Establish best practices for workflow, automation, and productivity across all departments.
- Foster a culture of continuous improvement, encouraging teams to implement innovative solutions and optimize performance.
- Develop and implement modifications to Root’s organizational structure and operations as needed, ensuring the organization can swiftly and effectively adapt to evolving conditions, challenges, and opportunities.