India's WhatsApp call: country to have a dedicated head for the first time

Given the latest development on the official WhatsApp website yesterday, it can be inferred that WhatsApp is finally looking to solidify and formalise its turf in the country, which constitutes almost a seventh of its total user base. Two new postings have cropped up on the website – seeking an India head, as well as a communications manager – confirming that WhatsApp might be formally expanding operations to India.

This move makes even more sense as India, after all, is all set to be one of its key markets, being the first country where WhatsApp is rolling out its wallets and e-payments journey, thus taking players like Paytm by the horns. WhatsApp’s parent organisation, Facebook, already has offices in India, at Hyderabad and Mumbai.

Amongst the two listings posted by the messaging major, one is an apex role, namely - India head – that is up for grabs, targeted at professionals with over 15 years of experience; the other, a middle-management level opening, is that of a communications manager who will act as WhatsApp’s liaison with the Indian media. The two openings are based out of Mumbai and Gurgaon respectively. The India head will report to the COO in California, Matthew Idema.

On its website, for the country head position, WhatsApp stated:

This is a senior leadership position that requires product experience as well as a track record of success leading partnerships and business development in India. This leader will need to build a close partnership with product and engineering teams to influence direction and to effectively represent WhatsApp’s long term strategy.

Check the listing on their site, here.

For the role of 'Communications Manager, India', the company stated that it is looking for someone who can develop and maintain deep relationships with the media and opinion makers across the country.

Check the listing on their site, here.