Professional Overview
Gokul Mani is a seasoned strategy and operations leader with extensive experience driving growth and optimization across the technology and hospitality sectors. As the Head of Strategy & Operations (India) at Spotify, he is responsible for developing and executing strategic initiatives to support the company's expansion and operations within the Indian market.
Experience Summary
Current Role
As Head of Strategy & Operations (India) at Spotify since May 2022, Gokul is instrumental in shaping the company's market entry and growth strategy for the Indian subcontinent. He oversees a team focused on identifying new business opportunities, optimizing operational efficiency, and aligning cross-functional initiatives to enhance Spotify's competitive position. Under his leadership, the company has achieved significant milestones in user acquisition and product market fit within the region.
Career Progression
Prior to joining Spotify, Gokul served as the Assistant Vice President of Strategy & Operations at Mobile Premier League (MPL), a leading mobile esports platform. In this role, he was responsible for developing and implementing strategic plans to drive user growth, improve operational processes, and enhance the company's overall market competitiveness. Before MPL, Gokul held various strategy and operations roles at Uber, where he contributed to the optimization of the company's motorcycle-hailing service (Uber Moto) and the expansion of its premium portfolio in Latin America.
Gokul's earlier career experience includes positions as a Micro-Market CEO at OYO Rooms, a Consultant at Michael Page, and an Analyst at the Royal Bank of Scotland and PwC India. This diverse background has equipped him with a deep understanding of strategy development, operational excellence, and data-driven decision-making across multiple industries.
Academic Background
Gokul holds a Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering from Coromandel International Limited, where he graduated with distinction.
Areas of Expertise
- Strategy formulation and execution
- Operations optimization and process improvement
- Data analysis and business intelligence
- Cross-functional collaboration and stakeholder management
- Talent development and team leadership
Professional Impact
Throughout his career, Gokul has demonstrated a track record of driving measurable business impact. At MPL, he spearheaded initiatives that resulted in a 25% increase in user retention and a 15% improvement in operational efficiency. During his time at Uber, Gokul's contributions to the Uber Moto service expansion and the premium portfolio optimization led to significant revenue growth and enhanced customer satisfaction.
Conclusion
With his comprehensive expertise in strategy, operations, and data-driven decision-making, Gokul Mani is well-positioned to make a substantial contribution to Spotify's India growth strategy. His proven ability to identify and capitalize on market opportunities, combined with his strong leadership skills, make him a valuable asset to the company as it continues to expand its presence in the dynamic Indian technology landscape.
