Open to opportunities

Nuno Pedro

@nunopedro

18 years leading Strategy, Ops & GTM at Google & YouTube. Helping founders and scaling companies build structure, cadence, and momentum.

Portugal

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What I'm looking for

High-impact fractional or advisory seats (remote, 1–2 days/week) where 18 years leading ops, strategy, and GTM at Google/YouTube creates immediate leverage. Looking to help founders untangle messy operations, build operating cadence, and drive AI-driven efficiency.

Some operations are messy. Some are scaling faster than their structure can hold. I give them structure and momentum.

That is the throughline of 18 years at Google and YouTube across EMEA and APAC: leading regional sales teams, running customer support and operations across seven Asian markets, building an insights function from scratch, and heading strategy and operations for YouTube's Trust & Safety Enforcement org—leveraging automation and AI to make large operations leaner, faster, and more cost-effective.

Three core problems I get brought in to solve:

• Installing operating cadence: Planning, OKRs, executive comms, and the meeting architecture that keeps teams aligned and accountable.

• Taking cost out without breaking operations: Converted a 35-person, seven-market support org to a vendor-first model, reshaping it into regional lead roles without gutting capability.

• Repointing teams toward new growth: Pivoted an 18-person team from a declining legacy revenue stream to a high-growth motion with immediate commercial impact.

Recently, I stepped back to get hands-on again—leading growth and operations for an artisanal business and building and shipping software products end to end. No large teams to delegate to, no corporate buffer.

I work best helping founders and leadership teams untangle strategy, operations, sales, or customer experience—bringing big-tech operational rigor with early-stage speed and direct execution.

Areas of focus: Strategy & Operations · Automation & AI Efficiency · Sales & GTM · Customer Support · Business Insights · EMEA & APAC

Experience

Work history, roles, and key accomplishments

Head of Strategy & Operations

YouTube

Apr 2022 - Apr 2025 (3 years)

Directed and led critical transformation initiatives, improving operations and collaborating with cross-functional teams and executives. Fostered strategic partnerships with key stakeholders across operations, product, and engineering domains.

Strategic Planning Operations Management Business Strategy Stakeholder Management Cross functional Leadership

Head of Customer Onboarding - South Asia

Google Asia Pacific

Apr 2020 - Apr 2022 (2 years)

Served as the Global People Excellence leader, enhancing well-being and fostering an inclusive community. Supervised a 12-person sales team across three distinct sub-regions (AUNZ, IN, and SEA) with a primary objective of facilitating the seamless on-boarding of newly acquired AdWords customers.

People Management Sales Leadership Customer Onboarding Performance Optimization Cross Functional Collaboration

Head of APAC Customer Care for Search Vertical

Google Asia Pacific

Apr 2019 - Apr 2020 (1 year)

Managed a regionally distributed team of Search product specialists & 2 managers in APAC, acting as second-level reactive troubleshooting support for Google advertisers. Drove operational efficiencies at a global level with process improvements on workflow hygiene, resolution times, and TVC performance.

Team Management Technical Support Efficiency Improvement Process Improvement Stakeholder Management

Head of SEA Customer Care

Google Asia Pacific

Jan 2017 - Dec 2019 (2 years 11 months)

Steered the transition to a vendor-first approach and helped kick off a top-tier support model. Played a pivotal role in the introduction of direct customer support for the Large customer segment across seven markets in Southeast Asia.

Vendor Management Market Expansion Service Design

Head of SMB Partnership Sales

Google Ireland

Jan 2013 - Dec 2017 (4 years 11 months)

Spearheaded EMEA-wide App Hub initiative, driving development of OneGoogle service package for top developers. Managed a 13-person team, ensuring global alignment and guiding an agile, opportunity-driven sales approach.

Sales Leadership Team Management Strategic Partnerships Agile

Head of Business Insights for Partnership Sales

Google Ireland

Jan 2011 - Dec 2017 (6 years 11 months)

Served as Functional Lead, driving multi-billion-dollar business across EMEA with a leadership group of 4 functional leads and a regional Director. Developed analytical excellence through the Business Insights team, fostering partnerships with global stakeholders.

Business Analysis Data Insights Leadership

Product Manager - Internet Mass Business

SonaeCom

Jan 2002 - Dec 2007 (5 years 11 months)

Managed product development and strategy for Internet Mass Business. Oversaw various aspects of product lifecycle from conception to market.

Product Management Internet Business Strategic Planning Market Analysis Product Lifecycle Management

Financial Auditor and Systems & Process Assurance

PwC

Jan 2002 - Dec 2007 (5 years 11 months)

Conducted financial audits and assessed systems and process assurance for various clients. Ensured compliance with financial regulations and internal controls.

Financial Audit Compliance Risk Management

Assistant Product Manager

Danone Portugal

Jan 2002 - Dec 2003 (1 year 11 months)

Assisted in product management for key brands including Danoninho and Meu Primeiro Danone. Contributed to marketing campaigns and product development initiatives.

Product Marketing Brand Management Market Research Product Development Campaign Management

Education

Degrees, certifications, and relevant coursework

Duke Corporate Education

Executive Education, Business

2013 - 2014

Participated in the Google Business Academy executive education program. This course focused on advanced business strategies and leadership within the Google ecosystem.

UCD Michael Smurfit Graduate Business School

Executive Education, Marketing

2010 - 2011

Completed the Google Marketing Academy executive education program. This program provided in-depth knowledge and skills in marketing strategies relevant to the digital landscape.

ISCTE, School of Technology & Architecture

Executive Masters, Retail Management

2005 - 2006

Completed an Executive Masters in Retail Management. Focused on advanced strategies and practices within the retail sector.

ISCTE, School of Technology & Architecture

Masters, Computer Science & Business Management

1997 - 2003

Obtained a Masters degree in Computer Science & Business Management. This program combined technical computer science knowledge with essential business management principles.