Ali Çandır
ALI CANDIR
Vice President | International Business Strategy & Technology-Led Growth | AI-Driven Global Operations | 50+ Countries | Full Stack & Scalable Software Architecture

An MBA-qualified international business strategist with 17 years of experience, driving end-to-end software, finance, business development, and sales operations across more than 50 countries on six continents.

Proven experience, certified by global authorities, in digital transformation, start-up visa processes, international corporate relocation, acceleration and incubation programs, innovation and technology transfer operations.

// Professional experience

Vice President of Sales | Private · January 2023 — Present · Ankara
Private
  • Expanded the company to Tallinn, Estonia.
  • Developed the company's software ecosystem using an AI-augmented architectural approach.
  • Manage game and gift card distribution, as well as software infrastructure sales.
  • Ensure full compliance with MENAT, APAC, AMER, and EU financial regulations.
Business Development Director | Private · August 2021 — January 2023 · Ankara
Private
  • Led international promotion activities and enhanced the brand's market value.
  • Grew company's revenue through strategic international partnerships.
  • Built a digital distribution network in the video game and gift card sector, expanding sales from 4 to 55 countries and B2B partners from 10 to 350.
  • Developed the software ecosystem of the distribution infrastructure on a scalable architecture.
  • Secured the Estonian Start-up Visa and established an EU company in Tallinn, Estonia.
  • Obtained company immigration approval under the Government of Canada's Start-up Visa Programme.
Director of Sales & Business Development | August 2020 — May 2021 · Ankara
Private
  • Increased annual revenue by building the gift card and prepaid card business unit from scratch.
  • Tripled the company’s valuation and expanded sales operations from 15 to 60 countries.
  • Led business development and sales operations across the MENAT, APAC, AMER, and EU regions.
  • Developed sales funnel and go-to-market strategies while opening new revenue channels.
  • Conducted product-market fit tests, as well as cost and profitability analyses.
Business Development Manager | Rokito Digital · April 2017 — May 2020 · Ankara
Rokito Digital
  • Managed SEO/SEM and content strategy operations.
  • Delivered campaign landing pages and system integrations.
  • Oversaw PPC budget management and ROI-focused reporting.
Business Development Manager | Private Gaming · April 2016 — April 2017 · Bursa
Private
  • Managed B2B business development and partnership operations within the gaming industry.
  • Coordinated regional marketing and campaign activities.
IT Officer | Bursa Uludağ University Faculty of Medicine · August 2014 — April 2016 · Bursa
Bursa Uludağ University Faculty of Medicine
  • Provided IT operations and end-user support for hospital information systems.
  • Coordinated incident reporting, documentation, and inventory tracking processes with clinical departments.
  • Supported daily internal IT requests and technical troubleshooting processes.
Business Development Specialist | Believe English Club · February 2011 — August 2014 · Bursa
Believe English Club
  • Managed English language education, start-up visa consultancy, and overseas residency processes end-to-end.
Sales Specialist | Doğtaş · January 2011 — September 2011 · Bursa
Doğtaş
  • Implemented product placements aligned with the store's sales strategy.
  • Conducted active direct sales operations.
  • Supported warehouse inventory counting and procurement processes.
  • Received the "Second Place in Türkiye Award" during a mystery shopper evaluation.
Sales Specialist | Bernardo · May 2010 — December 2010 · Bursa
Bernardo
  • Conducted active direct sales of dining set products.
  • Completed business development, marketing, and store design activities.
  • Managed store warehouse and departmental operations.
  • Oversaw stock counting and inventory tracking processes.
  • Carried out public relations activities.
Finance Intern | Global Menkul Değerler A.Ş. (Global Securities) · September 2007 — June 2008 · Bursa
Global Securities
  • Managed archive and documentation department operations.
  • Fulfilled requests from investment managers.
  • Performed daily internal financial and documentation duties.
Accounting & Finance Intern | Oyak Renault Automobile Factories · September 2004 — June 2005 · Bursa
Oyak Renault
  • Delivered daily financial outputs through the SAP FI system.
  • Managed archive and documentation operations.
  • Performed daily departmental duties.
  • Prepared, reconciled, and entered the department's accounting and financial documents into the IT system.

// Education

  • MBA, Business Administration | Uludag University (2021–2023)
  • Pedagogical Formation, Accounting and Finance | Gazi University (2019–2020)
  • Bachelor, Business Administration | Anadolu University (2006–2011)

// Languages

  • Turkish — Native
  • English — Advanced

// Skills

Executive Leadership & Strategy
  • C-Suite Operations & Executive Decision-Making
  • Corporate Strategy & Long-Term Vision Planning
  • P&L Ownership & Financial Performance Management
  • Organizational Leadership & Cross-Functional Team Management
  • Board-Level Communication & Stakeholder Reporting

Global Business Development
  • Market Entry Strategy & International Expansion (50+ Countries)
  • B2B Partnership Development & High-Value Contract Negotiation
  • Multi-Region Revenue Growth — MENAT, APAC, EU, AMER
  • Distribution Network Architecture & Channel Management
  • Sales Funnel Design, Optimization & Performance Management
  • Multi-Country Revenue Growth in Gaming & Digital Product Distribution

Regulatory Compliance & Risk Management
  • KYC / AML / EDD Compliance in High-Risk International Markets
  • Financial Regulatory Frameworks — MENAT, APAC, AMER and EU Jurisdictions
  • Estonia e-Government & Digital Identity Compliance
  • Banking Operations & Cross-Border Financial Risk Management
  • Corporate Governance & Legal Entity Management

AI Integration & Technology
  • AI-Augmented Business Process Design & Workflow Automation
  • Full-Stack Platform Development (Backend, Frontend, UI/UX)
  • AI Tool Evaluation, Selection & Operational Implementation
  • Software Project Management & Product Lifecycle Oversight
  • Digital Infrastructure Architecture & Scalable System Design

Digital Marketing & Growth
  • Performance Marketing, PPC & ROI-Focused Campaign Management
  • SEO / SEM Strategy & Organic Traffic Growth
  • Multi-Language Content Strategy & Digital Brand Positioning
  • Acquisition Funnel Optimization & Conversion Analytics
  • Corporate Web Presence & Campaign Reporting

Industry Expertise
  • Global Gaming & Digital Distribution Ecosystem
  • Gift Card, In-Game Currency & Virtual Asset Markets
  • Fintech-Adjacent Payment Systems & Banking Partnerships
  • Emerging Market Dynamics — High-Risk Region Operations
  • EdTech, Start-Up Visa & International Residency Consulting
  • Video Game & Digital Gaming Platforms — B2B Distribution & Monetization
  • In-Game Economy Systems & Virtual Payment Infrastructure
  • International Gaming Partnerships & Publisher Relationship Management

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