Description
As Director, International Expansion, you will lead Airwallex's expansion into new markets globally, shaping where and how we grow and building the regulatory, product, and operational foundations to succeed.
You will own a portfolio of market-entry initiatives end to end, from evaluating opportunities and defining entry strategies through licensing, product localisation, operational readiness, and commercial launch.
Responsibilities:
- Lead global expansion strategy: Own the strategy and execution of Airwallex's expansion into new markets globally.
- Own market entry end to end: Lead expansion initiatives from initial market assessment through regulatory authorisation, entity establishment, product readiness, and operational launch.
- Define regulatory and operating models: Work closely with Legal, Compliance, Risk, and Finance to determine the optimal licensing, legal entity, and operating structures for each market.
- Influence product and infrastructure strategy: Partner with Product and Engineering leadership to shape local product capabilities, payment infrastructure, and market-specific roadmaps.
- Lead a high-performing team: Manage and develop a lean team, setting clear priorities, providing strategic guidance, and driving accountability across multiple markets.
- Drive executive alignment and investment decisions: Work directly with the CEO's Chief of Staff and senior executives to shape expansion priorities, resolve critical trade-offs, secure resources, and drive timely decisions.
- Build external relationships: Partner with local regulators, financial institutions, payment networks, advisers, and other strategic stakeholders to support regulatory approvals, establish local capabilities, and unlock new market opportunities.
- Build a scalable expansion engine: Develop repeatable frameworks, tools, and operating processes that enable Airwallex to expand faster and more efficiently.
- Drive broader CEO Office priorities: Support or lead high-impact strategic initiatives beyond international expansion, working across the business to solve complex problems, shape company-level decisions, and drive execution on critical priorities.
Minimum qualifications:
- Intellectually curious, resilient, and hungry to win.
- Significant experience in strategy, international expansion, business operations, or related roles, ideally in fintech, payments, banking, or other high-growth technology businesses.
- Strong strategic and commercial judgment, with the ability to navigate ambiguity, evaluate complex trade-offs, and translate big-picture thinking into practical execution.
- Demonstrated ability to lead teams and complex cross-functional initiatives, influence senior stakeholders, and drive outcomes in fast-paced environments.
- Exceptional analytical, problem-solving, and communication skills, with the ability to simplify complexity, make sound decisions, and engage effectively with executive leadership.
- Entrepreneurial, hands-on mindset with a strong sense of ownership and willingness to get into the details to make things happen.