Director, International Expansion — CEO Office

The role

You will lead global expansion strategy and execute market-entry initiatives. You will manage a lean team to build regulatory, product, and operational foundations in new markets.

What you will do

• Own the strategy and execution of expansion into new markets globally.
• Lead expansion initiatives from market assessment through regulatory authorisation and launch.
• Determine optimal licensing, legal entity, and operating structures with cross-functional leaders.
• Partner with Product and Engineering to shape local product capabilities and infrastructure.
• Manage and develop a lean team.
• Work with the CEO's Chief of Staff and senior executives to shape expansion priorities.
• Partner with local regulators, financial institutions, and strategic stakeholders.
• Develop repeatable frameworks and processes to enable faster expansion.
• Support or lead high-impact strategic initiatives beyond international expansion.

Required 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.
• Demonstrated ability to lead teams and complex cross-functional initiatives.
• Exceptional analytical, problem-solving, and communication skills.
• Entrepreneurial, hands-on mindset with a strong sense of ownership.

Nice to have

• Proven track record of leading international market entries, including regulatory licensing, market-entry strategy, and operational launches.
• Experience in fintech, payments, or financial services, with an understanding of regulatory frameworks, financial infrastructure, and the interplay between licensing, product, and commercial strategy.
• Experience building and leading high-performing teams in high-growth, cross-functional environments.

About the company

Airwallex is an AI-native financial operating system for a real-time, intelligent economy. It provides financial infrastructure for over 675,000 businesses globally.