Japan Payments Operations - Executive Director

Join us at a pivotal moment as we transform payments operations and drive innovation. You will have the opportunity to lead a high-performing team, influence strategic direction, and make a lasting impact on the industry. Your expertise will help us deliver exceptional client experiences and foster a culture of continuous improvement. Grow your career with us and be part of a collaborative, inclusive team that values your ideas and ambition.

As an Executive Director in Payments Operations, you will lead a talented team to deliver flawless execution and drive operational excellence. You will shape the strategic direction of payments operations, ensuring compliance, risk management, and innovation. You will collaborate with cross-functional teams and stakeholders, fostering a culture of creativity and continuous learning. Your leadership will help us stay ahead of industry trends and regulatory changes, making a meaningful impact on our business and the wider community.

You will work closely with local and regional partners in product, sales, technology, client service, risk, and compliance. Your role will involve partnering with business stakeholders on strategic projects, ensuring operations has a strong voice in the process. You will build and maintain relationships with clients, partners, and industry peers, and represent the company in regulatory discussions. This is your opportunity to lead transformation and drive business outcomes in a fast-paced, evolving environment.

 

Job Responsibilities

• Lead the payments operations team to deliver flawless execution
• Guide teams on local clearing and settlement requirements, exceptions, and escalations
• Provide operational leadership focused on control and client outcomes
• Communicate status updates and key performance indicators to senior management
• Foster a culture of innovation and continuous improvement
• Promote cross-functional collaboration to generate diverse perspectives
• Facilitate brainstorming sessions and workshops for creative problem-solving
• Utilize technology and data analytics to streamline operations and enhance decision-making
• Implement automation and AI-driven solutions to increase efficiency
• Invest in continuous learning and development for team members
• Lead, mentor, and develop a high-performing, inclusive team

 

Required qualifications, capabilities, and skills

• Minimum 15 years of experience leading a large team in payments, transaction banking, or related field
• Demonstrate knowledge of payments clearing and products, including international standards
• Show experience managing at a senior level, with exposure to regional or international roles
• Collaborate effectively with offshore teams to lead payments operations
• Exhibit excellent communication and interpersonal skills to influence and collaborate
• Demonstrate leadership capabilities to inspire and motivate teams
• Display flexibility and maintain high performance in demanding initiatives
• Apply effective organizational and time management skills to prioritize and meet deadlines
• Demonstrate curiosity, resourcefulness, analytical and problem-solving skills
• Show experience in developing and implementing large-scale transformation
• Business proficiency in Japanese and English language

 

Preferred qualifications, capabilities, and skills

• Drive strategic, local, and regional projects with proven experience
• Manage challenging conversations and confidently handle performance management
• Work in a high-growth team or start-up environment, demonstrating adaptability and agility
• Lead in a constantly evolving business, embracing change and innovation
• Foster an inclusive culture that values diverse perspectives and continuous improvement