Regional Business Director

Job Title: Regional Business Director, Asia

• Remittance & Money Transfer Operations Location: Singapore (preferred), with frequent travel across key Asian markets. About Lightnet Lightnet is a pioneering force in the global remittance and cross-border payments landscape, driven by innovation, compliance, and a commitment to financial inclusion. We leverage cutting-edge technology and a robust network to facilitate seamless and secure money transfers for individuals and businesses worldwide. We are seeking an exceptional and seasoned leader to spearhead our strategic growth and operational excellence across the dynamic and complex Asian region.

Position Summary

The Regional Business Director, Asia, will be a critical member of our global leadership team, responsible for defining, executing, and optimizing Lightnet's comprehensive business strategy across all Asian markets. This role demands a visionary leader with an unparalleled understanding of the remittance and MTO industry, a proven track record of driving significant revenue growth, and an extensive, high-level network within regulatory bodies, financial institutions, and key industry players across Asia.

The successful candidate will navigate complex regulatory environments, identify new market opportunities, foster strategic partnerships, and lead high-performing regional teams to achieve ambitious business objectives.

Key Responsibilities

Develop and implement a robust, long-term regional business strategy aligned with global objectives, focusing on market penetration, revenue growth, and profitability across diverse Asian markets (e.g., Southeast Asia, South Asia, East Asia). Identify, assess, and capitalize on new market opportunities, including new corridors, product innovations (e.

g., digital remittances, blockchain-based transfers), and strategic partnerships. Lead entry strategies into new territories, including regulatory navigation, licensing, and operational setup. Conduct comprehensive market analysis, competitive intelligence, and trend forecasting to inform strategic decision-making. Business Development & Partnership Management: Forge and nurture high-value strategic alliances with key financial institutions (banks, fintechs, MTOs), payment processors, mobile network operators, and large corporate clients.

Drive the acquisition of new business, expanding our agent network, and increasing transaction volumes and market share. Proactively manage and grow relationships with existing high-value clients and actively seek new partners, each contributing a minimum annual transaction volume of $10 million or more. Negotiate complex commercial agreements, ensuring mutually beneficial partnerships.

Represent Lightnet at industry conferences, forums, and regulatory discussions, enhancing our market presence and thought leadership. Regulatory Compliance & Risk Management: Possess an expert-level understanding of the intricate regulatory landscape governing remittances and money transfers across key Asian jurisdictions (e.

g., AML, KYC, data privacy, foreign exchange controls). Work proactively with legal, compliance, and risk teams to ensure strict adherence to all local and international regulations, proactively mitigating risks. Engage directly with regulatory authorities and central banks to foster positive relationships and advocate for industry best practices.

Implement robust internal controls and operational processes to ensure compliance and prevent financial crime. Operational Excellence & Team Leadership: Oversee the end-to-end operational efficiency of the regional business, optimizing processes, technology, and service delivery. Lead, mentor, and develop a high-performing regional team, fostering a culture of accountability, innovation, and continuous improvement.

Set clear performance metrics, monitor progress, and implement corrective actions to achieve business targets. Collaborate cross-functionally with product, technology, marketing, and finance teams to ensure seamless execution of initiatives. Financial Performance & Reporting: Full P&L responsibility for the Asia region, including budget management, forecasting, and financial analysis.

Drive revenue generation, manage costs, and optimize profitability. Provide regular, comprehensive reports to senior leadership on regional performance, market trends, and strategic initiatives. Experience & Requirements Minimum 15+ years of progressive leadership experience within the remittance, money transfer, or broader payments industry, with a significant portion dedicated to the Asian market.

Demonstrable C-suite level connections and an established network within financial institutions, regulatory bodies, and major MTOs across key Asian economies (e.g., India, Philippines, China, Indonesia, Malaysia, Thailand, Vietnam). Extensive experience working with or for, and a deep understanding of, major global and regional money transfer operators and remittance services such as Western Union, Money.

Gram, Wise (formerly Transfer. Wise), Remitly, World. Remit, Ria Money Transfer, Xoom, and other significant players in the Asian corridor. This includes direct involvement in strategic partnerships, competitive analysis, and market share growth against these entities. Proven track record of exceeding ambitious business growth targets and successfully scaling operations in complex, multi-country environments, with specific experience in managing and growing high-volume client portfolios (e.

g., individual clients or partners exceeding $10M annual volume). Deep expertise in Asian remittance corridors , including understanding of send and receive markets, demographic trends, and payment habits. Exceptional understanding of global and regional AML/CFT regulations, KYC procedures, and compliance frameworks relevant to money transfer operations.

Experience engaging directly with financial intelligence units (FIUs) and central banks is highly desirable. Strong commercial acumen with a proven ability to identify and exploit market opportunities, negotiate high-value deals, and drive profitability. Experience in building and leading high-performing, geographically dispersed teams.

Solid grasp of digital payment technologies, fintech trends, and innovation within the cross-border payments space. Bachelor's degree in Business Administration, Finance, Economics, or a related field; MBA or an equivalent advanced degree is highly preferred. Fluent in English, with proficiency in at least one major Asian language (e.

g., Mandarin, Bahasa, Hindi, Tagalog) a significant advantage. Willingness and ability to travel extensively across Asia (50%+). Attributes of the Ideal Candidate Visionary Leader: Ability to articulate a compelling vision for the region and inspire teams to achieve it. Strategic Thinker: Capacity to analyze complex market dynamics and formulate winning strategies.

Exceptional Networker & Diplomat: Adept at building and maintaining relationships at the highest levels. Results-Oriented: A relentless drive to achieve and surpass targets. Adaptable & Resilient: Thrives in a fast-paced, evolving environment. Impeccable Integrity: Upholds the highest ethical standards in all dealings.

Problem Solver: Creative and decisive in addressing challenges. Strong Communicator: Articulate, persuasive, and able to convey complex information clearly to diverse audiences.