Thailand Country Manager

About the role

Wise is seeking a hands-on leader to drive our business operations and growth strategy within Thailand. You will serve as the primary executive responsible for our local market success, regulatory standing, and product expansion while working alongside global teams to improve cross-border money movement. In this capacity, you will act as the key architect of our commercial and regulatory positioning in the country, translating global objectives into local execution. You will own the end-to-end performance of the Thai entity, balancing operational rigor with strategic market development. The role demands a leader who thrives in a fast-paced, regulated environment and can navigate complex stakeholder landscapes. You will be instrumental in building the foundation for Wise's long-term presence and impact in Thailand. This is a pivotal opportunity to shape the future of money transfer for the region.

Key facts

What you'll do

• Serve as a resident Board Director for local licensed subsidiaries, managing board materials and governance standards.
• Own risk, compliance, and governance frameworks, ensuring all local entities adhere to both internal policies and external regulatory mandates.
• Manage direct relationships with the Bank of Thailand and other relevant government authorities, advocating for progressive payment system integration.
• Develop, implement, and maintain robust Business Continuity Plans to effectively manage operational risks and potential service disruptions.
• Oversee day-to-day operational performance while providing clear strategic direction to cross-functional teams supporting the Thai market.
• Negotiate and finalize commercial agreements with financial partners and the national payment network, ensuring strict adherence to service level agreements.
• Lead the complete end-to-end strategy for acquiring new local licenses to facilitate scalable business expansion.
• Partner closely with global product and engineering squads to prioritize, test, and launch new features tailored to the Thai market.
• Define and execute comprehensive go-to-market strategies, including customer acquisition campaigns, brand positioning, and user journey optimization.
• Act as the primary spokesperson for Wise in Thailand, representing the company in media interactions, public policy forums, and key industry events.
• Cultivate a high-performance local office culture and actively participate in talent acquisition, development, and retention initiatives.

Requirements

• Possess extensive, hands-on experience within the Thai fintech or payments landscape, with a proven track record of managing revenue growth or product ownership.
• Demonstrate a history of successful direct engagement with the Bank of Thailand, including managing the full lifecycle of license applications, audits, and regulatory reporting.
• Exhibit comprehensive, current knowledge of the Thai payment ecosystem, including PromptPay infrastructure, domestic clearing rails, card network rules, and foreign exchange regulations.
• Hold native proficiency in Thai and professional fluency in English, with the demonstrated ability to present complex regulatory and business topics to both regulators and global executive stakeholders.
• Maintain a hands-on, low-ego approach to problem-solving, whether addressing high-level strategic initiatives or investigating specific customer escalations.
• Apply strong analytical skills to build clear metrics frameworks and identify data-driven opportunities for growth and efficiency.
• Show a proven ability to lead cross-functional teams and influence stakeholders effectively without relying on direct hierarchical authority.
• Commit to upholding the highest standards of integrity, compliance, and ethical conduct in all professional interactions.
• Display resilience and adaptability in a dynamic, fast-moving international business environment.
• Align with Wise's mission of making money borderless by challenging the status quo in banking.

Nice to have

• An established, influential professional network within the Thai payment industry, including relationships with regulators, banks, and fintech partners.

Practical notes

• This role involves international collaboration and requires travel to the regional headquarters in Singapore or to European offices as necessary for business operations.
• The position offers flexible working arrangements, standard paid leave benefits, and a 6-week paid sabbatical after four years of service with the company.