Country Manager

About the role We’re looking for an executor with a brilliant mind and strong communication skills to expand Wise’s product offering in South Africa. This is a unique opportunity to play a pioneering role in growing Wise in one of Africa’s most important financial markets, helping millions more potential customers save money by using our services. You’ll be responsible for overseeing local operations, defining our market expansion strategy, executing on it, and being the face of Wise in South Africa. Our banking relationships determine the quality of our product and a large part of its economics. Our relationships with regulators, governments and payment systems are crucial too. Key aspects of this role will include: Expanding Wise’s regulatory presence in South Africa. Building and improving relationships with banks, payment partners and other financial institutions. Helping Product teams build better, faster and more cost-effective products for customers. Driving Wise’s market expansion strategy from a payments infrastructure, regulatory and operational partnerships point of view. What will you be doing? Working with Product teams — Product Managers, Analysts and Engineers — you will help define the opportunities for Wise’s products in South Africa and, where relevant, other markets in Southern Africa. You’ll collaborate across teams and inspire others so that we deliver the best solution for our customers. Your mission will be to: Own and expand Wise’s regulatory presence in South Africa Identify the most appropriate way to grow Wise in South Africa and, where relevant, other countries in the region. Manage the regulatory and licensing process end-to-end, including understanding the regulatory landscape, preparing and coordinating applications, submitting materials, securing regulatory buy-in, and supporting the fulfilment of local requirements. Build strong, constructive relationships with relevant regulators and public-sector stakeholders, including the South African Reserve Bank, the Financial Sector Conduct Authority, the Financial Intelligence Centre and other relevant bodies. Understand existing and new regulations, and figure out the best ways our product can comply with them. Translate regulatory requirements into product implementations together with our Compliance teams. Be one of the Product team’s go-to people for regulatory knowledge. We see regulation as an opportunity. Shape the product opportunity in South Africa Identify opportunities to offer the best product in the market by taking advantage of our existing and future authorisations. Contribute to defining the opportunities and direction for Wise’s products in South Africa. Work closely with Product Managers and Product Engineers to develop our vision and build better products and experiences for customers. Help Product teams understand local payments infrastructure, customer pain points, regulatory requirements and operational…