Are you inspired by the opportunity to shape growth in a dynamic, rapidly evolving FinTech landscape? Join Western Union as our Business Development Director in Riyadh, where you will help drive market expansion, strengthen our omnichannel presence, and elevate how customers access remittance and financial services across Saudi Arabia. Be part of a global organization that thrives on innovation, impact, and the ambition to connect communities around the world.
Western Union empowers your pursuit.
As the Business Development Director for Riyadh, you will drive the company’s growth agenda in Saudi Arabia—leading market expansion, strengthening our digital and omnichannel presence, and building strategic partnerships that elevate our position in the financial services ecosystem. You will guide high‑performing teams, ensure operational excellence and compliance, and deliver initiatives that enhance our impact across the region.
Leadership and General Management
- Develop and execute the strategic growth plan, prioritizing market share, revenue, and profitability.
- Design and execute innovative strategies to accelerate revenue growth, particularly in digital channels and new customer segments.
- Oversee the P&L, ensuring financial targets are met or exceeded through effective cost management and revenue generation.
- Cultivate a high-performance culture by leading, mentoring, and motivating cross-functional teams.
Digital and Product Innovation
- Champion the development and deployment of digital products and services, ensuring they meet market demands and deliver superior customer experiences.
- Lead initiatives to strengthen the company’s omni‑channel presence, integrating online and offline platforms seamlessly.
- Ensure the seamless integration of online and offline experiences, creating a robust omni‑channel presence.
- Stay ahead of digital trends and competitor activities, ensuring the company remains at the forefront of innovation.
- Expand digital and product offering to target new customer segments.
Strategic Partnerships and Business Development
- Work in coordination with MEA leadership on potential M&A, partnerships for deploying beyond remittance services.
- Build and maintain strategic partnerships with local stakeholders, including financial institutions, regulatory bodies, and technology providers.
- Foster strong relationships with key company clients (large agent networks) to deepen engagement and drive long‑term loyalty.
- Identify and negotiate joint ventures, collaborations, and partnerships to enhance the company’s local presence.
Performance, operational excellence and compliance
- Set clear KPIs for the country’s operations and ensure regular monitoring and reporting.
- Analyze business performance, customer feedback, and market trends to refine strategies and improve outcomes.Adapt quickly to changing market conditions and implement corrective actions as needed.
- Ensure the highest standards of operational efficiency, risk management, and regulatory compliance.
- Implement and oversee robust processes and systems to optimize productivity and service delivery.
- Drive alignment between local operations and regional/global teams to maintain consistency and operational excellence.
Lead Cross-Functional Collaboration
- Partner with marketing, sales, product development, operations, legal and compliance to ensure alignment and impact.
- Build internal networks and connect with senior leaders across the company and the central functions.
- Inspire and mentor teams to foster a culture of innovation and excellence.
Role Requirements
- Minimum of 10+ years of General Management experience including Revenue and Profitability, managing a Retail footprint, Digital product launches and growth strategies, with a proven track record in market expansion and digital transformation.
- Must be a proficient Arabic speaker.
- Proven experience in the remittances, payments, FinTech, or financial services sector, with strong exposure to digital wallets, cross-border payments, or alternative payment solutions.
- Strong understanding of the Saudi remittance ecosystem, including exchange houses, banks, FinTech players, regulators, and key customer corridors.
- In-depth knowledge of global and regional Money Transfer Operators (MTOs), their operating models, products, pricing strategies, and competitive dynamics.
- Proven success in client-facing roles such as account management, partnership development, or merchant/agent acquisition within financial services.
- Solid understanding of SAMA regulations, AML/KYC requirements, and compliance standards applicable to remittances and payments in Saudi Arabia.
- Self-starter with a proactive, results-driven mindset, excellent organizational skills, and the ability to manage multiple priorities independently.
- Ability to work effectively with cross-functional and multicultural teams in a fast-paced, matrix organization.
Benefits
- Short-term incentives
- Health and life insurance
- Access to best-in-class development platforms
- Saudi Arabia-specific benefits include comprehensive medical coverage, Group Life Policy, End-of-service benefits, Global Travel Policy.
Western Union values in-person collaboration, learning, and ideation whenever possible.
This role is categorized as Office-Based, requiring regular presence at our Riyadh office to support daily operations and team coordination.
We are passionate about diversity.
Western Union is committed to fostering an inclusive culture that celebrates diverse backgrounds and perspectives, reflecting the communities we serve. We do not discriminate based on race, color, national origin, religion, political affiliation, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, disability, or marital status.
Learn more about our people and purpose at https://careers.westernunion.com.
Estimated Job Posting End Date: 02-01-2026