Services - Payments, Core Product Modernization Lead - Asia South/JANA - Director

Citigroup Inc.; Singapore; On-site; SGD 180,000 - 220,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading global financial institution is seeking an experienced Director to lead the Payments Modernization strategy across Asia South. This role requires a deep understanding of the payments industry, strategic leadership capabilities, and experience managing high-performing teams. The successful candidate will drive implementation of innovative payment solutions and ensure compliance with regulations. This position offers a full-time contract and involves working closely with cross-functional teams to achieve business objectives.

Qualifications

• 15+ years of relevant experience with 8-10+ years in management.
• Proven track record in payments sector with ISO knowledge.
• Experience with AI/ML technologies highly desirable.

Responsibilities

• Lead Payments Modernization strategy and execution.
• Drive implementation and management of teams.
• Ensure risk compliance and adherence to regulations.

Skills

Payments industry knowledge

ISO messaging standards

AI/ML technologies

Strategic Leadership

Team Management

Risk Management

Education

Bachelor's degree

Master's degree

Job description

About the Role:

Citi is seeking a highly experienced and driven Director to lead the Payments Modernization strategy across the Asia South and JANA clusters. This critical role will spearhead the execution of the OnePay Modernization program, collaborating with business, technology, and operations partners to transform our payments landscape. This individual will be responsible for setting the strategic direction, driving implementation, and managing a high-performing team to achieve ambitious business objectives. The ideal candidate possesses a deep understanding of the payments industry, including ISO messaging standards, competitive landscape, and emerging technologies like AI/ML.

Responsibilities:

• Strategic Leadership:

  • Define and champion the product vision, strategy, and roadmap for Payments Modernization within the assigned clusters, aligning with the overall Services business strategy.
  • Conduct thorough market analysis, identifying opportunities and customer needs to inform regional market strategies and solutions.
  • Collaborate with OnePay Design Leads and cross-functional teams to determine the optimal approach for implementing the functional strategy.
  • Own the 3-5 year product portfolio roadmap, leveraging company-wide assets and driving necessary resource allocation.
  • Develop and execute a "test and learn" roadmap to validate product portfolio decisions.
  • Explore innovative ideas and solutions beyond the current product/service offering.

• Execution & Delivery:

  • Translate strategic goals into actionable product requirements and user stories.
  • Prioritize and manage the product roadmap, ensuring alignment with business objectives and market demands.
  • Partner closely with engineering teams throughout the development lifecycle, from requirements gathering to implementation and validation.
  • Conduct gap analysis between current and future state product offerings, identifying areas for improvement and innovation.
  • Proactively identify and resolve cross-project dependencies and roadblocks.
  • Analyze, manage, iterate, and track the performance of features post-launch, optimizing for user experience and business impact.
  • Participate in agile ceremonies, including sprint reviews, retrospectives, and release planning.

• Team & Stakeholder Management:

  • Lead and mentor multiple teams, fostering a culture of collaboration, innovation, and high performance.
  • Manage all aspects of team performance, including hiring, training, performance evaluations, compensation, and disciplinary actions.
  • Oversee budget planning and allocation for the Payments Modernization program.
  • Effectively communicate and negotiate with internal stakeholders at all levels, including senior management.
  • Build strong relationships with external partners and vendors as needed.
  • Effectively influence and align stakeholders across different functions and departments.

• Risk Management & Compliance:

  • Ensure adherence to all applicable laws, rules, and regulations related to payments and data privacy.
  • Proactively identify and mitigate risks, safeguarding Citigroup, its clients, and assets.
  • Promote a strong culture of compliance and ethical conduct within the team.

Qualifications:

• 15+ years of relevant experience, including 8-10+ years in a managerial capacity.
• Proven track record of success in the payments industry, with a deep understanding of ISO messaging standards and competitive landscape.
• Experience working in a regulated environment with a focus on privacy and security.
• Experience with AI and ML technologies is highly desirable.
• Demonstrated ability to lead and manage teams through organizational and cultural change.
• Expertise in Design Thinking methodology and practical experience applying it to product development.
• Strong understanding of consumer product development and a passion for emerging technologies.
• Excellent communication, negotiation, and interpersonal skills.
• Bachelor's degree or equivalent experience.
• Master's degree is good to have.

Bonus Points:

• Experience building developer-focused tools and platforms.
• Experience with Agile methodologies and tools.

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Job Family Group:

Product Management and Development

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Job Family:

Product Development

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Time Type:

Full time

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Most Relevant Skills

Please see the requirements listed above.

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Other Relevant Skills

For complementary skills, please see above and/or contact the recruiter.

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