Senior Director, Business Planning & Operations - Singapore, Malaysia and Thailand

Role Overview

Lead the strategic planning, business performance, and operational excellence for the Singapore, Malaysia, and Thailand (SMT) cluster as well as for Global & Regional Clients across Asia Pacific. With direct managerial responsibility for both a Senior Director and a Director, this is a senior leadership role which requires demonstrated experience in leading senior leaders and driving results across multiple levels. This role reports directly to the SMTGCA Group Country Manager (GCM).

Job Description and Responsibilities

Strategic Planning & Governance

• Develop and coordinate cluster-wide strategic plans, ensuring alignment with business priorities and market opportunities.
• Institutionalize frameworks for consistent evaluation, prioritization, and tracking of strategic initiatives.
• Embed strategic imperatives into country/account plans and implement governance models to drive disciplined execution.

Business Performance Management

• Manage robust performance tracking systems across geographies to monitor impact of actions against key priorities and pipeline health.
• Identify, structure, and resolve complex business challenges (e.g., pricing/IRF interventions, non-card rail response plans) to deliver actionable recommendations that advance business objectives.
• Support the SMTGCA Group Country Manager (GCM) GCM in optimizing business processes, strategic deal reviews, pricing interventions and evaluating waiver requests.

Sales Excellence & Client Coverage

• Partner with the Sales Excellence team to optimize client coverage, elevate sales discipline, and implement a scalable sales operating model through process reengineering and capability building.

Cross-Border & Cluster Initiatives

• Oversee cross-border initiatives by identifying opportunities and driving governance and execution across countries, business units, and functions.
• Drive development of cluster-level strategic initiatives across Products & Solutions, CMS and VAS in collaboration with functional heads and leadership teams.

Market Intelligence & Strategic Insights

• Conduct market intelligence, share analysis, and consumer research to inform strategic decisions and identify growth opportunities.

Leadership & Communications

• Serve as a key member of the SMTGCA leadership team, owning the strategic project pipeline, team development, and cultural stewardship.
• Manage cadence and delivery of content for business reviews, executive reporting, staff townhalls, and SMTGCA leadership forums.
• Partner with cross-functional leaders to plan and execute internal and external speaking engagements for the GCM.