Associate Director, Product Strategy & Operations

📍 Job Overview

Job Title: Associate Director, Product Strategy & Operations

Company: Airwallex

Location: Singapore, Singapore

Job Type: Full-Time

Category: Product Strategy & Operations

Date Posted: October 1, 2025

Experience Level: 10+ Years

Remote Status: On-site

🚀 Role Summary

• This pivotal role focuses on leading the development and operationalization of Airwallex's long-term global product vision, ensuring maximum impact and efficiency across all product pillars.

• You will act as the crucial bridge between C-level executive vision, commercial objectives, and the practical execution of product initiatives within a high-growth B2B Fintech environment.

• The position demands sophisticated market analysis, strategic insights, and robust operational governance to accelerate time-to-market and drive organizational alignment.

• You will be instrumental in incubating high-priority, zero-to-one strategic initiatives, demonstrating commercial viability before transitioning them to established product groups.

📝 Enhancement Note: This role is positioned as a senior leadership function within the Product organization, directly influencing strategic direction and operational execution. The emphasis on "bridging the gap" and "governance engine" suggests a need for strong process orientation, strategic thinking, and cross-functional leadership skills, highly relevant to operations professionals seeking to impact GTM strategy.

📈 Primary Responsibilities

• Product Strategy Leadership: Own, develop, and institutionalize the multi-year global product strategy, translating executive vision and market intelligence into a clear, actionable product roadmap and strategic priorities for the entire organization.

• Strategic Market Insights: Direct and conduct sophisticated market analysis, competitive deep dives, and complex data modeling to identify disruptive opportunities, validate significant product investments, and establish an evidence-based view of future customer needs and market white space.

• Operational Governance & Scalability: Design, implement, and govern robust Product Development Life Cycle (PDLC) frameworks, OKR tracking, and product prioritization processes to embed operational excellence and accelerate time-to-market across all product teams globally.

• Cross-Functional Alignment: Serve as the key strategic bridge between Product, Engineering, Commercial, Finance, and Legal, ensuring consistent alignment on strategic goals, resource allocation, and go-to-market execution standards.

• Executive Communication & Stakeholder Management: Prepare and deliver high-stakes strategic reviews and proposals to the C-Suite (CEO, CPO, etc.), synthesizing complex strategic challenges into concise, compelling recommendations that drive critical business decisions.

• Strategic Initiative Incubation: Lead the end-to-end incubation of high-priority, zero-to-one strategic initiatives, managing cross-functional teams to prove commercial viability before transitioning them into established product groups.

📝 Enhancement Note: These responsibilities highlight a blend of strategic planning and operational execution, typical of senior roles within Revenue Operations or GTM Strategy. The emphasis on PDLC frameworks, OKR tracking, and cross-functional alignment points to a strong need for process design and implementation expertise.

🎓 Skills & Qualifications

Education:

• Bachelor’s degree in a quantitative or technical field is required.

Experience:

• 10+ years of experience in a highly analytical and strategic role.

• Significant experience in either a top-tier strategy consulting firm OR within a Product Strategy/Operations leadership function at a leading B2B Fintech or high-growth global technology company.

Required Skills:

• Exceptional executive-level written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to synthesize complex, ambiguous concepts into clear, persuasive narratives for C-level audiences.

• Mastery of first-principles thinking and advanced analytical problem-solving to dissect business challenges, model growth scenarios, and establish data-driven strategic direction.

• Proven ability to influence and manage senior stakeholders without direct reporting authority, fostering collaboration and achieving consensus across highly diverse functional teams.

• Experience in designing, implementing, and governing Product Development Life Cycle (PDLC) frameworks and OKR tracking mechanisms.

• Strong understanding of market analysis, competitive intelligence, and data modeling techniques.

Preferred Skills:

• Deep domain expertise in global technology, financial services, or payments.

• Experience with agile methodologies and product management best practices.

• Proven track record in change management and driving operational excellence in complex organizations.

• Familiarity with AI-driven tools for enhanced productivity and problem-solving.

📝 Enhancement Note: The minimum qualifications clearly indicate a need for deep strategic thinking combined with robust operational execution capabilities. The preference for a quantitative or technical background, coupled with extensive experience in strategy or operations leadership, positions this role for candidates who can blend analytical rigor with practical implementation.

📊 Process & Systems Portfolio Requirements

Portfolio Essentials:

• Showcase a history of developing and executing comprehensive product strategies that have demonstrably increased market share or revenue.

• Provide case studies demonstrating the design and implementation of operational governance frameworks, PDLC improvements, or OKR tracking systems that enhanced efficiency and predictability.

• Present examples of complex data modeling or market analysis projects that led to significant strategic decisions or validated new product opportunities.

Process Documentation:

• Evidence of creating and refining Product Development Life Cycle (PDLC) frameworks, including documentation of key stages, decision points, and stakeholder involvement.

• Examples of process design for OKR (Objectives and Key Results) tracking and reporting mechanisms, illustrating how performance was monitored and aligned with strategic goals.

• Documentation of cross-functional alignment processes, detailing how Product, Engineering, Commercial, Finance, and Legal were integrated to ensure cohesive execution of product strategies.

• Case studies demonstrating the operationalization of strategic initiatives, from initial incubation through to successful transition into established product groups, with clear process documentation.

📝 Enhancement Note: For a role focused on Product Strategy & Operations, a portfolio demonstrating strategic planning, process design, and cross-functional execution is critical. Candidates should be prepared to showcase their ability to translate high-level strategy into actionable, well-governed processes.

💵 Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range:

Given the Associate Director level, 10+ years of experience, and the strategic nature of the role in a high-growth Fintech company in Singapore, a competitive salary range can be estimated. Based on industry benchmarks for similar senior strategy and operations roles in Singapore's financial technology sector, the estimated annual base salary range is S$180,000 - S$250,000. This range accounts for the significant experience required, the high level of responsibility, and the strategic impact of the role, including potential for bonuses and equity.

Benefits:

• Comprehensive Health Insurance: Including medical, dental, and vision coverage for employees and eligible dependents.

• Generous Paid Time Off: Including annual leave, sick leave, and public holidays, with potential for increased days based on tenure.

• Professional Development & Learning Opportunities: Access to training programs, conferences, certifications, and a budget for continuous learning to stay ahead in the fast-paced Fintech industry.

• Performance-Based Bonuses & Equity: Potential for annual bonuses tied to individual and company performance, and stock options or grants reflecting long-term commitment and success.

• Global Mobility Opportunities: As a global company, potential for international assignments or exposure to different markets and teams.

• Retirement Savings Plan: Contributions to a local retirement savings scheme (e.g., CPF in Singapore) or equivalent.

• Employee Assistance Program (EAP): Confidential support services for personal and professional challenges.

Working Hours:

The standard working hours for this full-time, on-site role are typically 40 hours per week, aligning with typical professional services and technology company norms. However, given the senior leadership and high-impact nature of the role, flexibility may be expected to meet business demands, including occasional work outside of standard hours for critical deadlines, executive reviews, or global team coordination.

📝 Enhancement Note: Salary estimation is based on publicly available compensation data for senior strategy and operations roles in Singapore, considering the Fintech industry and the specified experience level. Benefits are typical for a company of Airwallex's size and global reach within the tech sector.

🎯 Team & Company Context

🏢 Company Culture

Industry: Global FinTech (Payments, Financial Platform)

Company Size: Over 1,800 employees worldwide.

Founded: 2015. Airwallex was founded in Melbourne and has rapidly scaled to become a leading global player in the payment and financial services infrastructure.

Team Structure:

• The Product team is described as a group of passionate builders and problem-solvers focused on customer-centric solutions.

• The Product Strategy & Operations function acts as the "governance engine" for the entire Global Product organization, indicating a central, high-impact role.

Methodology:

• The company values "builders with founder-like energy" who seek impact, accelerated learning, and ownership.

• Emphasis is placed on moving fast with good judgment, digging deep with curiosity, and making decisions from first principles, balancing speed and rigor.

• Collaboration, humility, and a "get stuff done" attitude are key attributes.

• The use of AI to work smarter and solve problems faster is encouraged.

Company Website: https://www.airwallex.com

📝 Enhancement Note: Airwallex's culture is geared towards high-achievers who are entrepreneurial, data-driven, and focused on impactful execution. This aligns well with the rigorous demands of a Product Strategy & Operations role, where process optimization and strategic alignment are paramount.

📈 Career & Growth Analysis

Operations Career Level: Associate Director, Product Strategy & Operations. This signifies a senior leadership position with significant strategic influence and operational oversight, reporting into higher levels of Product leadership.

Reporting Structure: The role is within the Product team and functions as the "governance engine" for global product. It reports to a senior Product leader (likely a Director or VP of Product) and is expected to work closely with C-suite executives (CEO, CPO) and leaders across Engineering, Commercial, Finance, and Legal.

Operations Impact: This role has a direct and significant impact on Airwallex's company-wide growth trajectory by defining the long-term product vision, ensuring operational excellence in product development, and aligning strategic goals across critical business functions. The success of this role directly translates to improved time-to-market, better resource allocation, and more effective go-to-market execution for Airwallex's global product offerings.

Growth Opportunities:

• Strategic Leadership Advancement: Potential to grow into a Director or VP of Product Strategy & Operations, or to transition into broader Product leadership roles, overseeing larger product portfolios or strategic initiatives.

• Cross-Functional Expertise: Deepen expertise in FinTech, global payments, and B2B product strategy by working across diverse teams like Engineering, Sales, Marketing, Finance, and Legal.

• Incubation Leadership: Gain experience in incubating and scaling entirely new product lines or strategic ventures from zero to one, which is a high-demand skill set in the tech industry.

• Executive Exposure & Influence: Develop strong executive presence and influence by regularly presenting to and advising C-level stakeholders, shaping critical business decisions.

📝 Enhancement Note: The "Associate Director" title and the responsibilities suggest a role with substantial autonomy and influence, offering significant growth potential toward executive leadership within a rapidly expanding global FinTech company.

🌐 Work Environment

Office Type: On-site, implying a structured office environment designed for collaboration and focused work.

Office Location(s): Singapore. This location is a key hub for Airwallex, suggesting a dynamic and international work environment.

Workspace Context:

• As an "on-site" role, the workspace is expected to foster direct collaboration with Product, Engineering, and other key business functions housed within the Singapore office.

• Access to modern office infrastructure, technology, and collaborative spaces designed to support strategic planning and operational execution.

• Opportunities for spontaneous idea generation and problem-solving through direct interaction with diverse teams and leaders.

Work Schedule: Standard 40-hour work week, with the understanding that senior roles in strategic functions often require flexibility to manage critical deadlines and executive-level engagement. This allows for dedicated time for deep work on strategy formulation, data analysis, and process design, balanced with collaborative sessions.

📝 Enhancement Note: The on-site requirement in Singapore suggests a highly collaborative and integrated work environment, crucial for a role that emphasizes cross-functional alignment and executive communication.

📄 Application & Portfolio Review Process

Interview Process:

• Initial Screening: A recruiter screens applications to assess alignment with minimum qualifications and experience.

• Hiring Manager Interview: A discussion with the hiring manager (likely a senior Product leader) to delve deeper into experience, strategic thinking, operational approach, and cultural fit.

• Case Study / Strategy Challenge: Candidates will likely be presented with a complex business problem or strategic challenge relevant to Airwallex's product landscape. This may involve market analysis, strategy formulation, or operational improvement recommendations.

• Panel Interviews: Meetings with key cross-functional stakeholders (e.g., leaders from Engineering, Commercial, Finance) to assess collaboration skills, influence, and ability to build consensus.

• Executive Interview: A final interview with a C-level executive (e.g., CPO, CEO) to evaluate strategic vision, executive communication, and overall fit for the company's leadership team.

Portfolio Review Tips:

• Quantify Impact: For each project or initiative showcased, clearly articulate the problem, your role, the solution/strategy, and the quantifiable results (e.g., % increase in efficiency, S$ revenue impact, reduction in time-to-market).

• Process-Oriented Examples: Highlight your experience in designing, implementing, and governing processes like PDLC, OKR tracking, or cross-functional alignment frameworks. Detail the challenges, your approach, and the outcomes.

• Strategic & Analytical Depth: Demonstrate your ability to perform deep market analysis, competitive intelligence, and complex data modeling. Explain your thought process and how data informed your strategic recommendations.

• Executive Communication: Prepare to present your portfolio highlights concisely and persuasively, as if presenting to C-level executives. Focus on the "so what" and the business implications.

• Tailor to Airwallex: Research Airwallex's current product offerings, strategic priorities, and market position. Frame your portfolio examples to demonstrate how your skills directly address their needs and challenges.

Challenge Preparation:

• Think First Principles: Approach problems by breaking them down to fundamental truths and building up solutions logically.

• Structure Your Response: For case studies, use a clear framework (e.g., Situation, Complication, Resolution, Recommendation) to organize your thoughts and presentation.

• Data-Driven Recommendations: Back up your strategic and operational recommendations with data, analysis, and logical reasoning.

• Consider Trade-offs: Acknowledge potential risks, trade-offs, and alternative solutions. Demonstrate a balanced perspective.

• Focus on Execution: For operational challenges, detail the steps required for implementation, potential roadblocks, and how you would measure success.

📝 Enhancement Note: The interview process emphasizes strategic thinking, analytical prowess, executive communication, and cross-functional influence, all critical for a senior Product Strategy & Operations role. The portfolio review and challenges are designed to test these competencies rigorously.

🛠 Tools & Technology Stack

Primary Tools:

• Product Management Platforms: Familiarity with tools used for roadmap planning, backlog management, and feature prioritization (e.g., Jira, Aha!, Productboard).

• Collaboration Suites: Proficiency with tools facilitating cross-functional communication and project management (e.g., Google Workspace, Microsoft 365, Slack, Confluence).

• Data Analysis & Modeling: Experience with analytical tools for market analysis, data modeling, and scenario planning (e.g., Excel, SQL, Python/R for advanced analysis, Tableau/Power BI for visualization).

• Presentation Software: Mastery of tools for creating high-impact executive presentations (e.g., PowerPoint, Google Slides).

Analytics & Reporting:

• Business Intelligence (BI) Tools: Experience creating dashboards and reports to track OKRs and strategic KPIs (e.g., Tableau, Power BI, Looker).

• CRM Systems: Understanding of how CRM data (e.g., Salesforce) can inform product strategy and market segmentation.

• Financial Modeling Tools: Proficiency in building financial models to assess business cases and growth scenarios.

CRM & Automation:

• While not direct CRM management, understanding how CRM data integrates with product strategy and commercial goals is beneficial.

• Familiarity with workflow automation concepts and tools that can enhance operational efficiency within product development and go-to-market processes.

📝 Enhancement Note: The role requires a strong analytical toolkit and comfort with data visualization and reporting to support strategic decision-making and operational governance. While specific tool names aren't listed, the functions are clear.

👥 Team Culture & Values

Operations Values:

• Founder-like Energy & Impact: Drive to make a significant difference and take ownership of outcomes, mirroring entrepreneurial spirit.

• Accelerated Learning: A commitment to continuous skill development and rapid growth in a dynamic environment.

• Speed with Good Judgment: Ability to move quickly while making sound, data-informed decisions.

• Curiosity & First Principles: A deep desire to understand problems fundamentally and build solutions from the ground up.

• Humility & Collaboration: Working effectively with diverse teams, valuing input, and fostering a shared sense of purpose.

• "Get Stuff Done" Attitude: A proactive and results-oriented approach to execution, driving initiatives to completion end-to-end.

Collaboration Style:

• Cross-Functional Integration: Actively bridging gaps between Product, Engineering, Commercial, Finance, and Legal to ensure unified strategic direction and execution.

• Executive Partnership: Building strong relationships with C-suite leaders to provide strategic guidance and gain buy-in for product initiatives.

• Data-Driven Dialogue: Engaging in discussions and decision-making based on rigorous analysis, market insights, and quantifiable results.

• Process Improvement Focus: Collaborating to design, implement, and refine operational frameworks that enhance efficiency and scalability across the product organization.

📝 Enhancement Note: Airwallex's emphasis on "founder-like energy," "speed with good judgment," and "getting stuff done" indicates a fast-paced, high-accountability environment where proactive individuals can thrive and make a tangible impact.

⚡ Challenges & Growth Opportunities

Challenges:

• Balancing Strategic Vision with Execution: Translating ambitious long-term product strategies into actionable roadmaps and ensuring efficient execution across a global, complex organization.

• Navigating Ambiguity: Dealing with complex, often ambiguous business challenges and market dynamics in the rapidly evolving FinTech landscape.

• Influencing Without Authority: Effectively driving strategic alignment and operational change across diverse departments and senior stakeholders who do not report directly to you.

• Incubating Zero-to-One Initiatives: successfully nurturing novel strategic ideas from concept to commercial viability, requiring strong leadership, risk management, and cross-functional coordination.

• Staying Ahead of Market Trends: Continuously analyzing market shifts, competitive landscapes, and emerging technologies (like AI) to ensure Airwallex's product strategy remains robust and innovative.

Learning & Development Opportunities:

• FinTech Domain Mastery: Deepen expertise in global payments, B2B financial services, and regulatory landscapes.

• Strategic Leadership Acumen: Hone skills in executive communication, stakeholder management, and driving large-scale strategic change.

• Product Strategy & Operationalization: Gain hands-on experience in developing and implementing global product roadmaps and robust operational governance frameworks.

• Innovation Incubation: Develop skills in identifying, validating, and scaling new business opportunities and product lines.

• AI Integration: Explore and leverage AI tools and methodologies to enhance strategic analysis, operational efficiency, and problem-solving within the product lifecycle.

📝 Enhancement Note: The challenges presented are inherent to senior strategic roles in high-growth tech companies. The growth opportunities are substantial, offering a clear path for career advancement and skill enhancement within the FinTech industry.

💡 Interview Preparation

Strategy Questions:

• "How would you approach developing a multi-year product strategy for a global FinTech company like Airwallex, considering market dynamics, competitive pressures, and internal capabilities?" (Focus on your framework, data sources, and stakeholder engagement strategy.)

• "Describe a time you had to influence senior executives to adopt a new strategic direction or operational change. What was your approach, and what was the outcome?" (Highlight your communication, persuasion, and stakeholder management skills.)

Company & Culture Questions:

• "Based on your research, what do you see as Airwallex's biggest strategic opportunities and challenges in the next 3-5 years, and how would Product Strategy & Operations contribute?" (Showcase your understanding of the company and its market.)

• "How do you embody Airwallex's operating principles, such as 'Speed with Good Judgment' or 'Curiosity and First Principles,' in your daily work?" (Connect your past experiences to the company's values.)

Portfolio Presentation Strategy:

• Executive Summary First: Start with a high-level overview of your most impactful achievements.

• Problem-Solution-Impact Structure: For each case study, clearly define the problem, your strategic/operational solution, and the quantifiable impact.

• Focus on Process: Emphasize the frameworks, methodologies, and processes you designed or implemented to achieve results.

• Stakeholder Management: Highlight instances where you successfully collaborated with or influenced diverse teams and senior leadership.

• Conciseness and Clarity: Be prepared to present complex information succinctly, focusing on the strategic implications and business value. Use visuals where appropriate.

📝 Enhancement Note: Preparation should focus on demonstrating strategic thinking, analytical rigor, operational execution capabilities, and strong executive-level communication, all tailored to the FinTech industry and Airwallex's specific context.

📌 Application Steps

To apply for this operations position:

• Submit your application through the provided link on Ashby.

• Tailor Your Resume: Highlight experience in product strategy, market analysis, operational governance, executive communication, and cross-functional leadership. Quantify achievements with metrics wherever possible, focusing on impact in B2B Fintech or high-growth tech environments.

• Prepare Your Portfolio: Curate 2-3 key projects or initiatives that best demonstrate your ability to formulate strategy, design operational processes (like PDLC or OKR tracking), and drive execution through cross-functional alignment. Be ready to discuss your role, methodology, and quantifiable results.

• Research Airwallex: Deeply understand Airwallex's business model, product offerings, target markets, competitive landscape, and stated company values and operating principles.

• Practice Executive Communication: Rehearse how you would present your experience and strategic recommendations to a C-level audience, focusing on clarity, conciseness, and business impact.

⚠️ Important Notice: This enhanced job description includes AI-generated insights and operations industry-standard assumptions. All details should be verified directly with the hiring organization before making application decisions.