Head of Communications, APAC

Job description

ABOUT AIRWALLEX Airwallex is the only unified payments and financial platform for global businesses. Powered by our unique combination of proprietary infrastructure and software, we empower over 250,000 businesses worldwide – including Brex, Navan, Qantas, SHEIN and many more – with fully integrated solutions to manage everything from business accounts, payments, spend management and treasury, to embedded finance at a global scale. Proudly founded in Melbourne, we have a team of over 2,300 of the brightest and most innovative people in tech across 27 offices around the globe. Valued at US$11 billion and backed by world-leading investors including T. Rowe Price, Visa, Mastercard, Robinhood Ventures, Sequoia, Salesforce Ventures, DST Global, and Lone Pine Capital, Airwallex is leading the charge in building the global payments and financial platform of the future. If you’re ready to do the most ambitious work of your career, join us. ATTRIBUTES WE VALUE We hire successful builders with founder-like energy who want real impact, accelerated learning, and true ownership. You bring strong role-related expertise and sharp thinking, and you’re motivated by our mission and operating principles https://www.airwallex.com/us/operating-principles. You move fast with good judgment, dig deep with curiosity, and make decisions from first principles, balancing speed and rigor. You're humble and collaborative; turn zero‑to‑one ideas into real products, and you “get stuff done” end-to-end. You use AI to work smarter and solve problems faster. Here, you’ll tackle complex, high‑visibility problems with exceptional teammates and grow your career as we build the future of global banking. If that sounds like you, let’s build what’s next. ABOUT THE TEAM The Global Communications and Public Affairs team at Airwallex is responsible for protecting and strengthening the company’s reputation while building trusted relationships with key stakeholders. The team leads public relations, government affairs and corporate communications to support transparent engagement, navigate complex regulatory environments and advance Airwallex’s strategic growth priorities. ABOUT THE ROLE We are hiring a Head of Communications, APAC to lead and shape Airwallex’s narrative across Asia-Pacific, excluding ANZ. This person will own both external and internal communications across the region, influencing how Airwallex shows up with media, customers, regulators, partners and employees. They will act as a strategic thought leader, setting a proactive communications strategy and orchestrating a network of top-tier agencies across multiple markets and languages. WHAT YOU’LL DO - Define and lead an integrated communications strategy for APAC, spanning media relations, executive visibility, thought leadership, internal communications and issues management across priority markets including North Asia and Southeast Asia. - Position Airwallex as a trusted fintech leader by reinforcing narrative pillars around trust, compliance, data security and regulatory strength across the region. - Serve as the regional architect for Airwallex’s story, ensuring the Asia narrative is consistent with global positioning while remaining locally relevant. - Own media strategy and execution across APAC, building strong long-term relationships with journalists, outlets and external partners. - Drive high-impact coverage that supports business priorities, from market launches and product go-to-market motions to ecosystem partnerships and major corporate milestones. - Lead issues and crisis communications across the region, partnering closely with Legal, Risk, Compliance and country leadership on sensitive matters involving regulators, licensing, data and high-profile customers. - Support new country launches with integrated PR and communications playbooks that balance bold brand-building with local regulatory and reputational considerations. - Partner with Global Internal Communications to localise and amplify leadership messaging, company updates and key moments that matter for APAC employees. - Elevate Airwallex’s employee brand and values story across Asia. - Advise APAC leaders on narrative development, storytelling and high-visibility moments. WHO YOU ARE - 12–15+ years of experience in corporate communications, media relations or corporate affairs, with strong APAC coverage in technology, fintech, financial services or closely related sectors. - Experienced in managing sensitive reputation, compliance or regulatory topics, ideally in a highly regulated or financial environment. - A strategic thought partner to senior executives, with the ability to shape communications strategy and align cross-functional stakeholders around a clear narrative and plan. - Experienced in leading and scaling regional teams and managing agencies across multiple APAC markets and languages. - Comfortable operating in fast-moving, ambiguous environments, with a hands-on approach and the ability to move quickly from strategy to execution. - Data-informed and highly adaptable, using stakeholder feedback and market signals to continuously refine narratives, channels and tactics over time. PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS - Experience working in a global or regional organisation. - Experience in high-growth technology or fintech environments. APPLICANT SAFETY POLICY: FRAUD AND THIRD-PARTY RECRUITERS To protect you from recruitment scams, please be aware that Airwallex will not ask for bank details, sensitive ID numbers (i.e. passport), or any form of payment during the application or interview process. All official communication will come from an @airwallex.com http://airwallex.com email address. Please apply only through careers.airwallex.com http://careers.airwallex.com or our official LinkedIn page. Airwallex does not accept unsolicited resumes from search firms/recruiters. Airwallex will not pay any fees to search firms/recruiters if a candidate is submitted by a search firm/recruiter unless an agreement has been entered into with respect to specific open position(s). Search firms/recruiters submitting resumes to Airwallex on an unsolicited basis shall be deemed to accept this condition, regardless of any other provision to the contrary. EQUAL OPPORTUNITY Airwallex is proud to be an equal opportunity employer. We value diversity and anyone seeking employment at Airwallex is considered based on merit, qualifications, competence and talent. We don’t regard color, religion, race, national origin, sexual orientation, ancestry, citizenship, sex, marital or family status, disability, gender, or any other legally protected status when making our hiring decisions. If you have a disability or special need that requires accommodation, please let us know.