Associate Director Corporate Affairs, US

Airwallex is a global payments fintech company transforming the way businesses move and manage money globally. We have built a global financial infrastructure platform to help businesses transact, collect and pay across 130+ countries and 50+ currencies, without the constraints of the traditional global financial system. We've grown to 13 global locations and have raised over $900 million in funding. To support our ambitious growth plans, we’re looking for smart, collaborative and passionate people who are looking to make a genuine impact.
Airwallex is redefining financial services in the digital economy with the world’s most powerful global financial infrastructure and operating system for modern businesses. As the company scales its reach and deepens its offer, we are looking for a seasoned corporate affairs leader to join the team as Associate Director of Corporate Affairs, Americas.  
Reporting to the Global Head of Corporate Affairs, with a dotted line to the General Manager for Americas, you will play an instrumental role in helping to build Airwallex’s presence in the Americas region and promote and protect Airwallex’s reputation globally at a time of rapid expansion. 
We seek a seasoned corporate communicator with public affairs, issues management, media relations and thought leadership expertise to help Airwallex further penetrate the crowded landscape in the US and across the Americas region through differentiated narratives, scrappy newsjacking and targeted stakeholder engagement. 
Your role requires extensive communication engagement and relationship-building with external stakeholders including media, conference organizers, industry leaders, customers and regulators – as well as internal stakeholders across the company. This role will have significant c-suite exposure and requires executive presence, strategic sensibility and business savvy.  You will also be representing Airwallex as a spokesperson with seniority and with credible knowledge of our business.
The ideal candidate has at least 12 years experience, with a blend of agency and in-house roles, including experience in highly-regulated industries and B2B technology, prior fintech or payments experience preferred but not required.
As a leading member of our high-performing team, you will have an opportunity to join and strengthen our vision to shape Airwallex’s successful growth trajectory. 

Responsibilities

• Lead and implement a wide-ranging stakeholder communications and engagement strategy for Airwallex’s Americas business, focusing particularly on media and industry influencers 
• Devise and implement a holistic engagement program that includes providing access to senior media contacts to strengthen Airwallex’s reputation
• Help shape the external profile of our global leadership and what they should be known for in the region, and how it fits into the company’s global corporate affairs strategy
• Contribute to and work with the Corporate Affairs team to update Airwallex’s messaging playbook including on key policy issues
• Represent Airwallex as a key spokesperson and manage all “press office” duties for the Americas region
• Proactively initiate campaigns including media placements and conference keynote opportunities to position Airwallex as a thought leader in tech and business. Partner deeply with marketing and sales colleagues for media and conference opportunities.
• Provide counsel as a trusted advisor, help assess reputational risk matters and handle sensitive and crisis communication 
• Implement all external and internal communication efforts in Americas, including corporate, product, customer and partnership announcements 
• Supervise agency relationships, provide guidance and optimize output

What You Bring

• Solid domain knowledge in public affairs and policy development, media relations, internal and external communications
• Direct experience and working relationship with journalists, producers and editors 
• Understanding of leading industry groups and other thought leading organizations in our space
• Proven track record and ability to deliver tangible outcomes
• Exceptional written and verbal communication ability, strong executive presence
• Strong management skills and proven ability to influence and collaborate across functions
• Experience working across international markets with a culturally diverse team
• Proven consensus building and interpersonal skills
• Comfort with ambiguity and the ability to problem solve, test and learn. The resilience to try and try again
• Comfortable in a fast-pace environment, highly-adaptable, able to reprioritize and change gears quickly
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The Person Who Will Succeed In This Role Is

• A strategic thinker, do-er and self-starter who is able to operate at a high level to unders