Director, APN Network Management

JR0128065 - Dubai

Director, APN Network Management Funds Out – MENA

We are seeking an experienced Director of Network Management in Dubai to join the new Network (APN) Management Team. This senior role will be responsible for executing, and evolving the strategy, governance, and operational framework of Western Union’s Account Payment Network (APN) of global pay-out partners, including banks, wallets, and card providers with a focus on the MENA region. They will ensure that our account pay out partners align with business objectives, regulatory requirements, and supports the development and optimization of the payment product suite. Through pay out partnership management, the Director of APN Network will ensure WU has secure, efficient, and innovative payment solutions that drive business growth within the region. In addition, the role will have a focus on staying close to development of stable coin within the region and position use cases. The role will work collaboratively with regional teams to understand their future payment requirements

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Role Responsibilities

• Execute the overall strategy, governance, and operational framework for the APN banking network, ensuring compliance with industry standards and internal policies.
• Work closely within the global product team, to ensure there is standard processes and strategic alignment.
• Establish, monitor, and revise service level agreements (SLAs) with incumbent and new pay out partners; track performance against key performance indicators (KPIs) and objectives and key results (OKRs) to drive operational excellence.
• Build and nurture strong relationships with internal and external stakeholders, ensuring robust engagement and transparent governance mechanisms shape product vision and strategic direction.
• Identify, evaluate, and develop strategic partnerships with pay-out partners, correspondent banks, and payment networks to enhance network resilience, currency coverage, and support APN product development
• Stay abreast of global payment market trends, regulatory changes, and technological advancements including stablecoin, adapting the network strategy accordingly.
• Collaborate closely with risk, compliance, legal, product, and technology teams to deliver change, close process and governance gaps, and ensure audit and regulatory readiness.
• Direct incident management and escalation processes, ensuring robust oversight, timely resolution, and effective collaboration among stakeholders.
• Represent Western Union in industry forums, panels, and conferences to maintain market presence and gather insights.
• Contributes to the formulation and execution of long-term strategies, including business case creation and governance of funding allocations.
• Review contractual agreements with Legal and Compliance teams, guaranteeing regulatory adherence and comprehensive documentation.
  
  

Role Requirements

• 7-10 years of experience of partnership management in Financial Services, preferably payments and 5+ years of experience managing teams.
• Undergraduate or graduate degree or equivalent experience
• Business development, negotiating contracts and managing commercial terms
• Partnership Management demonstrated partnership management skills including strategic and tactical partner management, working knowledge of payments industry participants, and executive relationship building.
• Experience in project management skills including the ability to create a project plan, planning and coordinating, organization, adaptability, and execution
• Excellent writing and communication skills.
• Proven problem-solving skills, a robust technological   background, and an understanding of business processes.
  
  

Benefits Include

• 25 days annual leave
• Life & Medical Cover
  
  

Western Union values in-person collaboration, learning, and ideation whenever possible. We believe this creates value through common ways of working and supports the execution of enterprise objectives, ultimately helping us achieve our strategic goals. By connecting face-to-face, we are better able to learn from our peers, problem-solve together, and innovate.

Our Hybrid Work Model categorizes each role into one of three categories. This role is classified as Hybrid, defined as a flexible working arrangement that enables employees to