Scheme Operations Lead, Japan

As a Scheme Operations Lead based in Tokyo you will own and drive our direct scheme integration and daily operations primarily with the Zengin System (Japans nationwide online clearing network). The scope may expand into other APAC schemes in the future. Wise is among the pioneering non-bank fintechs to achieve direct access to this infrastructure. You will collaborate with a multidisciplinary global team (Product Engineering Banking Compliance Risk and Servicing Operations across Japan APAC Estonia and our London HQ) to deliver world-class payment performance while seamlessly meeting localized regulatory obligations.

Key Responsibilities

1. Scheme Operations

• Daily Operations: Manage day-to-day communications from Zengin (advisories circulars etc.) and translate these into operational actions for internal stakeholders.

• Terminal & Booth Management: Oversee technical and User Testing (UT) work management for physical assets

• Maintenance & System Drills: Coordinate and support engineering maintenance work required by both Zengin and Wise. This includes managing internal/external Zengin maintenance windows and mandatory system drills

2. Incident Management & Resilience (On-Call Required)

• On-Call Framework: Operationalize and lead our on-call system acting as the first point of contact to triage Zengin network incidents and escalating to second level support where necessary. 

• Incident Resolution & Reporting: Lead cross-functional teams (Product Engineering Compliance Servicing) to resolve live incidents. Coordinate the subsequent technical write-ups and post-mortem process with the respective engineering teams and lead regulatory communications when required. 

• Business Continuity: Own the system/infrastructure Business Continuity Plan (BCP) and lead the Japan Annual Security Drill in close partnership with the Global Security team.

3. High-Impact Strategic Implementations (2028 & 2030)

• 8th Generation Zengin Migration: Lead the end-to-end operational implementation of the next-generation (8th) Zengin system in close collaboration with the engineering teams. 

• Industry Influence: Represent Wise in exclusive Zengin Study Groups. As one of the selected participant firms you will use our unique fintech perspective to influence Zengin in building a better more modern infrastructure for Japan.

4. Risk Audit & Compliance

• Risk Assessments: Drive comprehensive risk assessments in tandem with the Payment Operations Risk and Privacy teams.

• External Audit Ownership: End-to-end management of external audits from handling initial contract negotiations to managing day-to-day audit conversations data requests to the final report.

• System Risk Governance: Act as the ultimate owner of System Risk Management and governance frameworks for Wise Payments Japan (WPJ).

Qualifications :

• Fintech or Payments Experience: Proven background in payment operations banking infrastructure or scheme management is a non-negotiable requirement.
   
• Analytical or Product Mindset: Strong problem-solving skills with a preference for a product or analytical background over pure engineering.
   
• Hands-on Incident Management: Experience coordinating cross-functional teams (engineering product operations) to resolve live network incidents and run business continuity drills.
   
• Partner & Regulatory Relations: Comfortable acting as the main point of contact for domestic payment clearing networks external auditors and local financial regulators.
   
• Domestic Scheme Familiarity (Plus): Direct experience navigating local Japanese clearing systems (like the Zengin System) is highly desirable.

Additional Information :

Note: Compensation at Wise includes a base salary and equity component in the form of RSUs.

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Remote Work :

No

Employment Type :

Full-time