Finance Expansion Director

At Aspire, we’re more than just a FinTech company—we’re the leading all-in-one financial operating system built to empower the world’s innovators and entrepreneurs. We are on a mission to reinvent business finance, empowering startups and businesses to realise their full potential.

Founded in 2018, Aspire has raised over USD 300M+ across equity and debt from world-class investors. In 2023, we successfully closed an oversubscribed USD 100 million Series C equity round led by Sequoia Capital and Lightspeed Ventures with participation of Tencent, Paypal Ventures, LGT Capital Partners, Picus Capital and MassMutual Ventures. To power our solutions, we have partnered with some of the best companies in the world such as Visa and Wise and empowered more than 50,000 businesses using our suite of products.

Aspire has consistently been recognized for excellence, earning Best Employer and Startup of the Year by the Asia FinTech Awards in 2022 and 2023, ranked as LinkedIn’s Top Startup in Singapore, and listed on CB Insights’ Top 100 Global Fintech in 2023 and 2024.

You will be amazed by the energy and experience of our team! Aspire serves as an environment for you to innovate and drive change with our team of ex-entrepreneurs, ex-founders, and high-achievers with international and diverse backgrounds.

Are you a top talent who is passionate about entrepreneurship? Join our rapidly growing team to make an impact in the fintech space! 

About the team:

At Aspire, Finance plays a strategic role in driving our business forward. Our Finance team consists of a wide range of crucial functions across 5 verticals: (i) Financial Controlling with Financial reporting, Audit support, Cost Management, Compliance and Risk Management and Tax planning, Reporting, (ii) Treasury, which is a core function for a Fintech with Cash flow and Liquidity Risk, Treasury Product, FX Risk Management, Treasury Operation and Treasury Risk Management, (iii) Data including Business Intelligence, Data Analytics and Data Engineering, (iv) Strategy & Planning, which covers strategic road map, long term planning, fundraising and FP&A and (v) Credit Risk including risk modelling and scoring, portfolio monitoring and credit control. 

Our Finance team engages in frequent strategic data analysis, research, and modeling to provide the best financial insights for critical business decisions, helping Aspire navigate the competitive landscape and capitalize on emerging opportunities. The team also plays a key part as the first user of our Aspire software, pioneer in Finance transformation, reengineering our internal process to stay agile while maintaining the internal control in a hyper fast growing environment.

About the Role:

We are seeking a highly motivated and experienced Finance Expansion Director to lead our financial strategy and execution for global expansion.  This critical role will be instrumental in securing payment licenses and establishing financial infrastructure in new jurisdictions, primarily focusing on the UK, Europe, and the US.  The ideal candidate will possess a deep understanding of the regulatory landscape for payment services, strong financial acumen, and a proven track record of successfully navigating complex licensing processes.  You will work closely with a cross-functional team, including licensing, compliance, legal, and network development.

What Will You Be Doing:

• Collaborate on the setting of the financial strategy for global expansion: 
• Develop and execute the financial roadmap for entering new markets, including budgeting, forecasting, and resource allocation.
• Develops strategies to increase return on investment and profitability.
• Payment licensing efforts: Support the entire licensing process for obtaining payment service provider licenses in target jurisdictions (UK, Europe, US, and potentially others). This includes:
• Conducting thorough research on regulatory requirements and licensing frameworks.
• Preparing and submitting comprehensive license applications.
• Liaising with regulatory authorities and addressing their inquiries.
• Managing timelines and ensuring compliance with all regulatory deadlines.
• Collaborate cross-functionally: Work closely with the licensing, compliance, legal, and network teams to ensure a coordinated and efficient approach to global expansion.
• Develop and implement financial controls: 
• Establish robust financial controls and procedures to ensure compliance with local regulations (including safeguarding) and maintain the highest standards of financial integrity.
• Implement an internal audit programme with the Group audit function to ensure that the company complies with all financial and statutory regulations. 
• Manage relationships with financial institutions: Build and maintain strong relationships with banks, payment processors, and other financial partners in target markets.
• Oversee financial reporting and analysis: 
• Develop and manage financial reporting processes for new markets, providing insights into performance and identifying areas for improvement.
• Knows and adheres to local generally accepted accounting principles (GAAP) and Securities and/or International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRSs).
• Oversees and reviews accounting tasks, including payroll, taxes, and compliance.
• Stay up-to-date on regulatory changes: Continuously monitor changes in the regulatory landscape and adapt the company's financial strategy accordingly.
• Build and manage a high-performing team: 
• As the company grows, you will have the opportunity to build and lead a finance team dedicated to supporting global expansion.
• Be a mentor and a leader to all finance staff to ensure they can carry out their responsibilities to the required standard.

We would love to get to know you if you have the following: 

• Strong academic pedigree including a CA/CPA qualification or equivalent
• Minimum of 8 years of experience in finance, preferably in the financial services industry and in particular banking and/or payments sectors. The candidate is required to have had exposure to CASS and/or safeguarding requirements.
• Strong proficiency in all aspects of corporate accounting and all pertinent GAAP, rules and regulations
• Strong understanding of payment service regulations and compliance requirements in the EMEA region.
• Excellent leadership and team management skills, with a proven ability to motivate and develop team members.
• Advanced analytical and problem-solving abilities, with a keen attention to detail.
• Effective communication skills, with the ability to collaborate cross-functionally and influence stakeholders at all levels.
• Proven track record of implementing process improvements and controls, financial system implementation and driving operational excellence.

What we offer

• Uncapped flexible annual leave.
• Hybrid work arrangement. 
• Training subsidy for your professional growth.
• Wellness benefit.
• Team bonding budget to foster collaboration and sense of belonging.
• Flexibility to work from anywhere (for up to 90 days per annum).
• Culture is Key: We always strive to cultivate a special culture that brings special talents together - You can learn more about our culture on our careers site and LinkedIn Life page.
  

Equal Opportunity Statement 

Aspire is an equal opportunity employer and is committed to providing equal employment opportunities to all qualified individuals without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, disability, or any other protected characteristic as outlined by applicable laws. 

Please note: by submitting your application, you acknowledge that you have read and understood Aspire’s Data Protection Policy for Employees, Freelancers, Contractors and Job Applicants (the “Policy”), and consent to the collection, use and disclosure of your personal data by Aspire for the purposes set out in the Policy. You may withdraw consent for such collection, use and disclosure, and make an access or correction request in respect of your personal data, in accordance with the Policy by emailing people@aspireapp.com.