Regional Manager - Business Development (MENA)

About this role

Join Zepz: Breaking Down Borders, Together
Our Meaningful Mission
At Zepz, we're all about breaking down barriers for our customers and our teammates. Our purpose is deeply personal, we provide a lifeline and deliver opportunities to cross-border communities that need it most through cutting edge finance and tech.Zepz is the power behind WorldRemit and Sendwave, driven by the mission to celebrate the incredible impact migrants have, both at home and abroad. We're not just moving money; we're building a world that truly recognizes and supports global connections.

Who You'll Be Joining
We look for mission-driven builders who thrive in a fast-paced environment connected to a true purpose. We’re an always developing team of experts that enjoy problem solving and bring clarity to tough challenges. At Zepz, we are Relentless Learners, always seeking feedback, and Responsible Owners, treating company resources like your own. We depend on Transparent Communicators who keep the team aligned through open, honest talk.

Our Core Commitments — What We Live By
Our vibrant and truly diverse culture is built on three core commitments, that guide how we work and interact:

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Integrity:We always do the right thing. It’s simple, but it’s the foundation of everything we build for our customers and each other.

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Outcomes: We work for our customers. Their success and prosperity are the results we focus on delivering.

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Velocity:We are fast! We maintain high energy levels and make smart decisions quickly, keeping us nimble and ahead of the curve.

Perks of Joining Our Team
We believe in empowering colleagues because we genuinely trust our team. Our culture is founded on this high trust, which naturally encourages the high ownership that drives us to meet our shared high expectations and deliver high performance. Our remote-first culture means you have the flexibility to work in your employing country wherever you feel the most focused and productive. This freedom comes with wonderful tailored, location-specific perks designed to support your whole life, not just your work. Think unlimited annual leave , great healthcare benefits, and employee discounts. We want you to thrive and focus entirely on making your biggest impact! In turn, we expect you to bring high ownership and commitment to your work. This is a place where we value trust and high performance, and we'll provide the environment and support needed for you to excel

About the Role
As the Regional Manager, Business Development for the Middle East & North Africa (MENA), you will drive Zepz’s expansion, commercial optimization, and strategic footprint across a high-volume, dynamic financial landscape. This role focuses heavily on the remittance, payments and FX wholesale industries, requiring a professional who can operate with high autonomy to unlock key outbound send markets and maximize inbound receive corridors.
You will be responsible for end-to-end market growth—from pitching and structuring complex deals to navigating diverse regulatory environments (including GCC central banks and North African monetary authorities) and managing high-stakes relationships with banking executives, aggregators, exchange houses, and regulators.

What you bring to the table

1. New Market Launches & Corridor Expansion

• Identify, assess, and execute new market entry strategies across the MENA region to expand Zepz’s remittance footprint, with a specific focus on high-volume GCC send corridors and North African receive markets.

• Lead the end-to-end launch of new corridors and digital payment routes, ensuring fast time-to-market while mitigating operational and compliance risks.

2. Deal Negotiation & Creative Structuring

• Originate, negotiate, and close high-value partnerships with Tier-1 Banks, Payment Aggregators, Mobile Money Operators (MMOs), and major regional Exchange Houses.

• Develop and construct creative, bespoke deal structures that optimize liquidity, treasury flows, and FX wholesale pricing, ensuring total alignment with Zepz’s internal framework and regional regulatory boundaries.

3. Commercial Optimization & FX Management

• Continuously review and optimize existing commercial agreements to improve margins, reduce payout costs, and drive transaction volume in highly competitive corridors.

• Work closely with the Treasury and FX Wholesale teams to leverage competitive FX rates, managing the unique challenges of regional currency pegs (GCC) alongside fluctuating or restricted currencies in North Africa.

4. Regulatory & Relationship Management

• Act as the primary face of Zepz to regional central banks, financial regulatory authorities (e.g., DFSA, ADGM, SAMA, CBE), and local financial intelligence units.

• Build and sustain deep, trust-based relationships with C-suite executives at commercial banks, major digital wallets, and top-tier exchange networks.

5. Strategy, Analytics & Business Case Development

• Formulate comprehensive, data-driven business cases for executive approval, clearly outlining ROI, capital requirements, competitive dynamics, and risk factors.

• Utilize strong analytical skills to monitor corridor performance, transaction trends, and competitive pricing pressures to pivot strategies proactively.

What we are looking for
Industry Expertise

• Deep Cross-Border Payout Knowledge: A minimum of 7–10 years of experience in Business Development or Partnerships, with a strict focus on the Remittance, Cross-Border Payments, or FX Wholesale industries within the MENA region.

• Regional Footprint: Proven track record operating within the GCC (Gulf Cooperation Council) and North African monetary zones, with a deep understanding of their distinct regulatory, liquidity, and compliance nuances.

Competencies & Attributes

• High Autonomy: A self-starter who thrives with minimal supervision, capable of managing a vast, fragmented geographic region independently and delivering results from the ground up.

• Strategic & Commercial…