Senior Counsel, Regulatory Affairs

Mastercard’s Global Regulatory Team is looking for a Senior Counsel to play an important role in its Regulatory Affairs function in Asia-Pacific. This role will primarily involve work in the Australia and New Zealand markets and will report to the Vice President, Regulatory Affairs, Asia/Pacific.

The role includes focus on delivering successful engagements with the relevant regulatory authorities, in particular the Reserve Banks of Australia and New Zealand and other national authorities. Key to performance within the role would be the ability to interpret the regulatory landscape as it pertains to Mastercard group activity, communicate requirements to senior management, and guide the organisation forward with focus on compliance and the thoughtful management of risk.

The successful candidate will be part of a global group of legal and regulatory compliance specialists who between them cover Mastercard’s regulatory affairs in 210+ countries and territories under the leadership of Mastercard’s General Counsel, Regulatory Affairs.

Role

• Building out and maintaining strong relationships with key regulators, in particular the RBA and RBNZ.
• Coordinating and working together with Public Policy and other stakeholders to further the implementation of a successful regulatory engagement strategy.
• Providing incisive, business-friendly explanations and advice to Australian and New Zealand markets’ senior management as a partner to navigate the increasingly complex regulatory context of Mastercard’s business.
• Communicating effectively to all levels of senior management including Australasian Division leadership and leaders outside the Division through updates and clear, concise presentations.
• Liaising with in-region legal generalists, Mastercard public policy specialists and other internal stakeholders supporting Mastercard’s business including Regional Head Office staff wherever based and, as required, Mastercard International Head Office staff based in the United States.
• Being the Regulatory point of contact and provide regulatory and risk advice as part of relevant product innovation processes in Australia and New Zealand.
• Anticipating the evolution of the applicable governance and risk management frameworks relevant to Australia and New Zealand.
• Monitoring for relevant regulatory change and working in close coordination with internal stakeholders in determining the impact of regulatory changes.
• Building and maintaining a strong working knowledge of laws and regulatory themes relating to payments, money transfer, e-commerce, banking/ financial services, open banking, digital identity, critical infrastructure requirements, domestic payment schemes and anti-money laundering within Australia and New Zealand.
• Being a tough and effective advocate for Mastercard, through the coordination and drafting of submissions, talking points and other materials, to protect Mastercard’s interests and enhancing Mastercard’s brand.
• Providing related support to Mastercard’s Franchise and Anti-Money Laundering groups.
• Supporting M&A process including the integration of relevant acquired businesses with reference to their direct regulation and Mastercard’s interests as shareholder.
• Managing outside counsel on relevant regulatory matters.
• Promoting Mastercard’s general and specific commercial interests through close collaboration with the Asia Pacific Product, Business Development, Public Policy and other groups.
• Leading relevant cross-functional initiatives as required.
• Related work types relevant to Mastercard’s regulatory affairs in Pacific Island nations which are under Mastercard’s New Zealand based management.
• Being a contributor to the broader activity of:

o Mastercard’s Global Regulatory Team under the supervision and direction of Vice President, Regulatory Affairs, Asia Pacific and the Senior Vice President, Regulatory Affairs, Europe and Asia-Pacific
o Mastercard’s Law, Franchise and Integrity team under the supervision and direction of the Mastercard Asia-Pacific General Counsel

All About You

We expect the successful candidate to have the following knowledge, skills and experience:

• At least 10 years’ prior qualified experience within the payments and/or financial services industry.
• Graduate of an established and reputable university, a law degree complemented with a Masters (LLM) in commercial or international law being preferred.
• Track record of success in legal practice in fields drawn from regulation, technology, finance, corporate, commercial and anti-trust at an international law firm, Central Bank and/or other regulator.
• Experience of regulatory affairs in a financial services or payments organization and knowledge of payment system regulation in Asia-Pacific markets.
• Specific interest in growing knowledge of other regional markets and playing a broader based role in areas described above. Prior experience of other markets an advantage.
• Experience of multi-national organizations and a track record that includes operating effectively within a diverse multicultural organization with the highest standards of personal integrity.
• Excellent written and oral communication skills in English. Other language ability an advantage.
• Must demonstrate a proactive, time sensitive, results driven approach in carrying out all responsibilities.

COVID-19 Considerations

We value the safety of each member of our community because we know we’re all in this together. In many locations, which may change over time, we’ve implemented a virtual hiring process and continue to interview candidates by video or phone. In addition, in some locations, only individuals who have been fully vaccinated will be permitted inside Mastercard offices until further notice.

In the US, Mastercard is a government contractor, which may legally require most Mastercard employees to be vaccinated unless a verified approved medical or religious exemption is granted. Further, we are currently making every effort towards having employees return to work in the office 2 days per week, if that makes sense for their team. Everyone must be vaccinated to enter Mastercard offices at this time. Therefore, we expect all candidates to be vaccinated or to be approved for a medical or religious accommodation prior to commencing work at Mastercard.

Corporate Security Responsibility
All activities involving access to Mastercard assets, information, and networks comes with an inherent risk to the organization and, therefore, it is expected that every person working for, or on behalf of, Mastercard is responsible for information security and must:

• Abide by Mastercard’s security policies and practices;
• Ensure the confidentiality and integrity of the information being accessed;
• Report any suspected information security violation or breach, and
• Complete all periodic mandatory security trainings in accordance with Mastercard’s guidelines.