Managing Director, Payments Regulatory Change Management (Japanese Speaking)

Global Payment Control Office

To enhance MUFG's ability to adapt to changes in payment regulations and frameworks, the Global Payment Control Office (GPCO) will be established in HO on April 1, 2026. The functions of GPCO are:

• Collect information on regulatory and system changes and screen local response policies (validity confirmation);
• Support the launch of key projects and oversee the execution;
• Manage the risk and operation of Payment and Settlement framework the Bank is participating;
• Conduct research on external trends and formulate strategies for digital transformation.

Due to the complexity of EMEA payment regulations, GPCO is considering hiring locally hired staff in EMEA who will report into HO to better support GPCO function.

Your impact

You will lead the Payments Regulatory Change Management function for the UK and Europe, with overall accountability for regulatory monitoring, strategic response formulation, governance, and execution oversight. The role serves as the senior point of accountability for engagement with internal and external stakeholders and ensures that regulatory changes are translated into effective and timely business and system responses.

Key Responsibilities

• Provide overall leadership and strategic direction for the Payments Regulatory Change Management team covering the UK and European regions.
• Oversee continuous monitoring of payments-related regulatory and market infrastructure developments (e.g., UK, EU, and pan-European payment schemes and regulations).
• Sponsor and approve regulatory impact assessments and high-level response strategies in coordination with global and regional stakeholders.
• Review and challenge proposed regulatory response policies and ensure alignment with the Bank’s global strategy, risk appetite, and governance framework.
• Lead and support the process of obtaining formal internal approvals for regulatory response strategies through relevant committees and governance bodies.
• Act as executive sponsor for major regulatory-driven system development and change initiatives.
• Provide senior-level oversight of execution, including escalation management for delivery risks, issues, and dependencies.
• Represent the Bank in senior internal forums and, where appropriate, external industry or regulatory discussions related to payments regulation.
• Develop and mentor senior team members, fostering a strong control, execution, and collaboration culture.
• Serve as a senior support and advisory function to the Payment Accountable Executive appointed in London, providing regulatory insight, governance leadership, and oversight support to ensure effective accountability and delivery.

Work Experience

Essential: +10 years work experience in a financial institution.

Skills and Experience

Functional / Technical Competencies:

• Fluent Japanese verbally and in writing.
• Extensive experience in transaction banking, payments, or financial market infrastructure within a global financial institution.
• Deep understanding of UK and European payments regulations, schemes, and regulatory change processes.
• Proven experience in senior leadership roles, including governance, decision-making, and executive stakeholder management.
• Strong track record of sponsoring and overseeing large-scale regulatory or technology change programmes.
• Excellent communication, leadership, and judgment skills.

Education / Qualifications

Bachelor's Degree

Personal Requirements

• Excellent communication skills.
• Results driven, with a strong sense of accountability.
• A proactive, motivated approach.
• The ability to operate with urgency and prioritise work accordingly.
• Strong decision-making skills, the ability to demonstrate sound judgement.
• A structured and logical approach to work.
• Strong problem-solving skills.
• A creative and innovative approach to work.
• Excellent interpersonal skills.
• The ability to manage large workloads and tight deadlines.
• Excellent attention to detail and accuracy.
• A calm approach, with the ability to perform well in a pressurised environment.
• Strong numerical skills.
• Excellent Microsoft Office skills (especially Excel & PowerPoint).
• A confident approach, with the ability to provide clear direction to the team.
• Excellent managerial/leadership experience.
• The ability to lead a high performing team.
• A strategic approach, with the ability to lead and motivate the team.
• The ability to articulate and implement the vision/strategy for GPCO.

Legal Statement

MUFG is committed to embracing diversity and building an inclusive culture where all employees are valued, respected and their opinions count. We support the principles of equality, diversity and inclusion in recruitment and employment, and oppose all forms of discrimination on the grounds of age, sex, gender, sexual orientation, disability, pregnancy and maternity, race, gender reassignment, religion or belief and marriage or civil partnership. We make our recruitment decisions in a non-discriminatory manner in accordance with our commitment to identifying the right skills for the right role and our obligations under the law.