Head of Financial Operations – Japan

About the role

Block’s Financial Operations team ensures that money moves reliably, efficiently and compliantly across banks, card networks and payment partners. As Head of Financial Operations – Japan, you will define and execute the regional strategy, own critical partner relationships and build the operational resilience needed for Square’s growth in Japan.

Key responsibilities

• Translate Square Japan’s Financial Operations strategy into measurable market outcomes and lead execution of regional priorities.
• Own end‑to‑end performance of incoming and outgoing payments, including reliability, settlement, incident management, controls and cost efficiency.
• Build and manage senior relationships with banks, acquirers, card networks, payment providers, regulators and industry bodies.
• Lead commercial and operational negotiations to support product roadmap, risk requirements and cost objectives.
• Partner with Product, Engineering, Risk, Compliance, Legal, Finance, Marketing and Operations to launch new capabilities and resolve market‑specific challenges.
• Monitor regulatory and industry changes in Japan and coordinate internal responses.

Required profile

• 15+ years of experience in fintech, payments, banking or related financial services.
• Deep knowledge of Japan’s payments ecosystem, including card networks, acquirers, issuers, processors, banks and regulators.
• Proven track record building senior relationships with partners, regulators and industry bodies.
• Strong commercial judgment with experience negotiating complex agreements.
• Executive‑level communication skills in English and business‑level Japanese.
• Ability to lead cross‑functional initiatives and deliver measurable outcomes in a highly regulated environment.