NED - Wise National Trust (USA) (1)

Company Description

WE’RE A GLOBAL TECH COMPANY WITH A BIG MISSION AND A STARTUP HEART.

Wise plc launched in 2011 under its original name TransferWise.  Fast forward to 2024 - we are 5000 Wisers across 17 countries and 117 nationalities.  We are one of the world’s fastest growing, profitable technology companies and the largest tech company by market capitalisation to ever list in London.

We disrupted an industry and created a new way to move money across borders.  Today, 16 million people and businesses use Wise.  We process over $10 billion in cross-border transactions every month, saving customers over $1.5 billion a year.  We are continuing to grow at pace and to redefine the international money space. 

Since our founding, Wise has worked to make cross-border payments better for people with international lives, from immigrants, to small businesses trying to compete on a global scale, to students studying abroad, to service members sending money home to their families, to vacationers, to countless others. We have stayed true to our mission - making cross-border payments instant, convenient, transparent, and eventually free. To take our mission to the next level, Wise is applying to become an OCC regulated National Trust, and seeks a Non-Executive Director (NED) to drive this process.

"We live in a unique time, where people like you and me can take on the huge problems of the world – and fix them."

Kristo Käärmann, co-founder

Job Description

We’re looking for a NED for Wise’s National Trust to join us and do things differently.

Wise is seeking a Non-Executive Director (NED) to join us in applying for and managing Wise’s US National Trust. This role will involve working with our executive directors to lead the US National Trust license application with the OCC, and managing the Trust after approval.

What you’ll do.

• Join the development of the Trust’s proposed business plan. This will require an understanding of the Trust’s financial position, as well as its risk position given various expected and unexpected market changes. 
• Attend the OCC pre-filing meeting. This will require familiarity with the OCC’s chartering policy and procedural requirements. 
• Submit an Interagency Biographical and Financial Report (IBFR): The OCC requires a background report known as an IBFR for directors (see form here under “Interagency Biographical and Financial Report”). 

Once the Trust application has been approved, you will:

• Sit on the board of directors for the Trust, and regularly attend board and committee meetings. 
• Oversee management of the Trust from an independent perspective.
• Provide effective and entrepreneurial leadership.
• Hold responsibility for knowing the ins and outs of the Trust, and identifying and correcting problems.
• Participate in creating the governance framework around the Trust, including strategic direction, risk culture, and risk appetite.
• Ensure that the company’s obligations towards stakeholders are met.
• Constructively challenge proposals, and objectively scrutinize operational, financial and risk management performance.
• Be able to advise the company through periods of change, and demonstrate a thorough understanding and appreciation of the issues facing a complex and developing organization in a changing environment.
• Must be able to balance the need to remain independent from the day-to-day business, while maintaining a level of knowledge that will enable you to oversee effectively.

Qualifications

The experience, background and competencies needed to succeed in this role:

• Successful experience at a bank or serving as a bank officer at a federally regulated US bank.
• Background in compliance and/or audit, and the ability to identify, assess, monitor, control and mitigate risks to the Trust.
• Experience of operating at a senior level, preferably as a NED or executive director, in a financial services organization.
• Knowledge of the banking industry and financial regulatory system, and have a strong background, knowledge, and experience in business.
• Knowledge of governance and the role of boards, including expectations that come with a regulated role.
• Ability to analyze and interpret complex data, including the Trust’s financial information.
• Ability to lead and participate in making difficult evidence based decisions.
• Strong communication skills.
• Experience and talent demonstrating sound, prudent judgment, and a personal history reflecting responsibility, honesty and integrity.
• Strong leadership skills and the competence, willingness, and ability to be active in advising the proposed institution’s affairs in a safe and sound manner.
• Ideally, you live within 100 miles of Austin, or within the state of Texas, and are a US Citizen.

Additional Information

All your information will be kept confidential according to EEO guidelines.

For everyone, everywhere. We're people building money without borders  — without judgement or prejudice, too. We believe teams are strongest when they are diverse, equitable and inclusive.

We're proud to have a truly international team, and we celebrate our differences.
Inclusive teams help us live our values and make sure every Wiser feels respected, empowered to contribute towards our mission and able to progress in their careers.

If you want to find out more about what it's like to work at Wise visit Wise.Jobs.

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