A leading transportation company is seeking a Managing Director (MD) for their leasing business. This role is responsible for the overall leadership, strategic direction, financial performance, governance, and sustainable growth of this business.
In addition, the MD ensures that the company operates profitably, prudently manages credit and asset risk, maintains regulatory compliance, and builds strong relationships with regulators, banking partners, suppliers, key customers and partners and the independent boards in South-East Asia.
Note that this position will be based in South-East Asia and not necessarily Bangkok
Key Responsibilities
Strategic Leadership
- Develop and implement the company's strategic plan aligned with shareholder objectives.
- Identify growth opportunities (new segments, partnerships, geographic expansion).
- Lead business planning and annual budgeting processes.
- Monitor industry trends in the transportation and equipment industry, particularly in relation to leasing and financial services.
- Position the company competitively in pricing, risk appetite, and service delivery.
Financial Performance & Capital Management
- Deliver agreed revenue, profitability, and portfolio growth targets.
- Manage funding lines, banking relationships, and capital structure.
- Ensure strong liquidity management.
- Oversee financial reporting accuracy and integrity.
- Drive cost efficiency and operational leverage.
Credit & Risk Management
- Set and maintain prudent credit underwriting standards.
- Oversee portfolio quality and collections performance.
- Ensure appropriate provisioning and impairment policies.
- Oversee asset recovery and legal matters.
- Maintain robust internal controls and risk governance frameworks.
Sales & Business Development
- Drive origination channels (event display partnerships, direct sales, corporate opportunities).
- Build strong relationships with transportation and equipment distributors and suppliers.
- Develop competitive leasing products tailored to market needs.
- Ensure high customer/partner satisfaction and retention.
Governance & Compliance
- Ensure full compliance with regulatory requirements and licensing conditions.
- Maintain strong corporate governance standards at management and board level.
- Report regularly to the Board on performance, risk, and strategy.
- Implement internal audit and compliance processes as required.
Leadership & Culture
- Build and lead a high-performance management team.
- Establish a culture of accountability, integrity, and customer focus.
- Develop succession planning and talent development initiatives.
- Align incentives with performance and risk management objectives.
Key Stakeholder Relationships
- Board of Directors / Shareholders
- Banking and other funding partners
- Transportation and equipment retailer and supplier networks
- Key corporate partners and clients
- Regulators and government departments
- External lawyers, auditors and advisors
Required Experience & Qualifications
Education
- Bachelor's degree in Finance, Business, Economics, or related field
- MBA or equivalent preferred
Experience
- 10+ years in financial services, leasing, banking, or asset finance
- Senior leadership experience with full P&L responsibility
- Strong knowledge of credit risk and asset-backed financing
- Experience in emerging markets preferred
Competencies & Skills
- Strategic thinking with execution capability
- Strong financial acumen
- Risk management expertise
- Negotiation and stakeholder management skills
- Operational discipline
- High ethical standards and governance mindset
- Ability to scale a small business into a larger platform
