Employee Airtime: Get to know our Financial Partnerships Manager in Singapore, Jee Lee Koh

Get to know Singapore's Financial Partnerships Manager, Jee Lee Koh.

Jee Lee, you joined us from a completely different industry. What prompted the career switch and what brought you here?

Like many other fresh graduates, I started off my career as a Consultant at one of the big four consulting giants. It was a stable job, but over time I found myself yearning for a role where I would be able to better witness first-hand the impact of my day-to-day contributions. 

Upon reflection of what I wanted out of my career, I figured it was time for me to step out of my comfort zone and try something new, and that brought me to Airwallex. Two years in, I’m glad I made the decision to take the career leap. There has been a steep learning curve, but it has also pushed me to expand my horizons and grow beyond what I ever thought was imaginable.

After close to 2 years with Airwallex, what continues to excite you about the company?

I’m always excited by the endless growth possibilities at Airwallex, especially in my role where I’m constantly collaborating with numerous team members across the globe and building new global partnerships. I believe Airwallex is a company that continues to pursue innovation and encourages everyone to take on new challenges. I’m incredibly proud to be a part of this journey.

What does a typical day in your financial partnerships role look like?

The financial partners (that our team works with) form an integral foundation for Airwallex’s suite of products. It’s vital for me and my team to build and maintain deep relationships with our financial partners every day, while also working cross-functionally with internal stakeholders to achieve Airwallex’s strategic goals. 

Tell us about some of your proudest moments at Airwallex.

The most rewarding aspect of my job is being able to see the decisions I make actually get implemented, and in turn, make a tangible impact on our business. 

One milestone that really stands out was being able to witness our debut in Singapore. Late last year, we clinched the Major Payment Institution license from MAS which was a massive win for the organisation. Being able to secure such an important license has been extremely empowering and meaningful, not just for the Singapore team, but also for our global colleagues who worked very hard for it.

What do you enjoy most about working with the Singapore team?

Everyone is fun and enjoys collaborating! Since joining, I have seen the team double (or even close to triple) in headcount and I’m constantly amazed by how every new joiner is so driven and talented – yet very down-to-earth. We have employees spanning across numerous departments, but the lines of communication are always kept open so there is never a barrier in engaging with one another.

I also love the autonomy and trust my manager has placed on me to spearhead projects and initiatives – it’s really rewarding to go out and try to solve problems while owning the success of your own contributions.

Outside of Airwallex, what keeps you busy?

Beyond the work I do at Airwallex, I enjoy spending quality time with my family and friends – this has been a delightful upside of the pandemic. 

The phrase “master of none” really resonates with me as I like to try a bit of everything just to keep myself active and curious, but nothing beats being able to travel and experience different countries and cultures, which I can’t wait to do now that borders have opened up again!

Looking to take the next step in your career? Check out our careers page for open roles.