**Our Purpose** _Mastercard powers economies and empowers people in 200+ countries and territories worldwide. Together with our customers, we’re helping build a sustainable economy where everyone can prosper. We support a wide range of digital payments choices, making transactions secure, simple, smart and accessible. Our technology and innovation, partnerships and networks combine to deliver a unique set of products and services that help people, businesses and governments realize their greatest potential._ **Title and Summary** Director, Business Development - Public Sector, Central Asia The Central Asia Countries Cluster is engaging Governments to design and launch broad strategic and targeted use-case programs aimed at digitizing the economy and achieving an efficient, transparent and seamless digital payments infrastructure for the economy. The Role will be based in Kazakhstan working among all Central Asia Countries Cluster with mainly weighing on Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan. The role will be reporting to Eastern Europe Public Sector Vice President in coordination with cluster leaders or country manager. The Government Business Development Lead Role will be responsible for all government relationships with the regulators, government entities, and related entities, across sales and/or solution design, business development, and program oversight. Understanding of Government processes, strong analytical skills, a strategy or BD background, as well as a basic understanding of financial technology and payments solutions is paramount. Strong strategic communications and presentation skills to engage internal and external stakeholders and gain buy-in for execution is key. Ability to work cross functional in a matrix organization and proven delivery proof points have to be clearly showcased. Major accountabilities: • Identify, qualify, develop, and close market-wide or use-case based solutions for government clients on both a solicited an unsolicited basis • In partnership with the local Country Manager, Country BD Lead & local team, and in alignment with the regional Public Sector team, develop a business opportunities pipeline in line with the local market strategy. • Accountable for the development and monitoring of the account plans and KPIs, as well as the program management of the partnership in all of its stages: Discover, Qualify, Prioritize, Plan, Execute, Codify (for new types of opportunities) • Support in developing Quarterly Business Reviews and Annual Budget Planning exercises for the local market • Engage the Government Centre of Excellence and other relevant global corporate units to identify or co-design relevant solutions including commercial and non-commercial assets to be deployed as part of the engagement program. • Participate actively, and lead if needed, in the design of strategic and commercial initiatives for the cluster, focusing on creating sustainable, scalable and repeatable business models. Deliverables: • Lead generation and management as well as development of a BD pipeline and account plans for key accounts • Development of pitch decks and customer-centric narratives, solutions and value propositions • Ongoing monitoring and reporting, in coordination with market and regional units, across country initiatives • On a regular basis, demand analysis for existing and future Mastercard solutions to be provided to the Government CoE • Communication to Country Managers, Regional Leaders, and in-country teams on program status, risks & gaps, as well as escalation management. Key requirements: We are seeking a highly skilled individual with a deep understanding of the political structure and regulatory landscape of local markets, including key players and influencers. The ideal candidate will have a solid grasp of the payment ecosystem and digital economy infrastructure, coupled with a proven business development mindset to drive momentum and deliver results. Key qualifications include: • Strong connections and balanced relationships within the local government sector. • Preference for candidates based in Almaty and Kazakh nationals. • Excellent proficiency in English, Kazakh, and Russian languages. • Experience working with government agencies, managing process improvements, and leading transformative change initiatives. • Proven track record in leading government projects or commercial deals within the assigned region, division, or market. • Expertise in consultative selling with deep knowledge of products, services, and solutions. • Ability to interact adeptly with senior Mastercard stakeholders, ensuring engagement, communication, and transparency of purpose. • Skill in leading complex regional initiatives requiring collaboration across functional, geographical, and cultural lines. • Demonstrated ability to work across divisional boundaries within the assigned region and market. • Self-motivated and thrives in a fast-paced environment, ready to take on stretch goals. • Strong gravitas with exceptional relationship management, influencing, and communication skills. • A Bachelor's degree is required, with an MBA preferred. • Fluency in English and Russian is essential, with an additional Central Asian regional language being a strong plus. Corporate Security Responsibility: All activities involving access to Mastercard assets, information, and networks comes with an inherent risk to the organization and, therefore, it is expected that every person working for, or on behalf of, Mastercard is responsible for information security and must: • Abide by Mastercard’s security policies and practices; • Ensure the confidentiality and integrity of the information being accessed; • Report any suspected information security violation or breach, and • Complete all periodic mandatory security trainings in accordance with Mastercard’s guidelines. **Corporate Security Responsibility** All activities involving access to Mastercard assets, information, and networks comes with an inherent risk to the organization and, therefore, it is expected that every person working for, or on behalf of, Mastercard is responsible for information security and must: + Abide by Mastercard’s security policies and practices; + Ensure the confidentiality and integrity of the information being accessed; + Report any suspected information security violation or breach, and + Complete all periodic mandatory security trainings in accordance with Mastercard’s guidelines.