Zsolt Bessenyei

Experience

• 

  GE

  Jan 1999 - Jan 2001

  FMP

  FMP Assignments:GE Power Systems, Florence-Italy - Audit Staff PilotBudapest Bank, Budapest - Project, fraud managementGE Lighting Tungsram, Budapest - TreasuryGE Lighting, London-UK - Manufacturing financeGE Lighting Tungsram, Budapest - Commercial finance

• 

  GE

  Jan 2002 - May 2004

  Financial analysis, control and reporting of Eastern European medical equipment production and wholesales activityLead regional accounting team (chief accountant, 2 accountants) Full balance sheet, income statement and cash-flow reportingManufacturing analysis of engine part repair processes

  • Lead Financial Analyst

    Jan 2003 - May 2004

  • Business analyst

    Jan 2002 - Dec 2002
• 

  RTL Group

  Jul 2005 - Mar 2006

  Chief controller

  Financial control and budgeting, group consolidationFull scale reporting to shareholders and authoritiesLead the controlling department (6 employees) – manage contracts, recruitment, evaluations and career developmentLead efficiency projects, cash-flow and investment management

• 

  Citi

  Apr 2006 - now

  I excelled in managing the EMEA corporate card program, focusing on streamlining financial processes within the Shared Service of Excellence in Budapest. My role involved driving cross-departmental collaborations across solution sales, card products, operations, legal, HR, vendors, and regulatory bodies to ensure seamless integration and efficiency. I led several global projects, including country-specific implementations, quality assurance initiatives, card misuse prevention strategies, and efforts to enhance client satisfaction.One of my notable achievements was launching a global travel management initiative, which was honored as Project of the Year in the Citi Travel program. I cultivated strategic alliances with key vendors and travel industry partners, such as airlines, hotels, and travel integrators, and integrated data systems to optimize card management processes across the MEA region. Additionally, I empowered three program analysts by providing strategic leadership and guidance, significantly improving their operational workflows. Show less As a leader, I spearheaded the B2B sales cycle for card and cash management products, identifying potential clients, conducting pre-RFP analyses, crafting RFP responses, and engaging with key stakeholders. My role involved delivering impactful presentations, devising pricing strategies, and finalizing deals. I provided tailored solutions for small businesses, corporations, financial institutions, and government entities across Central Europe and the MEA region, working closely with senior management, regional leaders, clients, regulators, and vendors.By facilitating complex deals throughout the EMEA region and developing B2B banking strategies, I negotiated strategic partnerships with government entities to enhance our offerings in card services, cash management, and data integration. I expanded the sales pipeline by 35%, increased annual revenue by 25%, and achieved a 75% success rate in RFP submissions. Additionally, I organized payment industry conferences, workshops, and client events to boost client engagement. My efforts led to a 28% increase in client satisfaction and an 18% reduction in implementation time by deploying over 50 card and cash programs across EMEA, including 15 in the Middle East and Africa. Show less My leadership was marked by a commitment to direct electronic banking and service operations for corporate clients and financial institutions, developing and implementing a performance evaluation system for my 15 direct reports. This system standardized service criteria and significantly enhanced team efficiency. I managed client phone interactions, resolved VIP client escalations, and addressed urgent bank platform issues to uphold high service standards.Through client roundtable discussions, I identified product deficiencies and client challenges, providing actionable insights to product development and process improvement teams. I achieved a 15% increase in client satisfaction within six months by introducing a new VOC tracking system, conducting staff training, and applying a client excellence strategy for our global clients. Show less Driving the sales process for a corporate card, liquidity, payment, and trade products, I aligned our offerings with both client needs and company goals to ensure optimal outcomes. I spearheaded B2B product campaigns, organized workshops, and managed conferences, focusing on enhancing sales performance and expanding market reach while overseeing seamless data and system integration.I successfully increased annual deal success rates by 20% through the onboarding of over 100 new mid-size suppliers for regional programs. By developing and delivering tailored card and cash solutions for multinational clients, financial institutions, and government agencies, I addressed both local and global needs effectively. I managed the entire RFP lifecycle, including strategic evaluations, stakeholder engagement, proposal creation, pricing strategy, and deal closures. Additionally, I implemented a supplier finance strategy and led working capital workshops, refining financial management practices for multinational clients and suppliers. Show less I’ve successfully managed the product lifecycle and system integration for cash and card offerings, driving significant performance enhancements. One of my key accomplishments was pioneering and launching a cross-border payment solution and the first corporate debit card in Central Europe. This initiative involved integrating global and local systems to provide seamless online access and streamline account management, setting a new standard in the region.In addition, I delivered compelling product vision and roadmaps to senior leadership, ensuring alignment with company goals during planning sessions. I meticulously evaluated technology budget expenditures, tracked project progress, and utilized market trend analysis to guide product development and strategic decisions. My efforts also included advancing the cash pool system and automating the interest reallocation process, which saved two clerks an entire day of manual work each month. Show less

  • EMEA Corporate Card Product Lead

    Aug 2017 - now

  • Solution Sales and Implementation Head

    Jun 2014 - Jul 2017

  • Client Delivery Head

    Oct 2013 - Jun 2014

  • Product Sales Manager

    Aug 2009 - Sept 2013

  • Senior Product Manager

    Apr 2006 - Jul 2009