Job Description

Schemes Director - Payments

Overview

A leading financial services organisation with a growing Merchant Services division is seeking a highly skilled Schemes Director to lead and manage scheme relationships across payments networks (including Visa, Mastercard, Amex and others). The organisation provides payment solutions to businesses of all sizes and is undergoing significant investment and strategic growth.



Reporting to the Head of Commercial and Pricing, the Schemes Director will develop and execute the schemes strategy, build a high-performing function, and manage commercial and operational relationships with card schemes and partners. The role requires deep expertise in acquiring, scheme economics, payments infrastructure and network strategy.

Key Responsibilities

Develop and lead schemes strategy

: Build a best-in-class schemes function, working cross-functionally with product, sales, portfolio management, revenue operations and pricing to deliver growth ambitions.

Own scheme relationships

: Act as senior lead for all commercial and strategic relationships with key schemes (Visa, Mastercard, Amex, Diners, JCB, UPI, etc.), managing joint growth initiatives.

Provide specialist advisory

: Deliver internal and merchant-facing expertise on scheme rules, compliance, capabilities and commercial models across the customer lifecycle.

Drive scheme initiatives

: Partner with product, platform and pricing teams alongside external processing partners to prioritise and implement scheme changes, ensuring innovation, compliance and minimising leakage.

Communicate scheme developments

: Keep business stakeholders and key merchant clients aware of scheme changes, upcoming initiatives and developments across the payment networks.

Manage regulatory requirements

: Lead engagement with scheme-related regulatory activity, ensuring timely responses and cross-business coordination.

Optimise scheme commercials

: Own and optimise scheme cost structures, working closely with pricing teams to improve financial performance and control.

Experience & Skills Required

Strong commercial knowledge of acquiring and card payments 5-7+ years of direct scheme experience in a relevant payments business Proven ability to scale scheme relationships and drive commercial outcomes Experience creating operational best practices and frameworks Track record in people leadership and team development Excellent problem solving, communication and executive stakeholder management skills

Benefits

Competitive salary and performance-based rewards Generous pension contribution Flexible benefits package Private health cover 30 days' annual leave plus public holidays Strong commitment to professional development and career growth Inclusive culture and equal opportunities employer * Reasonable adjustments provided for applicants with disabilities