Head of Payments

Role overview

This is a senior leadership opportunity for a payments expert to build and scale a global payments function across several markets. The role is focused on making the payments stack more effective, dependable, and growth-oriented while improving the customer checkout experience and supporting revenue growth. It combines strategy, operations, and product optimisation in a fast-moving international setting, with close partnership across Product, Engineering, Finance, Operations, and Support.

The position is being handled by a partner company, which will manage all applications and subsequent hiring steps. The successful candidate will be based in the United Kingdom.

Key accountabilities

• Set the direction for the worldwide payments strategy so it supports wider business growth goals.
• Oversee and improve the full payments ecosystem, covering PSPs, cards, wallets, bank transfers, and other alternative payment options.
• Enhance payment experience and interface design to reduce friction and lift conversion through the checkout journey.
• Refine routing rules, provider allocation, and transaction processing paths to improve authorisation rates and lower costs.
• Track performance across markets, issuers, and providers to spot patterns and identify improvement opportunities.
• Negotiate and manage PSP partnerships and commercial terms to secure stronger pricing, reliability, and service quality.
• Lead localisation efforts, including local acquiring and payment methods tailored to specific markets.
• Assess, integrate, and continuously manage PSPs to ensure they perform effectively.
• Create strong reporting structures for performance, cost, and reliability metrics across payments.
• Maintain compliance with payment laws, security expectations, and audit obligations.
• Work with Product, Technology, Finance, Operations, and Support teams to strengthen the full payment flow.
• Put scalable processes, controls, and documentation in place to support growth.
• Guide and develop the payments team, including goal setting and professional development.

Candidate profile

• Significant experience in payments, fintech, or financial services across global or multi-market environments.
• Deep knowledge of payment systems, PSPs, acquiring, routing optimisation, and transaction lifecycle management.
• Demonstrated success improving approval rates, conversion, and payment cost efficiency.
• Hands-on experience managing PSPs, banks, and other payment partners, including negotiations.
• Strong analytical ability with the confidence to turn payment data into practical actions.
• Good understanding of compliance, security standards, and regulatory requirements in payments.
• A product-focused mindset with awareness of payment UX and checkout journey improvements.
• Experience leading cross-functional initiatives with Product, Engineering, and Finance teams.
• Proven leadership background in building and scaling high-performing teams.
• Strong communication, stakeholder management, and decision-making skills.

Benefits and additional information

• Competitive pay package with performance-linked incentives.
• The chance to own and grow a global payments function with major business impact.
• Flexible working setup, with remote or hybrid arrangements depending on the organisation’s structure.
• Health insurance plus wellness support initiatives.
• Learning and development allowance to support career growth.
• Exposure to international markets and complex payment environments.
• A collaborative, high-growth workplace with a strong ownership culture.

Application and data notice

Your application will be screened through an AI-assisted matching process to quickly and fairly assess fit against the role’s core requirements. Top-matching candidates are shortlisted and shared with the hiring employer, while final hiring decisions, interviews, and assessments are handled by their internal team.

By submitting an application, you consent to the processing of your personal data for candidate evaluation and sharing relevant information with the employer, in line with applicable data protection laws including GDPR. You may exercise your data rights, including access, correction, deletion, and objection, at any time.

AI tools may also support parts of the hiring process, such as application review, résumé analysis, response assessment, and identifying possible inconsistencies or verification signals. These tools assist the recruitment process but do not replace human judgement; final hiring decisions are made by people.