At a Glance
- Tasks: Drive commercial strategies and negotiate partnerships in the payments sector.
- Company: ACE Money Transfer, a leading UK-based remittance service provider.
- Benefits: Remote work, competitive salary, and opportunities for professional growth.
- Other info: Collaborative environment with a focus on innovation and strategic impact.
- Why this job: Join a dynamic team and shape the future of payments globally.
- Qualifications: 3-5 years in commercial roles within payments or fintech; strong negotiation skills.
The predicted salary is between 60000 - 80000 £ per year.
Job type: Remote
Reporting to: Head of Payments & Banking Infrastructure
Team: Commercial & Strategy — PBI
Direct reports: Commercial Analyst (1)
About Us: ACE Money Transfer is a UK-based multinational company headquartered in Manchester, United Kingdom. ACE Money Transfer provides online remittance services to individuals in 29 countries across the UK, Europe, Canada, and Australia, enabling them to send money across borders in over 100 countries.
About the Role: This is a senior individual contributor role sitting at the commercial heart of PBI. You will be the right hand to the Head of PBI — translating strategic vision into commercial plans, sourcing and negotiating with new payments partners, and owning the renegotiation pipeline across the existing partner stack. Your primary role is finding, structuring, and closing the right commercial arrangements that power ACE's payments stack. You will also attend strategic Quarterly Business Reviews and major partner reviews alongside the Head of PBI, providing senior commercial context and continuity — without crossing into day-to-day performance management. Furthermore, you will revise renegotiation windows and partner performance specifically around cost of sale and revenue link. You will be supported by a dedicated Commercial Analyst who feeds you data on FX trader performance, acquirer costs, open banking economics, and revenue leakage — leaving you free to focus on strategy, negotiation, and commercial decision-making.
Key Responsibilities
- Strategy & Long-Term Planning
- Work directly with the Head of PBI to develop the annual commercial plan and contribute to the 3-year payments infrastructure roadmap.
- Translate strategic direction from the Head of PBI into structured, actionable plans with clear milestones and owners.
- Proactively identify gaps in ACE's payments infrastructure by engaging cross-functionally with Partner Success, Partner Onboarding, Operations, Finance etc.
- Bring forward commercial solutions — not just problems — with implementation pathways and business logic.
- Own the commercial narrative for the PBI function, including contribution to the monthly CEO Brief and quarterly commercial reviews.
- New Partner Sourcing & Negotiations
- Identify, approach, and commercially evaluate new payments partners — card acquirers, APM providers, open banking rails, FX counterparties, and banking partners.
- Involvement in all commercial negotiations: from first contact and term negotiation through to handshake before handover to PO. Build and maintain a live pipeline of prospective partners with commercial assessments and prioritisation rationale.
- Develop business cases for new partner additions including cost modelling, volume projections, and break-even analysis for Head of PBI sign-off.
- Ensure all new commercial arrangements protect ACE's margins.
- Renegotiations & Portfolio Optimisation
- Own the renegotiation pipeline for existing partners — tracking contract renewal dates, rate review windows, and volume-based tier unlock opportunities.
- Use analyst-supplied data on FX costs, acquirer pricing, AR trends, and revenue leakage to build renegotiation mandates and target rate improvements.
- Present renegotiation outcomes and savings to the Head of PBI with clear before/after commercial analysis.
- Identify underperforming or overpriced partners and bring replacement or consolidation recommendations.
- Strategic Partner Presence (Post Go-Live)
- Attend Quarterly Business Reviews and major partner strategy sessions alongside the Head of PBI.
- Provide commercial context and continuity at the senior level without involvement in operational or day-to-day performance management.
- Feed strategic insights from partner conversations back into the annual plan and roadmap.
- Commercial Reporting & Team Direction
- Manage and direct the Commercial Analyst — setting priorities, reviewing outputs, and ensuring data quality underpins all commercial decisions.
- Maintain the renegotiation pipeline tracker and new partner pipeline, keeping both current and accurately reported.
- Own the commercial sections of the monthly CEO Brief and quarterly scorecard.
- Provide clear, concise reporting to the Head of PBI on savings delivered, pipeline status, and strategic progress.
What We're Looking For
- Essential 3-5 years of experience in a commercial, partnerships, or business development role within payments, fintech, or financial services.
- Proven track record of leading commercial negotiations with card acquirers, payment processors, banks, or FX counterparties.
- Strong understanding of payment economics — MDR structures, interchange, scheme fees, FX spreads, and open banking pricing.
- Experience working cross-functionally with operations, technology, and compliance teams to structure and close commercial deals.
- Ability to build rigorous business cases and commercial models independently, without reliance on a finance team.
- Excellent written and verbal communication — comfortable presenting commercial analysis and recommendations to senior leadership.
- Highly organised with the ability to manage multiple negotiation tracks simultaneously without dropping detail.
Commercial Manager - Payments in Manchester employer: ACE Money Transfer
ACE Money Transfer is an exceptional employer, offering a dynamic remote work environment that fosters innovation and collaboration within the payments and banking infrastructure sector. With a strong focus on employee growth, ACE provides opportunities for professional development and strategic involvement in shaping the future of cross-border remittance services. The supportive culture, combined with competitive benefits and a commitment to excellence, makes ACE an attractive choice for those seeking meaningful and rewarding careers in fintech.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Commercial Manager - Payments in Manchester
✨Tap into Campus Networks
If you're still in uni, don’t forget to engage with your campus's career services and attend finance-related events. Banks often do presentations and recruitment drives on campus, so put yourself out there and make use of these opportunities to show off your passion for the field.
✨Get Certified
Consider pursuing relevant certifications like the CFA or ACCA while you’re job hunting. They not only beef up your CV but also connect you with professional bodies which can lead to networking opportunities and even job openings in banking and financial services.
✨Connect on Professional Platforms
Join finance-focused groups on platforms like LinkedIn and engage in discussions. This can really help you stand out from the crowd, allowing potential employers to see your knowledge and interest in industry trends. Plus, you might stumble upon job postings shared exclusively within the group.
✨Apply Directly and Be Proactive
Don’t shy away from reaching out directly to firms like ACE Money Transfer. Use their websites and apply through them, but also consider following up with a polite email to express your enthusiasm. Being proactive can make a huge difference in getting noticed in the competitive financial services sector.
We think you need these skills to ace Commercial Manager - Payments in Manchester
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Off Your Numbers!:In the banking and financial services world, quantifiable achievements are key. Make sure your CV highlights your grades in relevant subjects, any financial certifications you hold, and specific projects where you've delivered measurable results. Employers love to see how your skills translate into real-world success.
Tailor Your Cover Letter to the Role:When applying for a full-time position, your cover letter should make a direct connection between your experience and the job description. Don't just state your enthusiasm for finance—dive into how your background in banking or financial analysis sets you apart. Let your passion shine through while being specific about what you can bring to ACE Money Transfer.
Include Relevant Financial Software Experience:If you've worked with financial modelling tools or software like Excel, SAP, or specific analytical tools during your studies or internships, bring that up! Highlighting your proficiency can really make your application pop and show you're ready to hit the ground running in a full-time role.
Research and Reflect:Before hitting that 'apply' button on ACE Money Transfer's website, do a little digging. Look up their recent projects, values, and culture. Reflecting their ethos in your application can make a huge difference and show you’re genuinely interested in being part of the team!
How to prepare for a job interview at ACE Money Transfer
✨Brush Up on Financial Analysis Skills
Make sure you're well-versed in financial concepts and analytical techniques relevant to banking and financial services. Get comfortable with tools like Excel for modelling or financial forecasting, as technical questions in this area are common during interviews with ACE Money Transfer.
✨Prepare for Case Studies
Expect to tackle case studies that demonstrate your problem-solving skills in real-world banking scenarios. Familiarise yourself with the types of problems you might face—think risk assessments or investment evaluations—and be ready to articulate your thought process clearly.
✨Show Your Passion for Finance
Since this is a full-time position, employers at ACE Money Transfer will be keen to see your genuine interest in finance. Be prepared to discuss recent industry trends or news articles that excite you, showcasing your enthusiasm and engagement with the field.
✨Network with Industry Professionals
Before your interview, reach out to current or former ACE Money Transfer employees on platforms like LinkedIn. They'll offer unique insights into the company's culture and the interview process, which can give us a delightful edge in showcasing a good fit for the team.
