At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead the Payments function, ensuring robust and scalable services for clients and stakeholders.
- Company: Aztec, a diverse and inclusive company focused on operational excellence.
- Benefits: Flexible working, generous holiday allowance, private medical insurance, and professional development support.
- Other info: Collaborative culture with opportunities for career growth and global work experiences.
- Why this job: Join a dynamic team and make a real impact in the payments landscape.
- Qualifications: Significant banking experience and expertise in international payment systems required.
The predicted salary is between 63000 - 77000 £ per year.
At Aztec, we’re committed to building and nurturing a diverse and inclusive workforce where everyone feels valued, respected, and able to grow.
We know that different backgrounds, perspectives, and experiences strengthen our business and we welcome applications from all individuals.
So, if your experience doesn’t exactly match with every part of the job description, but you are excited about the role, we would still like to hear from you.
If you are passionate, curious, innovative and data driven, you could still be a good fit.
About the role
The purpose of this role is to lead the Payments function within the Banking Domain, ensuring it is robust, scalable and aligned to the Group’s strategic growth ambitions.
The role is responsible for delivering an outstanding payments service to clients and internal stakeholders, while strengthening operational resilience, governance, technology enablement and service performance across jurisdictions.
Key Role Responsibilities
- Lead and manage the end-to-end payments process, including the operating model, controls, configuration, performance management and continuous improvement
- Develop the future payments offering, ensuring it supports the Group’s strategic growth, jurisdictional requirements and client service ambitions
- Provide leadership and subject matter expertise across international payment rails, cross-border processing, payment hub solutions and related banking infrastructure
- Support the selection, implementation and ongoing optimisation of Saa S treasury management systems and payment technologies
- Manage relationships with key banking and technology providers, including negotiations to improve commercial, operational and service outcomes
- Work closely with Risk, Compliance, Technology, Operations and client-facing teams to maintain a strong governance and control framework
- Implement contingency and resilience plans to minimise disruption and support continuity of critical payment services
- Build and maintain reporting, dashboards and management information to monitor performance, identify risks and drive service improvement
- Ensure departmental OKRs, service standards and control obligations are consistently met
Skills, knowledge, expertise
- Significant banking experience, ideally gained in a multi-jurisdictional financial services, fund administration, corporate services or banking environment
- Extensive experience of international payment systems, cross-border processing, payment messaging standards and banking connectivity
- Practical experience of Saa S treasury management systems, payment hubs, payment workflow tools and related implementation or optimisation activity
- Strong understanding of the payments processing cycle, operational controls, reconciliation, exception management and client service requirements
- Sound knowledge of relevant laws, regulations, industry standards and common practices across payments and banking operations
- Strong ownership and accountability, with the judgement to make decisions and drive outcomes in a fast-moving environment
- Excellent relationship-building skills, with the ability to work effectively across the Banking Domain, Technology, Risk, Compliance, Operations and client-facing teams
- Experience leading high-quality operational service teams across multiple jurisdictions to support business growth and service excellence
- Understanding of the asset servicing environment and the jurisdictions in which Aztec operates
- A strong service delivery mindset, with the ability and desire to deliver exceptional client service at scale
- Solution-oriented critical thinking and strong problem-solving capability
- Excellent organisational skills, with the discipline to meet deadlines, prioritise effectively and allocate resources efficiently
- Excellent attention to detail and a strong control mindset
- Understanding of the Aztec Risk Framework, including AML, and a commitment to internal policies, procedures and jurisdictional regulatory requirements
- Strong people leadership and management skills, with the ability to recruit, motivate, develop and retain a high-performing Payments team
We will provide relevant in-house training and support for professional development.
You will need to be quick to learn new systems and confident building strong working relationships with colleagues, clients and external partners, as collaboration is central to how we deliver high-quality service.
We understand that everyone has different needs, and that’s why our employee package includes a variety of benefits.
In addition to a competitive salary, here are some examples of the benefits that we may offer for our permanent roles:
Benefits
- Discretionary bonus scheme
- Flexible, hybrid working
- Ability to work abroad for up to 3 weeks per annum
- Generous holiday allowance
- Pension scheme
- Private medical insurance, including eye care
- Life assurance (death in service and critical illness benefit)
- Worldwide travel insurance
- Health and wellbeing programmes
- On-site parking
Progress your career with a company that will support you every step of the way.
At Aztec, we provide talented and dynamic individuals with the opportunity to build a rewarding career.
We’re an ambitious company, committed to building long‑term partnerships with our clients and delivering operational excellence at every stage of their fund’s lifecycle.
Our culture is what makes us a standout place to work.
Our people are at the heart of our business: putting clients first; delivering service excellence; working as one team; building lasting connections and embodying our values and purpose.
Join us and discover what makes us the bright alternative.
#J-18808-Ljbffr
Associate Director, Payments employer: Aztec Group
Aztec Group is an exceptional employer that prioritises employee growth and development, offering a flexible hybrid work environment that fosters collaboration and innovation. With a strong emphasis on mentoring, you will have the opportunity to enhance your expertise while contributing to meaningful projects and building lasting relationships with clients. The supportive work culture encourages continuous learning and process improvements, making it an ideal place for those seeking a rewarding career in fund accounting.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Associate Director, Payments
✨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 Aztec Group. 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 Associate Director, Payments
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 Aztec Group.
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 Aztec Group'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 Aztec Group
✨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 Aztec Group.
✨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 Aztec Group 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 Aztec Group 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.
