At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead innovative payments transformation and design scalable payment solutions.
- Company: Capco, a global leader in technology and business consulting.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, health benefits, flexible holidays, and continuous learning opportunities.
- Other info: Join a dynamic team with excellent career growth potential.
- Why this job: Shape the future of payments in a collaborative and inclusive environment.
- Qualifications: Experience in payment platforms and modern architecture patterns.
The predicted salary is between 72000 - 108000 £ per year.
Location: London (Hybrid) | Practice Area: Technology & Engineering | Type: Permanent
Lead innovative payments transformation across financial services.
About Capco
Capco is a global leader in technology and business consulting, dedicated to driving digital innovation and transformation in financial services. We’ve partnered with over 100 clients worldwide - from pioneering fintechs to established global institutions - helping them adapt, compete, and scale in a rapidly evolving industry. With more than 30 offices globally, we combine deep expertise in banking, payments, capital markets, insurance, wealth and asset management, and energy with an agile, inclusive, and entrepreneurial culture.
Role Overview
You will play a central role in shaping and delivering some of our clients’ most critical payments transformation programmes, applying your expertise in enterprise and solution architecture alongside your deep knowledge of payments. You will help modernise core payment platforms and enable new digital payment capabilities while guiding clients through complex regulatory, operational, and technology change. Your work will influence how banks and financial institutions build, operate, and innovate across domestic and international payment ecosystems.
Working closely with engineers, you will design scalable and resilient payment solutions while helping senior stakeholders shape long-term payments strategies and investment decisions. You will also lead high-performing teams, mentor junior technologists, and contribute to the growth of our Technology and Engineering Practice through thought leadership, community engagement, and supporting new client opportunities.
Required Experience
To succeed in this role, you should have proven experience in:
- Designing or modernising payment platforms for domestic, international, real-time, on-us, and card-based flows (e.g., A2A), and working with leading vendors (e.g., Form3).
- Major payment schemes and networks such as Faster Payments, Bacs, CHAPS, SWIFT, SEPA, card schemes, Open Banking services, and Confirmation of Payee.
- Architecting highly available and resilient systems capable of high-volume processing and compliant with modern messaging standards (e.g., ISO 20022).
- Working across other areas of financial services or bank architecture, with an ability to contribute to cross-domain or non-payments initiatives when necessary.
- Applying modern distributed architecture patterns (e.g., microservices, event streaming, containerisation, and zero-trust architectures) across hybrid environments.
- Delivering payments transformation initiatives, including defining technology strategies, roadmaps, migration from legacy formats, with awareness of the regulatory horizon.
- Building trusted, senior relationships and influencing strategic technology and investment decisions.
- Working in agile delivery models with modern delivery practices (e.g., DevOps).
- Applying recognised frameworks and methodologies (e.g., TOGAF and Domain-Driven Design).
While not mandatory, experience in the following areas is highly beneficial:
- Senior consulting experience in payments transformation programmes.
- Leading pre-sales engagements, including shaping proposals, and commercial estimates for large-scale payments initiatives.
- Awareness of emerging technologies, including digital wallets, tokenisation, embedded finance, and AI-driven fraud or risk capabilities.
- Knowledge of financial crime AML controls, payment fraud prevention, and security considerations within payment ecosystems.
- Exposure to international payment ecosystems beyond the UK and Europe (e.g., US ACH, RTP, or FedNow).
- Certifications in relevant technologies, architecture disciplines, or frameworks (e.g., TOGAF or AWS).
Why Join Capco?
At Capco, you’ll be part of a collaborative, entrepreneurial, and inclusive culture working with Tier 1 financial services enterprises on impactful and enriching projects. We offer a competitive, people-first benefits package to support your growth as both a technologist and a consultant.
Our benefits include:
- Core benefits: discretionary bonus, competitive pension, health and dental insurance, life insurance, and critical illness cover.
- Mental health: access to CareFirst, Unmind, Aviva consultations, and in-house first aiders.
- Family-friendly: maternity, adoption, shared parental leave, plus paid leave for sickness, pregnancy loss, fertility treatment, menopause, and bereavement.
- Family care: 8 complimentary backup care sessions for emergency childcare or elder care.
- Holiday flexibility: 5 weeks of annual leave with the option to buy or sell days.
- Continuous learning: minimum 40 hours of annual training, including workshops, certifications, e-learning, and ongoing business coaching.
- Extra perks: Gympass (Wellhub), travel insurance, Tastecard, season ticket loans, and Cycle to Work scheme.
Inclusion at Capco
We’re committed to making our recruitment process accessible and straightforward. If you need adjustments at any stage, please let us know. We value each person’s unique perspective and contribution. At Capco, we believe that being yourself is your greatest strength. Our #BeYourselfAtWork culture encourages individuality and collaboration—a mindset that shapes how we work with clients and each other every day.
Principal Payments Architect employer: Capco
Capco is an excellent employer for those looking to make a significant impact in the banking sector, particularly in London where innovation meets tradition. With a strong focus on employee growth through professional training and a supportive work culture that values collaboration and stakeholder engagement, Capco ensures that its team members are well-equipped to lead transformative projects. The hybrid working model further enhances work-life balance, making it an attractive place for professionals seeking meaningful and rewarding employment.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Principal Payments Architect
✨Network Like a Pro
Get out there and connect with people in the payments and financial services space. Attend industry events, webinars, or even local meetups. You never know who might have the inside scoop on job openings or can put in a good word for you!
✨Show Off Your Skills
When you get the chance to chat with potential employers, make sure to highlight your experience with payment platforms and architecture. Share specific examples of how you've transformed payment systems or led successful projects. This will help you stand out from the crowd!
✨Be Ready for Technical Questions
Brush up on your knowledge of major payment schemes and modern architecture patterns. Be prepared to discuss how you've applied these in past roles. Employers love candidates who can demonstrate their technical expertise and problem-solving skills on the spot.
✨Apply Through Our Website
Don't forget to apply directly through our website! It shows you're genuinely interested in joining Capco and makes it easier for us to track your application. Plus, you'll be one step closer to landing that Principal Payments Architect role!
We think you need these skills to ace Principal Payments Architect
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your Application:Make sure to customise your CV and cover letter for the Principal Payments Architect role. Highlight your experience with payment platforms and any relevant projects you've led. We want to see how your skills align with what we're looking for!
Showcase Your Expertise:Don’t hold back on sharing your knowledge of payment schemes and modern architecture patterns. Use specific examples to demonstrate your experience in payments transformation. This is your chance to shine, so let us know what you can bring to the table!
Be Clear and Concise:When writing your application, keep it clear and to the point. Avoid jargon unless it's relevant to the role. We appreciate straightforward communication, so make it easy for us to see why you're a great fit!
Apply Through Our Website:We encourage you to apply directly through our website. It’s the best way to ensure your application gets to the right people. Plus, it shows us that you’re genuinely interested in joining our team at Capco!
How to prepare for a job interview at Capco
✨Know Your Payments Inside Out
Make sure you brush up on your knowledge of payment platforms and schemes like Faster Payments, Bacs, and SWIFT. Be ready to discuss how you've designed or modernised these systems in the past, as this will show your expertise and relevance to the role.
✨Showcase Your Architectural Skills
Prepare to talk about your experience with modern distributed architecture patterns such as microservices and event streaming. Have examples ready that demonstrate how you've applied these concepts in real-world scenarios, especially in high-volume processing environments.
✨Build Relationships with Stakeholders
Think about how you've influenced strategic technology decisions in previous roles. Be prepared to share specific instances where you've built trusted relationships with senior stakeholders and how that impacted project outcomes.
✨Embrace Agile Methodologies
Familiarise yourself with agile delivery models and modern practices like DevOps. Be ready to discuss how you've implemented these methodologies in your work, particularly in payments transformation initiatives, to highlight your adaptability and forward-thinking approach.
