At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead compliance risk management for a global payments network and drive transformational change.
- Company: Join Capital One, a top-rated workplace with a mission to innovate in lending.
- Benefits: Enjoy hybrid work, competitive salary, and opportunities for professional growth.
- Other info: Be part of a diverse team committed to fostering innovation and collaboration.
- Why this job: Make a real impact in the payments industry while working with senior executives.
- Qualifications: Experience in payments risk, team leadership, and regulatory compliance is essential.
The predicted salary is between 81000 - 99000 £ per year.
Location: London - Hybrid (Hammersmith)
Working Pattern: 3 days in-office (Tuesday-Thursday) and 2 days remote.
Our Mission
We’re on a mission to be a force for good in lending. Throughout our almost 30-year history, we’ve consistently been recognised as a great place to work; in 2026, Capital One was officially ranked 9th in the UK’s Best Workplaces™ list.
About the Role
Capital One’s new business offerings as a result of the Discover Financial acquisition is a rare and valuable global payments network with 70 million merchant acceptance points in more than 200 countries and territories. This acquisition adds scale and investment, enabling the Discover network to be more competitive with the largest payments’ networks and payments companies. This is a key foundation in Capital One's quest to build a global payments company.
The Senior Director, International Network Compliance role will report to the Vice President, International Network Compliance Officer, who in turn reports to the Chief Compliance Officer for the Network. The successful candidate will have experience with the global payments schemes and demonstrate payments industry expertise. This role is ideal for someone with strong leadership skills, who is capable of driving transformational change and delivering game-changing value with a high level of exposure to senior executives across the company as well as direct interaction with Capital One’s international regulators.
What You'll Do
- Lead the maintenance, evolution, and continuous improvement of the compliance risk management function for the international network business operations by providing support, advice, and counsel on complex compliance risk issues.
- Serve as an authority within the international network and merchant services business for relevant and evolving compliance expectations, laws, and regulations and the impact of changes on the business.
- Actively promote a culture of compliance risk management and balanced risk taking by ensuring the business has appropriate monitoring in place to identify process breakdowns and advising the business to ensure comprehensive corrective action when issues arise.
- Build relationships and work collaboratively with business partners and other support groups to ensure the network and merchant products, practices, and services all remain within Capital One's Compliance risk appetite.
- With the Chief Compliance Officer for the Network and the International Network Compliance Officer interface with regulators and also support interactions between regulatory bodies across the globe.
- Monitor work plans for remediation of any internal or regulatory findings within the business area of responsibility.
- Build a small team of talented compliance professionals and industry experts to support implement and manage the international compliance program; lead and oversee the management of people processes, including recruiting, promotions, performance management, training, and development.
- Display a passion for coaching and developing others through their leadership style and presence, whether as direct reports or extended team members.
- Serve as a strategic advisor to the business and internal subject matter expert on the payments ecosystem generally, including with respect to emerging technologies and industry trends/development.
- Oversee the Front Line's execution and challenges appropriately on compliance related decisions.
The skills and experience you need
- Payments Risk Experience: Possesses an understanding of existing and emerging global payment networks, regulations and risk, and responsibilities relative to third party payment processors.
- Team Leadership: Experience building, motivating and developing high-performing teams, with a track record of attracting and leading top talent.
- Regulatory Experience: Experience managing regulatory requirements in a complex finance organization and maintaining relationships with relevant regulatory bodies.
- Innovation Leadership: Experience providing creative solutions and focused on important success drivers. Experience facilitating teams to innovate, create and be open to change.
- Strategic Leadership: Demonstrated ability to formulate a strategic vision for a compliance risk management organization while providing meaning, context, and motivation to execute strategic priorities.
- Strong Business Judgment: Passion for payments and a deep understanding of payments schemes, associated regulation and industry trends.
- Strong business judgment and the analytical acumen to evaluate complex, multi-dimensional risks and formulate appropriate compliance recommendations and advice.
- Proven capability to influence and build consensus among peers and senior leadership, leveraging sound logic, analysis, and intellectual rigor.
- Intellectually curious and highly self-motivated.
- Communication: Excellent communication and partnership skills which are essential for interacting and communicating with key stakeholders at all levels across the company, as well as external stakeholders and regulatory agencies, to manage, inform and influence outcomes.
- Highly developed interpersonal, presentation, and communications skills (both verbal and written).
- Ability to communicate effectively at all levels of the organization, as well as with external parties (such as regulators and consultants).
Highly desirable candidates would have a combined experience in legal, compliance, risk management, or regulatory experience in payments on the merchant or network side and established experience in leadership. Exposure or experience in a financial regulator role would be a bonus!
Capital One is committed to diversity in the workplace.
Senior Director, Head of International Payments Network Compliance (EMEA) in London employer: Capital One
Capital One is an exceptional employer, offering a dynamic work culture that fosters innovation and collaboration in the heart of London. With a strong commitment to employee growth, we provide ample opportunities for professional development and leadership training, ensuring our team members thrive in their careers. The hybrid working model enhances work-life balance, making Capital One a rewarding place to contribute to meaningful projects in the global payments landscape.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Senior Director, Head of International Payments Network Compliance (EMEA) in London
✨Tap into Campus Networks
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We think you need these skills to ace Senior Director, Head of International Payments Network Compliance (EMEA) in London
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 Capital One.
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Research and Reflect:Before hitting that 'apply' button on Capital One'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 Capital One
✨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 Capital One.
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✨Network with Industry Professionals
Before your interview, reach out to current or former Capital One 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.
