At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead product strategy and development for innovative card and payment solutions.
- Company: Fast-growing fintech company with global reach and FCA regulation.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, direct access to senior leadership, and impactful work.
- Other info: High-ownership culture with opportunities for rapid career growth.
- Why this job: Shape the future of payments and make a real difference in a dynamic environment.
- Qualifications: 3-5 years in product management within payments or fintech, strong card scheme knowledge.
The predicted salary is between 60000 - 80000 £ per year.
ABOUT CARDAQ
Cardaq is a London-based Electronic Money Institution (EMI) authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA). Operating since 2011, we deliver end-to-end card processing and acquiring solutions for low- and medium-risk merchants globally. As a Principal Member of Visa, Mastercard, and China UnionPay, we offer a full suite of card issuing and acquiring products and we're growing fast.
THE ROLE
Reporting directly to the COO, the Product Manager will own the strategy, development, and commercialisation of Cardaq's card and payment products. This is a dual-facing role, you'll be responsible for driving product roadmaps that serve both merchant and institutional clients, while also ensuring our operational processes support effective product delivery. You'll need a strong grasp of how card scheme products work in practice from scheme rulebooks to technical certification and the commercial instinct to translate that knowledge into products clients want to buy.
KEY RESPONSIBILITIES
- Own and maintain the product roadmap for Cardaq's acquiring and issuing product lines, aligned to commercial and strategic objectives set by the COO.
- Define product requirements, use cases, and acceptance criteria in collaboration with engineering, compliance, and operations.
- Develop deep expertise in Visa, Mastercard, and UnionPay scheme products — including acquiring, issuing, prepaid, and virtual card programmes — and translate scheme capabilities into Cardaq product offerings.
- Act as the internal subject matter expert on scheme mandates, product certification processes, and scheme-driven roadmap requirements (e.g. network tokenisation, 3DS2, contactless mandates, scheme fee changes).
- Work with the COO to define go-to-market strategy for new products and enhancements, including pricing models, merchant segmentation, and partner positioning.
- Work with the COO and scheme account managers at Visa, Mastercard, and UnionPay to stay ahead of scheme developments and identify new product opportunities.
- Monitor product performance metrics, approval rates, chargeback ratios, revenue per transaction and use data to drive continuous improvement.
- Support operational product delivery: onboarding flows, API documentation, merchant integration, and client-facing product collateral.
- Manage the product backlog and run sprint ceremonies in partnership with the IT team.
REQUIRED SKILLS & EXPERIENCE
- 3-5 years of product management experience within payments, card issuing, acquiring, or a related fintech environment.
- Strong knowledge of card scheme products and operations across Visa, Mastercard, and/or UnionPay including scheme rules, product certification, and mandate compliance.
- Experience defining and shipping payment products either on the acquiring or issuing side (both is a strong plus).
- Familiarity with FCA-regulated environments and the compliance constraints that shape product decisions.
- Comfortable working across technical and commercial teams, you can write a PRD and present a business case with equal confidence.
- Data-driven approach to product decisions, experience with analytics tools and payments KPIs.
- Strong written and verbal communication skills; able to engage scheme partners, merchants, and internal stakeholders clearly.
DESIRABLE
- Direct experience working at or alongside a card scheme (Visa, Mastercard, UnionPay).
- Knowledge of open banking, digital wallets (Apple Pay, Google Pay), or tokenisation platforms.
- Experience with white-label card programme builds or PSP product delivery.
- Familiarity with PCI DSS Level 1 environments and associated product constraints.
- Agile/Scrum certification (CSPO or equivalent).
Location: London (5 days in-office)
Reporting To: Chief Operating Officer (COO)
Employment Type: Permanent, Full-Time
Notice Period: 1 month
WHY CARDAQ
Shape the product direction of a growing FCA-regulated payments business with global reach. Principal membership of Visa, Mastercard, and UnionPay — rare access to scheme-level relationships and product opportunities. Direct reporting line to the COO with a clear path to senior product leadership. High-ownership, low-bureaucracy environment where you'll move fast and see real impact.
Product Manager in Slough employer: Cardaq
At Cardaq, we pride ourselves on being an exceptional employer that fosters a high-ownership, low-bureaucracy work culture, allowing our Product Manager to shape the future of our innovative payment solutions. Located in the heart of London, we offer unique access to scheme-level relationships with Visa, Mastercard, and UnionPay, alongside clear pathways for career advancement directly reporting to the COO. Join us to make a meaningful impact in a fast-growing FCA-regulated environment where your contributions are valued and recognised.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Product Manager in Slough
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Get out there and connect with people in the payments and fintech space. Attend industry events, join relevant online forums, and don’t be shy about reaching out on LinkedIn. You never know who might have the inside scoop on job openings!
✨Tip Number 2
Show off your expertise! When you get the chance to chat with potential employers or during interviews, make sure to highlight your knowledge of card schemes and payment products. Share specific examples of how you've driven product success in the past – it’ll set you apart from the crowd.
✨Tip Number 3
Prepare for those tricky questions! Brush up on common product management scenarios and be ready to discuss how you’d handle them. Think about your approach to defining product roadmaps and working with cross-functional teams – they’ll want to see your thought process in action.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! We’re always on the lookout for passionate individuals who can help us shape the future of payments. Keep an eye on our careers page and make sure your application stands out by showcasing your unique skills and experiences.
We think you need these skills to ace Product Manager in Slough
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV:Make sure your CV is tailored to the Product Manager role at Cardaq. Highlight your experience in payments and card issuing, and don’t forget to showcase your knowledge of Visa, Mastercard, and UnionPay products. We want to see how your skills align with what we’re looking for!
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter:Your cover letter is your chance to shine! Use it to explain why you’re passionate about product management in the fintech space and how your background makes you a perfect fit for Cardaq. We love seeing enthusiasm and a clear understanding of our business.
Showcase Your Data Skills:Since this role is data-driven, make sure to highlight any experience you have with analytics tools and KPIs related to payments. We want to know how you’ve used data to drive product decisions in the past, so don’t hold back!
Apply Through Our Website:We encourage you to apply directly through our website. It’s the best way to ensure your application gets into the right hands. Plus, it shows us you’re proactive and really interested in joining our team at Cardaq!
How to prepare for a job interview at Cardaq
✨Know Your Products Inside Out
Before the interview, make sure you have a solid understanding of card scheme products, especially those from Visa, Mastercard, and UnionPay. Familiarise yourself with their rules, certification processes, and how they translate into marketable products. This knowledge will help you demonstrate your expertise and show that you're ready to take ownership of the product roadmap.
✨Showcase Your Data-Driven Mindset
Be prepared to discuss how you've used data to drive product decisions in the past. Bring examples of metrics you've monitored, such as approval rates or chargeback ratios, and how you've leveraged this information for continuous improvement. This will highlight your analytical skills and your ability to make informed decisions.
✨Communicate Clearly and Confidently
Strong communication skills are key for this role. Practice articulating your thoughts on product management and how you would engage with both technical and commercial teams. Be ready to present a business case or a product requirement document (PRD) during the interview to showcase your ability to bridge the gap between different stakeholders.
✨Understand the Go-to-Market Strategy
Research Cardaq's current products and think about potential enhancements or new offerings. Be ready to discuss how you would define a go-to-market strategy, including pricing models and merchant segmentation. Showing that you can think strategically about product launches will set you apart as a candidate who can contribute to the company's growth.
