Payment Operations Manager in London

Payment Operations Manager in London

London Full-Time 60000 - 80000 £ / year (est.) No working from home possible
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At a Glance

  • Tasks: Manage global payment operations and enhance crypto controls for seamless transactions.
  • Company: Join ARQ, a fast-growing fintech redefining money interactions globally.
  • Benefits: Competitive salary, stock options, performance bonuses, and paid annual leave.
  • Other info: Collaborative environment with opportunities for skill enhancement and career growth.
  • Why this job: Shape the future of finance while working with cutting-edge technology and a dynamic team.
  • Qualifications: 3+ years in payments operations with strong attention to detail and control instincts.

The predicted salary is between 60000 - 80000 £ per year.

About ARQ

ARQ is one of the fastest-growing fintechs in the world. Our mission is to redefine how people interact with money across borders, building the infrastructure to move value seamlessly. We’re still early in our journey, which means every person who joins shapes the future of our product, culture, and growth. If you’re excited by big challenges, global impact, and the chance to grow fast with a world-class team, ARQ is the place to do it.

What you'll be doing

  • Own the Payments Lifecycle: Run end-to-end global payment operations as well as crypto settlement, bridging, and custodian movements.
  • Execute Accounts Payable & Payroll: Prepare, review, and release accounts payable runs and payroll disbursements across entities.
  • Strengthen Crypto Controls: Oversee hot/cold wallet movements, whitelisting, pre-sign review, chain-to-ledger reconciliation, and on-chain parity checks; treat crypto with the same rigour as a regulated fiat.
  • Reconcile & Resolve Exceptions: Monitor queues across rails, investigate failed and stuck transactions, resolve breaks between rail, ledger, custodian, and bank, and enforce cut-off discipline.
  • Improve the Internal Treasury System: Act as the operational voice shaping our in-house Treasury payment tooling - requirements, UAT, business readiness, and change control, partnering with product and engineering.
  • Oversee Automated Flows: Monitor payment provider integrations, catch drift early, and prioritise the automation backlog with engineering.
  • Govern Procedures: Own procedure documentation, periodic reviews, and change control so controls stay current with regulatory and business change.
  • Report & Measure: Produce operational reports on settlement timeliness, funding utilisation, break rates, and control effectiveness; surface insights that drive decisions.
  • Escalate & Investigate: Spot risk early, elevate promptly to contain loss, and lead post-incident reviews with clear root cause and durable fixes.
  • Partner Cross-Functionally: Be the first point of contact for business, technology, risk, compliance, and finance; align stakeholders and drive timely resolution.

What You'll Need

  • 3+ years in payments operations, treasury operations, or settlements at a bank, fintech, exchange, or payments provider.
  • Strong working knowledge of fiat payment rails and the operational mechanics of reconciliation, exception handling, and cut-offs.
  • Sharp control instincts: you've owned procedure documents, change control, and audit-ready evidence, and you can spot a weak control from a mile away.
  • Experience executing accounts payable and/or payroll disbursements at scale, including multi-entity and multi-currency flows.
  • High attention to detail and accuracy in processing, reconciliation, and control activities.
  • Track record of delivering automation and process re-engineering that measurably improved speed, accuracy, or scalability.

Nice to Have

  • Direct experience operating LATAM rails (SPEI, PIX, PSE, CBU) inside a regulated entity.
  • Hands-on experience with crypto operations - custody, wallet movements, bridging, chain rebalancing, and on-chain reconciliation with a security-first mindset.
  • Experience with a Treasury Management System and/or building an in-house equivalent.
  • SQL for querying payment, ledger, and operational data - you don't wait for someone else to pull the numbers.
  • Spanish and/or Portuguese proficiency.

Benefits

  • Competitive salary
  • Sign-on stock options bonus, so you become part of the success of the company
  • Discretionary performance bonus (stock options+cash)
  • Paid annual leave
  • Latest technology to work with
  • Strong team that will help you improve your skills
  • Office Policy: 3-4 days a week in-office

Payment Operations Manager in London employer: Castleisland

ARQ is an exceptional employer that offers a dynamic and innovative work environment, perfect for those eager to make a global impact in the fintech space. With competitive salaries, stock options, and a strong focus on employee growth through collaboration with a world-class team, ARQ empowers its employees to shape the future of financial operations while enjoying a flexible office policy. Join us to be part of a fast-growing company where your contributions truly matter.

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Contact Details:

Castleisland Recruitment Team

StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫

We think this is how you could land Payment Operations Manager in London

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 Castleisland. 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 Payment Operations Manager in London

Payments Operations
Accounts Payable
Payroll Disbursements
Crypto Settlement
Reconciliation
Exception Handling
Procedure Documentation

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 Castleisland.

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 Castleisland'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 Castleisland

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 Castleisland.

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 Castleisland 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 Castleisland 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.