Payments olicy Analyst

The Payments Policy Analyst plays a critical role within the Financial Services industry by ensuring that payment systems and processes comply with evolving regulatory frameworks, internal governance standards, and industry best practices. This position is responsible for analyzing payment policies, assessing operational risks, and providing data‑driven insights to support strategic decision‑making. The analyst will collaborate with cross‑functional teams including Compliance, Risk, Legal, Product, and Operations to evaluate the impact of policy changes on payment flows, customer experience, and regulatory adherence. With a strong focus on accuracy, consistency, and forward‑looking risk mitigation, the Payments Policy Analyst contributes directly to the integrity, efficiency, and scalability of the organisation’s payment infrastructure. This role is essential in maintaining trust with regulators, customers, and stakeholders in a highly regulated and fast‑paced financial environment.

Responsibilities

• Conduct in‑depth analysis of national and international payment regulations (e.g., PSD2, GDPR, FCA guidelines) and assess their impact on existing payment policies and procedures.
• Develop, review, and update internal payment policies, standards, and operational guidelines to ensure compliance and alignment with industry benchmarks.
• Perform risk assessments and impact analyses on proposed policy changes, new payment products, and technology integrations.
• Collaborate with Legal and Compliance teams to ensure policy frameworks meet regulatory expectations and support audit readiness.
• Monitor emerging trends in digital payments, fintech innovation, and regulatory developments to proactively identify policy gaps or opportunities.
• Prepare detailed reports, dashboards, and presentations for senior leadership summarising policy performance, compliance status, and risk exposure.
• Act as a subject‑matter expert in internal training sessions and policy workshops to promote consistent understanding and application across departments.
• Maintain comprehensive documentation of policy versions, change logs, and rationale for decisions to support transparency and traceability.
• Engage with external regulators and industry bodies as required to contribute to standard‑setting initiatives and policy consultations.
• Monitor, analyse and interpret developments from the Bank of England, PSR, FCA, HM Treasury and international bodies – turning complex information into practical insights.
• Support key committees and working groups – including preparing agendas, coordinating workshops, and ensuring effective member engagement.
• Draft briefings, consultation responses, and reports to articulate the voice of our members and influence decision‑makers.
• The applicant will be expected to work flexibly to support other activities as required by the Payments team.
• Collaborate across on cross‑cutting areas including digital innovation, economic crime, regulation and international policy.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in Finance, Economics, Business Administration, Law, or a related field.
• Minimum of 2 years of experience in policy analysis, financial services compliance, or payments operations within a regulated environment.
• Strong understanding of payment systems (e.g., card payments, SEPA, SWIFT, real‑time payments) and relevant regulatory frameworks.
• Proven ability to conduct complex data analysis and translate findings into actionable policy recommendations.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills with the ability to present technical information to non‑specialist audiences.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite (Excel, PowerPoint, Word), with experience in data visualisation tools (e.g., Power BI, Tableau) a plus.
• Detail‑oriented with strong organisational skills and the ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast‑paced environment.
• Familiarity with risk management frameworks and internal control processes.
• Ability to work independently and as part of a collaborative, cross‑functional team.
• Willingness to stay current with evolving regulatory landscapes and industry innovations in digital payments.