Head of Schemes Relationships in London

Head of Schemes Relationships in London

London Full-Time 51750 - 63250 £ / year (est.) No working from home possible
Elavon

At a Glance

  • Tasks: Lead relationships with major card schemes and drive commercial success across Europe.
  • Company: Join U.S. Bank, a leader in financial services with a commitment to innovation.
  • Benefits: Competitive salary, performance incentives, inclusive benefits, and continuous development opportunities.
  • Other info: Work in a dynamic team with a focus on inclusion and career mobility.
  • Why this job: Make a real impact in the payments industry while growing your career in a supportive environment.
  • Qualifications: 5+ years in payments leadership, strong negotiation skills, and a passion for driving change.

The predicted salary is between 51750 - 63250 £ per year.

At U.S. Bank, we’re on a journey to do our best. Helping the customers and businesses we serve to make better and smarter financial decisions, enabling the communities we support to grow and succeed in the right ways, all more confidently and more often—that’s what we call the courage to thrive. We believe it takes all of us to bring our shared ambition to life, and each person is unique in their potential. A career with U.S. Bank gives you a wide, ever-growing range of opportunities to discover what makes you thrive.

As a wholly owned subsidiary of U.S. Bank, Elavon is committed to building the platforms and ecosystems that help over 1.5 million customers around the world to achieve their financial goals—no matter what they need. From transaction processing to customer service, to driving innovation and launching new products, we’re building a range of tailored payment solutions powered by the latest technology.

We actively uphold transparent and fair hiring practices that support individual opportunity, inclusive culture, and career mobility across all levels of our organisation. We offer meaningful opportunities for growth, a culture of inclusion, and a strong commitment to transparency and integrity in everything we do.

Job Description

Working within the European commercial team covering all scheme related activity, management and operations. The role holder will be driven by achieving consistently improving commercial outcomes that are materially important to the European business. The position requires a strategic and synchronized perspective, extraordinary stakeholder management, and tried and tested change and leadership skills coupled with intellectual curiosity to identify new ideas, challenge the status quo and ultimately be passionate about our relationships with schemes.

Main Role Responsibilities:

  • Acts as a liaison with card schemes, including but not limited to Visa, Mastercard, Discover, Amex, UPI, JCB.
  • Coaches, supports and optimises the team and their associated processes.
  • Maintains knowledge of all products and services offered by card schemes.
  • Commercial negotiations with the schemes and contract negotiations with partners.
  • Day to day performance management and analysis, driving enablement for volume growth.
  • Ensures the consistent and successful implementation of centralized initiatives and communications at the local market level.
  • Actively participates and drives relevant projects with value-based outcomes.
  • Support with customer facing discussion on cards to drive acceptance.
  • Implementation/roll out of Operational process efficiencies and/or Gap analysis for the relevant scheme, working with operations and compliance.
  • Will run the management process across all Scheme related KPI within the European financial plan, running forecasts, RCA and control of action planning.

Role Requirements:

  • 5+ years in a payments industry as a leader or director.
  • Strong commercial acumen and understanding of contractual opportunities.
  • Good knowledge of the European payments landscape.
  • Strong communication, negotiation and influencing skills.
  • Ability to work cross functionally and across different markets.
  • Good organizational and project management skills.
  • Effective presentation and strong verbal and written communication skills.

This role requires working from a U.S. Bank location three (3) or more days per week.

Accessibility

We are committed to providing an inclusive and accessible recruitment experience. If you need adjustments at any stage of the application or hiring process, please contact your recruiter for guidance and support.

Total Rewards

U.S. Bank is committed to fair, equitable, and transparent compensation practices in line with local regulatory and legal requirements. Our total rewards approach is designed to attract, retain, and support top talent while ensuring equal pay for work of equal value. We offer a market-competitive compensation package that includes:

  • Clearly defined salary ranges aligned with industry benchmarks and internal equity standards.
  • Performance-based incentives for eligible employees, awarded through transparent, objective criteria that recognize both individual and company performance.
  • Inclusive equitable benefits that are accessible to all employees and focused around our 3 main pillars of financial wellbeing, health & wellness.
  • Continuous development opportunities including training, education support, and career progression pathways based on inclusive and transparent criteria.
  • Employee recognition programs that celebrate achievements and milestones for all.
  • We regularly review our compensation and benefits to ensure they remain competitive, inclusive, and responsive to employee needs and market trends.

Further details of the compensation package will be provided upon application. We encourage candidates to explore the full value of our offer, including monetary and non-monetary benefits.

Closing Date

Posting may be closed earlier due to high volume of applicants. We aim to provide timely updates throughout the process and encourage early applications to ensure consideration.

Summary

Location: London, United Kingdom; Type: Full time.

Head of Schemes Relationships in London employer: Elavon

U.S. Bank is an exceptional employer that prioritises employee growth and development, offering a dynamic work culture where innovation thrives. As a DevOps Team Lead, you will benefit from a market-competitive compensation package, inclusive benefits focused on financial wellbeing and health, and continuous learning opportunities that empower you to advance your career. With a commitment to collaboration and a supportive environment, U.S. Bank fosters a sense of ownership and encourages you to make a meaningful impact in the tech landscape.

Elavon

Contact Details:

Elavon Recruitment Team

StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫

We think this is how you could land Head of Schemes Relationships 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 Elavon. 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 Head of Schemes Relationships in London

Stakeholder Management
Commercial Acumen
Contract Negotiation
Knowledge of European Payments Landscape
Communication Skills
Negotiation Skills
Influencing Skills

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 Elavon.

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 Elavon'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 Elavon

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 Elavon.

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 Elavon 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 Elavon 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.