Senior Payment Operations Specialist (Cards) in London

EML Payments is a global leader in the fintech space. Our mission is to create awesome, instant, and secure payment solutions that connect our customers to their customers, anytime, anywhere, wherever money is in motion. Our Purpose is to inspire transformative digital change for our customers and communities.

About the role

The Senior Payment Operations Specialist (Cards) supports continuity across card and payment schemes, with priority focus on Visa/Mastercard activity. You will manage core scheme controls (bulletins, registrations, validations, monthly checks and investigations) and support BAU coverage across payment rails including Bacs, SEPA, CoPay and Faster Payments.

As a card-scheme change SME, you will support scheme implementations and mandatory change—such as BIN configuration, programme set‐ups, certifications/validations and scheme‐driven updates—working with processors, networks and internal teams to translate requirements into clear actions and confirm completion. You will also provide practical input to changes that impact payment scheme BAU, advising on impacts, controls and "what good looks like" so updates are introduced safely. Throughout, you'll look for ways to reduce friction, improve reliability and simplify recurring work—working within established direction, escalation paths and decision frameworks.

What you’ll do

• Card Scheme Operations
  • Monitor and implement card scheme bulletins and required updates (Visa, Mastercard, regulatory).
  • Manage ICA/BIN registrations and BIN/programme configuration, including certifications and validations.
  • Perform monthly compliance checks and investigations for card scheme adherence.
  • Liaise with card networks and processors to resolve operational issues and maintain compliance.
• Payment Scheme Operations
  • Provide BAU coverage across payment rails, monitoring processing and triaging issues.
  • Ensure timely processing of inbound and outbound payments and associated customer and bank requests, escalating exceptions as needed.
  • Support reconciliation issues and resolve exceptions/discrepancies with FinOps, Finance and relevant providers.
  • Maintain working knowledge of scheme rules/requirements and translate changes into clear actions and controls.
• Relationship Management
  • Maintain effective working relationships with schemes, acquirers, processors and internal stakeholders to enable delivery and issue resolution.
  • Manage escalations with schemes and partners, coordinating incident resolution and escalating material risks/issues through agreed pathways.
  • Coordinate with Finance, Compliance and Technology on readiness, evidence, and BAU handover for scheme changes and implementations.
• Operational Reporting & Continuous Improvement
  • Mentor and support the development of junior team members, sharing scheme and payments knowledge, providing coaching on day‐to‐day work, and contributing to consistent ways of working.
  • Prepare performance reporting across card and payment schemes and identify risks and recurring issues.
  • Highlight trends and drive practical improvements to reduce manual effort, resilience and improve customer experience.

Qualifications

• Proven delivery of card scheme implementations and mandatory change (e.g., scheme updates, configurations, validations/certifications).
• Strong understanding of scheme rules/requirements, controls, and BAU readiness planning.
• Strong analytical and problem‐solving skills; able to interpret performance data, identify trends and drive improvements.
• Solid delivery discipline: planning, governance, RAID/action tracking, and stakeholder engagement across internal teams and external partners.
• High attention to detail and accuracy in managing complex, high‐volume processes.
• Confident presenting clear updates to stakeholders and senior internal audiences.

What We Offer

• Recharge and Give Back: 25 days annual leave, 2 volunteering days, your birthday off – plus 5 extra 'Take5' days when you've used your core leave!
• Global Opportunities: Collaborate across Australia, the UK, North America, and Europe – with secondment opportunities available.
• Work Your Way: Hybrid working that fits your lifestyle and empowers smarter working.
• Family First: Enhanced family leave options with 12‐weeks full pay for Primary Caregivers, and 4‐weeks full pay for Secondary Caregivers.
• Invest in You: We cover your professional memberships and offer a competitive pension scheme.
• Wellbeing Matters: Private medical insurance, long‐term illness cover, and life assurance.
• Perks & Rewards: Short‐term bonus scheme, Cycle2Work, 24/7 Employee Assistance Programme, and exclusive discounts via Spectrum.Life's BenefitsHub.