At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead commercial performance and compliance for global payment networks in a dynamic travel payments division.
- Company: Global commerce platform with a strong presence in the payments industry.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, annual bonus, private medical insurance, and 25 days holiday.
- Other info: Hybrid working model with opportunities for international travel.
- Why this job: Make a real impact in a high-stakes role at a leading global payments business.
- Qualifications: Experience in contract management and financial services, with knowledge of major payment networks.
The predicted salary is between 80000 - 100000 € per year.
The company name will be disclosed to shortlisted candidates. This role is being recruited on an exclusive and confidential basis.
Our client is a NYSE-listed global commerce platform with over four decades of experience simplifying complex payment ecosystems for businesses across the world. Operating across fleet, travel payments, and healthcare segments, the business employs approximately 6,600 people globally and generated record revenue in 2025, exceeding $2.7 billion. With a strong footprint across North America, Europe, and Asia-Pacific, they are a trusted partner to some of the world's largest enterprises and financial institutions. Their travel payments division is a significant and growing part of the business, providing virtual payment solutions that power the global travel industry. This is a business of genuine scale and ambition — with the culture and pace to match.
Location: London (Hybrid – 3 days in office)
Contract: Permanent
Salary: Highly competitive basic salary + annual bonus + exceptional benefits
The Opportunity
A rare and high-impact opportunity has arisen within a leading global payments business for a commercially sharp and technically grounded Commercial Contracts Director. This is a newly created, critical role sitting at the heart of the organisation's Global Travel Payments division — one of the most strategically important areas of the business. Reporting to Senior Director level, you will own the end-to-end commercial performance and operational delivery of relationships with major global payment networks, spanning multiple regions and internal business units. This is a role for someone who thrives at the intersection of compliance, commercial strategy, and financial performance — and who wants genuine influence over how a global payments business manages its most important external relationships.
What You'll Be Doing
- Owning Commercial Performance: You will take full ownership of network contracts, ensuring the business meets its financial targets, revenue goals, and margin expectations. This includes analysing fee schedules, rebate structures, and volume commitments — and acting decisively to secure incentives and protect commercial outcomes.
- Managing Compliance at Scale: You will oversee the review and operational implementation of over 2,000 network rule updates and bulletins annually, each with the potential to impact core operating systems and card payment processing compliance. You’ll establish robust internal controls and act as the go-to expert for compliance guidance across the business.
- Shaping Strategy: Working closely with Solutions SMEs and product specialists, you’ll evaluate the financial, operational, and contractual implications of new network initiatives and rule changes — feeding directly into future product and commercial strategy.
- Influencing at the Top: You will prepare and present monthly reports to senior leadership, translating complex contract performance data into clear narratives around risk, opportunity, and financial impact.
What You'll Bring
Our client is looking for a self-sufficient, results-driven professional who combines deep contractual expertise with strong commercial and financial instincts. The following experience is essential:
- Substantial experience in contract management, commercial, or financial services roles with direct exposure to major payment networks (Visa, Mastercard, or equivalent).
- Deep, inside-out knowledge of the card issuing or card payments industry — including network rules, compliance frameworks, and the Visa/Mastercard ecosystem.
- A proven track record of delivering measurable ROI from complex commercial agreements, including deal bidding and negotiation.
- Strong financial management and reporting skills, including financial modelling and data analysis (Excel, Google Suite, or equivalent).
- A Bachelor's degree in Law, Finance, Business, or a related discipline.
- Willingness to travel internationally (quarterly, e.g. to the US) and domestically (e.g. to the North of England) as required.
The Package
- Highly competitive base salary
- Annual performance bonus
- Industry-leading pension scheme
- Private medical insurance
- 25 days holiday + bank holidays, with the option to buy more
- Life assurance & income protection
- Gym membership (Gym Flex)
- Discounts & perks platform
- Employee wellbeing programme
- 40-hour working week
Financial Institutions Partnerships Director in City of London employer: Evolution Growth Partners
As a leading global payments business, our company offers an exceptional work environment in London, combining a hybrid model that promotes work-life balance with a culture of ambition and innovation. Employees benefit from a highly competitive salary, annual bonuses, and a comprehensive benefits package, including private medical insurance and a robust pension scheme, all while having the opportunity to influence strategic decisions at the highest levels. With a commitment to employee growth and wellbeing, this is a place where your contributions truly matter and can drive meaningful change in the global travel payments sector.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Financial Institutions Partnerships Director in City of London
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to industry contacts on LinkedIn or at events. We all know that sometimes it’s not just what you know, but who you know that can land you that dream role.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for interviews by researching the company and its culture. We should be ready to discuss how our skills align with their goals, especially in areas like compliance and commercial strategy.
✨Tip Number 3
Practice your pitch! We need to be able to clearly articulate our experience and how it relates to the role. A confident delivery can make all the difference in standing out.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to follow up after interviews! A quick thank-you email can keep us top of mind and show our enthusiasm for the position. Plus, it’s a great chance to reiterate why we’re the perfect fit.
We think you need these skills to ace Financial Institutions Partnerships Director in City of London
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV:Make sure your CV is tailored to the role of Financial Institutions Partnerships Director. Highlight your experience in contract management and financial services, especially with major payment networks like Visa or Mastercard. 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 the perfect fit for this role. Share specific examples of how you've delivered measurable ROI from complex commercial agreements. Remember, we love a good story that showcases your expertise!
Showcase Your Compliance Knowledge:Since compliance is key in this role, make sure to highlight your understanding of network rules and compliance frameworks. We want to know how you've managed compliance at scale in your previous roles, so don't hold back on those details!
Apply Through Our Website:We encourage you to apply through our website for a smoother application process. It helps us keep track of your application and ensures you don’t miss out on any important updates. Plus, it shows you're keen to join our team!
How to prepare for a job interview at Evolution Growth Partners
✨Know Your Numbers
Make sure you’re well-versed in the financial metrics relevant to the role. Brush up on your understanding of revenue goals, margin expectations, and how to analyse fee schedules. Being able to discuss these confidently will show that you’re not just familiar with the industry but also ready to take ownership of commercial performance.
✨Master Compliance Knowledge
Given the importance of compliance in this role, it’s crucial to have a solid grasp of network rules and compliance frameworks. Familiarise yourself with the latest updates from major payment networks like Visa and Mastercard. This will help you demonstrate your expertise and readiness to manage compliance at scale during the interview.
✨Prepare for Strategic Discussions
Think about how you can contribute to shaping strategy within the organisation. Be ready to discuss past experiences where you evaluated financial implications of new initiatives. Prepare examples that highlight your ability to influence decision-making at a senior level, as this is key for the role.
✨Present Data Effectively
You’ll need to translate complex data into clear narratives for senior leadership. Practice presenting your past contract performance data in a way that highlights risks, opportunities, and financial impacts. This skill will be essential in showcasing your ability to communicate effectively and influence at the top.
