At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead merchant onboarding, conduct risk assessments, and ensure compliance with card scheme rules.
- Company: Join a dynamic financial services firm focused on innovation and compliance.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, flexible working options, and opportunities for professional growth.
- Other info: Collaborative environment with a focus on continuous improvement and career advancement.
- Why this job: Make a real impact in the fintech space while developing your expertise in risk management.
- Qualifications: 4+ years in onboarding or underwriting within regulated financial services.
The predicted salary is between 60000 - 75000 £ per year.
The
Senior Onboarding Specialist is responsible for end-to-end merchant onboarding in a UK FCA-regulated EMI/card acquiring context, with a strong focus on KYB, underwriting, and card scheme compliance (Visa/Mastercard).
The role combines detailed due diligence, risk assessment, and underwriting decision-making, ensuring that new merchants meet internal risk appetite, regulatory expectations, and relevant card scheme rules.
The successful candidate will lead complex KYB assessments, perform acquiring underwriting for higher-risk verticals, and act as a subject-matter expert on onboarding flows, documentation standards, and risk controls.
Key responsibilities
- Perform comprehensive KYB due diligence on prospective merchants, including corporate structure analysis, UBO/PSC identification, source of funds/wealth indicators, and sector-specific risk factors.
- Lead underwriting assessments for merchants in line with card acquiring risk appetite, including evaluation of business model, vertical, geography, transaction profile, chargeback exposure, and operational resilience
- Assess merchant applications against Visa and Mastercard rules and scheme expectations, including appropriate MCC assignment, prohibited business checks, and scheme compliance considerations.
- Review and validate merchant documentation (corporate docs, financial statements, processing history, policies, website/app flows, T&Cs, refund/cancellation policies) to ensure completeness and consistency.
- Use and manage onboarding and risk tools such as Sum Sub, G2 Risk Solutions, VISA VMSS, Mastercard MATCH, and Similar Web as part of the due diligence, risk assessment, and underwriting process.
- Perform detailed online footprint checks (website, app, social media, ratings, traffic via tools such as Similar Web) to validate the declared business model and detect potential transaction laundering or undisclosed activity.
- Calibrate and apply merchant risk scoring logic, including initial risk rating, review cycles, and enhanced due diligence criteria for higher-risk segments.
- Work closely with Transaction Monitoring, Fraud, and Compliance teams to ensure onboarding decisions align with downstream monitoring scenarios and risk tolerances.
- Document onboarding decisions, rationale, and risk mitigants in a clear, audit-ready manner aligned with internal policies and regulatory expectations.
- Act as a key escalation point for complex or higher-risk applications, providing structured recommendations and risk-based mitigations to senior stakeholders.
- Support continuous improvement of onboarding policies, procedures, risk appetite statements, and playbooks, especially for new products, verticals, or jurisdictions.
- Provide training and guidance to junior onboarding analysts and operational staff on KYB standards, underwriting methodology, and card scheme rules.
Skills and experience
- 4+ years of experience in merchant onboarding, KYB, or underwriting within card acquiring, payments, EMI, or similar regulated financial services.
- Strong KYB expertise, including legal entity structures, UBO identification, and corporate documentation review.
- Proven experience in card acquiring underwriting, including assessment of risk in various merchant verticals and familiarity with chargeback and fraud risk drivers.
- Good working knowledge of Visa and Mastercard rules relevant to acquiring, including MCC allocation, prohibited/regulated sectors, and scheme compliance frameworks.
- Hands-on experience using tools such as Sum Sub, G2 Risk Solutions, VISA VMSS, Mastercard MATCH, and Similar Web in onboarding and risk assessment workflows.
- Strong analytical skills with the ability to interpret merchant data, historical processing statements, traffic/volume projections, and financial information to inform underwriting decisions.
- High level of attention to detail and ability to spot inconsistencies between declared business models, documentation, and online presence.
- Solid understanding of how onboarding decisions interact with transaction monitoring, fraud controls, and overall risk management frameworks.
- Clear, structured written communication skills for documenting decisions and writing onboarding/underwriting rationales.
Desirable Skills & Experience
- Experience in high-risk or complex verticals (e. g. digital goods, cross-border e-commerce, subscription, gambling, adult, crypto-adjacent) from an acquiring perspective.
- Exposure to UK/EU AML and financial crime frameworks as they relate to KYB and merchant risk.
- Experience contributing to the design or refinement of onboarding/KYB policies, procedures, and risk scoring models.
- Familiarity with broader payments and EMI regulatory context.
- Professional certifications such as ICA or ACAMS.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Senior Onboarding Specialist in Slough
✨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 Exepay Ltd. 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 Senior Onboarding Specialist in Slough
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 Exepay Ltd.
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 Exepay Ltd'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 Exepay Ltd
✨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 Exepay Ltd.
✨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 Exepay Ltd 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 Exepay Ltd 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.
