At a Glance
- Tasks: Shape client strategies and deliver high-impact consulting in the payments sector.
- Company: Join Fime, a global leader in digital payments and mobility services.
- Benefits: Enjoy a competitive salary, professional development, and a dynamic work environment.
- Other info: Opportunity to mentor the next generation of payments experts and grow your career.
- Why this job: Make a real impact in the evolving payments landscape with a collaborative team.
- Qualifications: 10+ years in payments, strong consulting skills, and a passion for innovation.
The predicted salary is between 80000 - 100000 £ per year.
Fime is a globally recognised international player providing deep expertise across digital payments, mobility services, and digital identity. We work with leading organisations worldwide to solve complex challenges, identify emerging opportunities, and future-proof their strategies. Our team of 900+ experts operates in over 20 locations around the globe, delivering solutions that support millions of transactions every day, across global markets. What sets us apart is our values: we are curious, creative, and highly collaborative, with a strong commitment to integrity - we do the right thing for our clients, our people, and our shareholders. At Fime, the work is varied and intellectually stimulating. No two days are the same, and you will be surrounded by smart, engaged colleagues who value learning and continuous improvement.
MISSON
Fime has been expanding Consult Hyperion, its consulting business and you will play a key role in this journey as a Principal in Payments, helping shape client strategies, growing existing accounts, and delivering high-impact consulting engagements worldwide. You will combine broad payments expertise with strong business development capabilities. You will advise clients across the payments value chain – and, where relevant, digital identity and transport technologies – lead consulting teams, support sales and presales activities, and design innovative, practical solutions to complex business challenges.
ACTIVITIES
- Shape client strategy. Conduct in-depth analysis of clients’ business operations, regulatory context, technology landscape, and strategic objectives across issuing, acquiring, schemes, acceptance, and emerging payment methods.
- Deliver expert consulting. Provide technical and strategic consulting services in payments, with the ability to connect into digital identity and transport/fare collection where relevant.
- Design end-to-end solutions. Develop comprehensive, tailored solution options (technical architectures, operating models, roadmaps, and business cases) to address identified challenges and opportunities.
- Lead project delivery. Lead multi-disciplinary consulting teams, oversee project scope and quality, and ensure on-time, on-budget delivery with clear, actionable outcomes for clients.
- Act as a trusted advisor. Build and maintain strong, long-term relationships with key stakeholders, becoming a go-to partner for ongoing advice and follow-on work.
- Guide and mentor teams. Provide day-to-day guidance, coaching, and formal feedback to consultants and senior consultants, helping grow the next generation of payments experts.
- Own account development. Work closely with sales and account teams to identify opportunities within existing clients, shape value propositions, and support sales and presales activities (proposal writing, solution framing, RFP responses, client workshops, and presentations).
- Manage risk and decisions. Provide expert leadership during projects, including risk identification, trade-off analysis, and decision-making support for senior client sponsors.
- Communicate with impact. Translate complex technical and regulatory topics into clear, concise language tailored to business and technical audiences, including C-level stakeholders.
- Contribute to thought leadership. Keep abreast of industry trends, standards, and innovations, and represent Consult Hyperion through blog posts, white papers, conference presentations, and expert panels.
JOB EXPERIENCE
- Minimum of 10 years of experience in payments, covering multiple domains across the value chain (e.g. card issuing and acquiring, merchant acceptance, payment schemes, real-time payments, wallet and mobile payments, APMs).
- Proven track record in technical or business consulting, or in certification and testing, delivering projects for financial institutions, fintechs, or payment processors.
- Experience working within regulated industries and/or the public sector (e.g. banking, transport authorities, government agencies).
- Demonstrated ability to lead project teams and oversee delivery of complex, multi-stakeholder engagements.
- Hands-on experience in sales and presales activities, particularly in developing existing client accounts.
KNOWLEDGE & SKILLS
- University degree in Computer Science, Engineering, Business, or a related field, or equivalent professional experience.
- Deep, broad knowledge of payment technologies and standards (e.g. EMV, tokenisation, ISO 8583/20022, 3-D Secure, contactless, real-time payments, wallets, open banking / APIs); exposure to digital identity and transport/fare collection is an advantage.
- Strong analytical skills with a structured problem-solving approach, able to connect technical details to commercial and regulatory implications.
- Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to create clear documentation, influence decision-making, and present confidently to senior stakeholders.
- Proven ability to build trust, manage stakeholders with differing priorities, and maintain long-term client relationships.
- People leadership capabilities, including coaching, mentoring, and developing consultants.
Contract: Permanent, full time
Starting at the latest: ASAP
Location: Guildford, UK
Principal, Payments - UK in Guildford employer: Fime
Fime is an exceptional employer, offering a dynamic work environment in Guildford where innovation and collaboration thrive. With a strong commitment to employee growth, you will have the opportunity to lead diverse consulting teams, shape client strategies, and engage in intellectually stimulating projects that impact global markets. Our values of curiosity, creativity, and integrity ensure that you are part of a supportive culture that prioritises continuous learning and meaningful contributions.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Principal, Payments - UK in Guildford
✨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 Fime. 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 Principal, Payments - UK in Guildford
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 Fime.
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 Fime'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 Fime
✨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 Fime.
✨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 Fime 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 Fime 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.
