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
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Get out there and connect with people in the payments industry. Attend events, join online forums, and don’t be shy about reaching out on LinkedIn. You never know who might have the inside scoop on job openings or can put in a good word for you.
✨Tip Number 2
Show off your expertise! When you get the chance to chat with potential employers, make sure to highlight your experience in payments and how it aligns with their needs. Share specific examples of how you've tackled challenges in the past – this will set you apart from the crowd.
✨Tip Number 3
Be proactive! Don’t just wait for job postings to pop up. Reach out directly to companies you admire, like Fime, and express your interest in working with them. Tailor your message to show how your skills can help them achieve their goals in the payments space.
✨Tip Number 4
Keep learning and sharing! Stay updated on the latest trends in payments and digital identity. Write articles or share insights on social media to establish yourself as a thought leader. This not only boosts your visibility but also shows potential employers that you're passionate about the industry.
We think you need these skills to ace Principal, Payments - UK in Guildford
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your Application:Make sure to customise your CV and cover letter for the Principal, Payments role. Highlight your experience in payments and how it aligns with Fime's mission. We want to see how your skills can help shape client strategies and deliver high-impact consulting.
Showcase Your Expertise:Don’t hold back on showcasing your deep knowledge of payment technologies and standards. Use specific examples from your past experiences to demonstrate your ability to lead project teams and deliver complex engagements. We love seeing real-world applications of your skills!
Communicate Clearly:When writing your application, keep it clear and concise. Remember, you’ll need to translate complex topics into simple language for clients. Show us that you can communicate effectively, especially when it comes to influencing decision-making at senior levels.
Apply Through Our Website:We encourage you to apply directly through our website. It’s the best way for us to receive your application and ensures you’re considered for the role. Plus, it shows your enthusiasm for joining our team at Fime!
How to prepare for a job interview at Fime
✨Know Your Payments Inside Out
Make sure you brush up on your knowledge of payment technologies and standards. Familiarise yourself with EMV, tokenisation, and real-time payments, as well as any relevant regulations. Being able to discuss these topics confidently will show that you're the right fit for the role.
✨Showcase Your Consulting Experience
Prepare to share specific examples from your past consulting projects. Highlight how you've shaped client strategies and delivered high-impact solutions. This will demonstrate your ability to lead multi-disciplinary teams and manage complex engagements effectively.
✨Communicate Clearly and Confidently
Practice translating complex technical concepts into simple language. You’ll need to communicate with C-level stakeholders, so being able to convey your ideas clearly is crucial. Consider doing mock interviews to refine your communication skills.
✨Demonstrate Your People Leadership Skills
Be ready to discuss your experience in guiding and mentoring teams. Share how you've developed the next generation of payments experts and built strong relationships with clients. This will highlight your capability to lead and inspire others in a collaborative environment.