At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead partnerships and schemes strategy for a major credit card portfolio, driving commercial impact.
- Company: Join a leading financial services firm with a commitment to inclusivity and innovation.
- Benefits: Generous pension, performance bonuses, share schemes, and 30 days' holiday.
- Other info: Flexible working options available; thrive in a dynamic, supportive environment.
- Why this job: Shape the future of credit card partnerships and make a real difference in customer engagement.
- Qualifications: Extensive experience in credit cards and partnership management, with strong leadership skills.
The predicted salary is between 85493 - 100580 £ per year.
End Date: Tuesday 02 June 2026. Salary Range £85,493 - £100,580. We support flexible working – click here for more information on flexible working options.
Flexible Working Options: Hybrid Working, Job Share.
Location: Chester or Manchester. Hours: Full-time. Working pattern: Hybrid; spend at least two days per week (40%) in one of our offices.
What you'll be doing: This is an opportunity to shape and lead the partnerships and schemes strategy behind one of the UK's largest credit card portfolios, driving real commercial impact and customer value. As a Senior Manager in our Unsecured Lending team, you'll take full ownership of credit card partnerships and card scheme relationships (Visa and Mastercard), with accountability for P&L performance, partner delivery and strategic investment of scheme funding. You will play a key role in strengthening our external partnerships while ensuring governance, compliance and operational delivery at scale.
You'll lead the end‐to‐end lifecycle of co‐brand partnerships, from identifying and selecting partners through to structuring deals, negotiating commercial terms and managing ongoing performance. You will develop and grow merchant partnerships that enhance our propositions, deepen customer engagement and drive sustainable spend growth. Working closely with card schemes, you will shape long‐term strategic relationships, manage commercial negotiations and ensure the business remains compliant with all scheme requirements, including delivery of mandatory changes. You will provide strong financial oversight across partnership portfolios, including forecasting, MI and performance tracking, while leading and developing a high‐performing team in a complex, matrixed environment.
Essential Skills
- Proven, extensive experience in credit cards, co‐brand partnerships and card schemes (Visa and Mastercard), within a financial services or payments environment
- Strong track record of leading co‐brand partnerships end‐to‐end, including structuring deals, commercial negotiation, contracting and performance management
- Experience of P&L ownership, financial planning and delivering against commercial targets
- Strong understanding of governance, regulatory requirements and operational delivery within a regulated financial services environment
- Proven ability to interpret complex external requirements (e.g. scheme rules, regulatory changes) and translate these into clear business and customer outcomes
- Experience leading or developing high‐performing teams within a matrixed organisation
Desirable Skills
- Experience within payments or wider card schemes environments beyond core credit cards
- Strong senior stakeholder management and influencing skills across internal and external partners
- Experience delivering large‐scale, cross‐functional transformation or partnership initiatives
Benefits
- Generous pension contribution of up to 15%
- Annual performance‐related bonus
- Share schemes including free shares
- Benefit tailoring: discounted shopping, 30 days' holiday plus bank holidays
- Wellbeing initiatives and generous parental leave policies
We're committed to creating an inclusive workplace where everyone can thrive, learn and develop. We provide reasonable adjustments throughout the recruitment process to reduce or remove barriers. We value diversity, equity and inclusion and welcome applicants from all backgrounds.
Senior Manager - Credit Cards Partnerships and Schemes in Chester employer: Lloyds Bank plc
As a leading player in the financial services sector, our company offers an exceptional work environment that prioritises flexibility and employee well-being. With a strong focus on professional development, we provide ample opportunities for growth within a collaborative and inclusive culture, all while being located in vibrant cities like Chester and Manchester. Our generous benefits package, including a substantial pension contribution and performance-related bonuses, further enhances the appeal of joining our dynamic team.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Senior Manager - Credit Cards Partnerships and Schemes in Chester
✨Network Like a Pro
Get out there and connect with people in the industry! Attend events, join online forums, and don’t be shy about reaching out on LinkedIn. We all know that sometimes it’s not just what you know, but who you know that can help land that dream job.
✨Ace the Interview
Prepare for your interviews by researching the company and understanding their values. Practice common interview questions and think about how your experience aligns with the role. We want you to walk in feeling confident and ready to impress!
✨Showcase Your Skills
Don’t just tell them what you can do; show them! Bring examples of your past work or projects that highlight your skills in credit card partnerships and financial oversight. We believe that demonstrating your expertise can really set you apart from the competition.
✨Apply Through Our Website
When you find a role that excites you, apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets seen by the right people. Plus, we love seeing candidates who are genuinely interested in joining our team.
We think you need these skills to ace Senior Manager - Credit Cards Partnerships and Schemes in Chester
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV:Make sure your CV speaks directly to the role of Senior Manager – Credit Cards Partnerships and Schemes. Highlight your experience with credit cards, partnerships, and P&L management. 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 tell us why you're the perfect fit for this role. Share specific examples of your past successes in managing partnerships and driving commercial impact. We love a good story!
Showcase Your Leadership Skills:As a Senior Manager, you'll be leading a team, so don’t forget to highlight your leadership experience. Talk about how you've developed high-performing teams and navigated complex environments. We’re keen to see how you inspire others!
Apply Through Our Website:We encourage you to apply through our website for a smoother application process. It’s the best way for us to receive your application and keep track of it. Plus, you’ll find all the details you need about the role there!
How to prepare for a job interview at Lloyds Bank plc
✨Know Your Partnerships
Before the interview, dive deep into the company's current credit card partnerships and schemes. Understand their strategies with Visa and Mastercard, and be ready to discuss how your experience aligns with their goals. This shows you’re not just interested in the role but also invested in their success.
✨Showcase Your Financial Acumen
Be prepared to talk about your experience with P&L ownership and financial planning. Bring specific examples of how you've driven commercial targets in previous roles. This will demonstrate your ability to manage financial performance effectively, which is crucial for this position.
✨Highlight Team Leadership Skills
Since this role involves leading a high-performing team, share your experiences in developing teams within a matrixed environment. Discuss your leadership style and how you’ve successfully managed cross-functional teams to achieve common goals.
✨Understand Regulatory Requirements
Brush up on the governance and regulatory requirements relevant to credit card partnerships. Be ready to explain how you've navigated these complexities in past roles and how you can ensure compliance while driving business outcomes.
