At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead payment strategies and manage relationships with providers to enhance customer experiences.
- Company: Join loveholidays, a trailblazer in the travel industry focused on innovation and customer satisfaction.
- Benefits: Enjoy competitive salary, training budget, discounted holidays, and generous leave policies.
- Other info: Be part of a diverse team that values personal growth and collective success.
- Why this job: Shape the future of payments in a fast-paced environment while making a real impact.
- Qualifications: Experience in payments management and strong negotiation skills are essential.
At loveholidays, we trailblaze together. We’re on a mission to open the world to everyone, giving our customers unlimited choice, unmatched ease and unmissable value for their next getaway. Our team is the driving force behind our role as our customers’ personal holiday expert - the smart way to get away.
We’re using progressive tech to drive cutting-edge innovation and open the world to everyone. Within our Commercial and Support teams, you'll find a place to accelerate your growth by actively seeking learning opportunities and carving your own path. You'll create impact for our future by owning projects and shaping the business strategy to reach shared goals, all within our enhanced international community of collaborative and passionate teams.
The Payments function has been recognised as a strategic area for the business, with the capacity to significantly impact key metrics: conversion rates, cost reduction, compliance, customer satisfaction and retention.
The Senior Payments Manager at loveholidays will report into the Head of Payments and will have the opportunity to influence the future structure of the team as it continues growing. Given the cross-functional nature of payments, you will work very closely with the dedicated Product and Engineering functions responsible for Payments, as well as a multitude of internal and external stakeholders.
The role will be primarily responsible for establishing new and managing existing commercial relationships with our payment providers, agreeing new contracts, improving terms and conditions and ensuring they are able to offer us the products, features and services we need so we continue to meet customer needs across markets and across the different payments touch points:
- New, as part of the checkout journey
- Scheduled, between having booked and travel, when customers have opted for a payment plan
- Customer, when customers make ad-hoc payments through our app or the Manage My Booking portal.
The Senior Payments Manager is an expert in the Payments Industry with in-depth knowledge of the different aspects of this industry: commercial, product, technical, regulatory, and will support - and deputise for - the Head of Payments in guiding the company through key decisions as we expand internationally. In addition, this role is also responsible for maximising the incentive generated by payments on VCCs when paying direct suppliers.
Your day-to-day:
- Manage day to day relationships with our payment partners, and be a key liaison between internal and external.
- Manage the process to sign new or amend existing agreements.
- Negotiate pricing.
- Run weekly calls, QBRs, identify and track areas of opportunity.
- As Admin of these accounts, support internal controls to minimise risks.
- Working closely with key internal stakeholders, provide recommendations in terms of how to further optimise our customer payment operations, whilst ensuring alignment with the organisation's overall objectives.
- Build robust relationships with business owners in Managing, Selling, and Scaling operations.
- Keep the company informed of compliance with local and international regulatory requirements.
- Support the Head of with the forecast, budget and actual monitoring of payment processing fees.
- Stay up to date with industry trends and innovation, bringing this knowledge in-house and raising internal awareness of changes in this area.
- Stay up to date with competitor offerings in terms of payments, steering the company through ways to differentiate ourselves.
- Leverage relationships with external technical suppliers, vendors and partners to align them with our own goals and get the most out of our agreements.
- Manage and improve the operational efficiency of our VCC supplier payments, maximising acceptance and incentives.
- Teach the company about the payments industry, key trends, evolution, and the impact it could generate in the business if done right, or wrong!
Your skillset:
- Track record in managing Payments commercial relationships, negotiating and improving terms.
- Knowledgeable in the payments ecosystem, main stakeholders and drivers, not only for card payments but also for alternative forms of payments, ideally across Europe.
- Outstanding commercial insight and ability to identify and realise business opportunities.
- Extensive network and ability to find the answers for any unknown elements.
- Experience in building best in class payments journeys, balancing great customer experience whilst reducing costs and keeping fraud in check.
- Ability to translate how the company works and what it needs to external partners in order to find solutions to our needs.
- Previous experience within a fast paced/high growth business – for example, sectors such as FMCG, e-commerce or technology.
- Relentless attention to detail.
- Hands on as required and very diligent to continue to drive value accretion.
- Detailed understanding of what good looks like in terms of process and reporting.
- Excellent organisational and leadership skills.
- Outstanding communication and interpersonal abilities.
Desirable: Previous travel experience is an advantage.
The interview journey:
- First stage with Talent - 30 mins
- Second stage with Head of Payments - 60 mins
- Third stage: Case study
- Final stage: VP Commercial Finance - 45 mins
Perks of joining us:
- Company pension contributions at 5%.
- Individualised training budget for you to learn on the job and level yourself up.
- Discounted holidays for you, your family and friends.
- 25 days of holidays per annum (plus 8 public holidays) increases by 1 day for every second year of service, up to a maximum 30 days per annum.
- Ability to buy and sell annual leave.
- Cycle to work scheme, season ticket loan and eye care vouchers.
At loveholidays, we focus on developing an inclusive culture and environment that encourages personal growth and collective success. Each individual offers unique perspectives and ideas that increase the diversity and effectiveness of our teams. And we value the insight and potential you could bring on our continued journey.
Senior Payments Manager in London employer: loveholidays
At loveholidays, we pride ourselves on being an exceptional employer that fosters a collaborative and innovative work culture. Our commitment to employee growth is evident through continuous learning opportunities and a focus on impactful projects that shape the future of travel. Located in a vibrant area, we offer a dynamic environment where creativity thrives, making it an ideal place for passionate individuals to contribute to meaningful customer experiences.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Senior Payments Manager in London
✨Tip Number 1: Tap Into Professional Networks
The finance world loves a good connection, so jump into industry-specific groups on platforms like LinkedIn where you can find discussions on financial controlling. Engaging in these communities can expose you to hidden job leads that aren't openly advertised!
✨Tip Number 2: Attend Finance Events and Conferences
Make it a mission to attend finance-related events and conferences, even virtual ones! This is a golden opportunity to network face-to-face with people from companies like loveholidays. You never know who might be your next boss or a crucial contact!
✨Tip Number 3: Showcase Your Expertise
Consider writing articles or sharing insights related to financial controlling or industry trends. Publish these on platforms like LinkedIn to establish yourself as a knowledgeable player in the field. This not only increases your visibility but also catches the attention of recruiters from loveholidays.
✨Tip Number 4: Apply Directly on Company Websites
Since you're going for a full-time gig, don't forget to keep an eye on the careers page of companies you're interested in, like loveholidays. Many companies prefer candidates who apply through their website as it shows genuine interest and makes your application stand out!
We think you need these skills to ace Senior Payments Manager in London
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Off Your Numbers Game:In financial controlling, detail is everything! Make sure your CV showcases your proficiency with numbers—highlight any relevant experience in budgeting, forecasting, or working with financial software. Quantifying your past achievements will make you stand out, so don’t be shy about flaunting those impressive percentages or cost savings you've implemented.
Tailored Cover Letter is Key:Your cover letter is a chance to shine, especially for a full-time role. Use it to express your genuine interest in loveholidays and the specific impact you hope to make in financial controlling. Mention any relevant qualifications or experiences that align with the company’s goals, and don’t forget to show that you're ready for a long-term commitment!
Certifications Matter:List relevant certifications such as ACCA or CIMA on your CV. These qualifications not only showcase your dedication to the field but also your technical competence in financial principles. If you have any ongoing training or courses, make sure to mention those as well to demonstrate your commitment to continual learning in financial controlling.
Don’t Overlook Soft Skills:While numbers are crucial, so are those soft skills! Financial controllers need strong communication and analytical reasoning abilities. We recommend embedding examples of these skills in your CV and cover letter, like how you’ve successfully delivered financial reports to stakeholders or collaborated with teams to improve processes. Let’s show loveholidays how you can be a team player!
How to prepare for a job interview at loveholidays
✨Brush Up on Technical Skills
Make sure you're comfortable with key financial concepts, especially around forecasting, budgeting, and variance analysis. Sometimes, interviewers may throw in technical questions or case studies, so practicing these types of scenarios will help you shine!
✨Showcase Your Financial Acumen
If you've had experience with specific financial software like SAP or Oracle, make it known! Be ready to discuss how you used these tools to improve processes or reporting, as this hands-on knowledge can really set you apart in a full-time role with loveholidays.
✨Know Your Numbers
In full-time interviews, especially in financial controlling, be prepared for numerical reasoning tests or questions. Brush up on your mental maths and understand how to interpret and analyse financial statements on the spot, as this may come up during the assessment.
✨Connect with Company Goals
Familiarise yourself with loveholidays's financial objectives and any recent developments. During the interview, try to weave your understanding of their business model and challenges into your answers—this shows your genuine interest and alignment with their goals!
