At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead European market operations and enhance customer journey from pre-sales to program launch.
- Company: Join Marqeta, a leading tech company in the payments industry.
- Benefits: Enjoy premium medical coverage, generous time-off, and equity options.
- Other info: Hybrid role with a dynamic culture and opportunities for professional development.
- Why this job: Shape the future of payments while driving growth and operational excellence.
- Qualifications: 15+ years in operations with expertise in payments and financial services.
The predicted salary is between 100000 - 150000 € per year.
Marqeta is looking for a Senior Director, Market Operations to lead our European go‐to‐market execution across Solution Engineering, Delivery, and Program Implementation. Reporting to the European Market Owner, you will own the end‐to‐end customer journey—from pre‐sales solutioning through to program launch and expansion—while building the operational infrastructure needed to scale Marqeta's European business.
This is a senior leadership role requiring both strategic vision and operational rigor. You will shape how Marqeta delivers for its customers in Europe, driving time‐to‐value improvements, enabling revenue growth, and ensuring excellence across our card network and BIN delivery operations.
NOTE: This is a hybrid role and requires employees to be based within 35 miles of our London office. You will be expected to work on‐site two days a week, on Tuesday and Thursday, with the flexibility to work remotely on the other days.
The Impact You'll Have
- European Solutions Engineering and Delivery
- Own and scale the Solution Engineering and Delivery organisations supporting issuer‐processing and program‐management customers across Europe.
- Define clear engagement models with Sales and Account Management across the full customer lifecycle: pre‐sales, onboarding, implementation, and expansion.
- Build and maintain a standardized solutions & delivery framework that drives consistency, speed, and quality.
- Measurable KPIs spanning time‐to‐value, delivery quality, predictability, and customer satisfaction.
- Automation, process simplification, and reusable solution components.
- Ensure all solution designs are scalable, compliant, and aligned to Marqeta's product and market strategy.
- Card BIN Delivery Operations
- Own Marqeta's Card BIN delivery teams in Europe, integrating people, processes, and governance into a unified operating model.
- Standardise BIN onboarding, certification, and lifecycle management processes to ensure reliability and compliance.
- Build a scalable BIN operating model that supports future growth in European volumes and program complexity.
- Card Network Operations
- Serve as Marqeta's senior operational owner for European card network relationships (e.g., Visa, Mastercard).
- Ensure operational readiness, certification compliance, and execution excellence across all network obligations.
- Act as the escalation point for delivery, implementation, and network‐related operational issues.
- Translate network rules, mandates, and changes into clear, actionable delivery plans for internal teams.
- Cross‐Functional Integration
- Drive tight alignment between Sales, Account Management, Solution Engineering, Delivery, and BIN Operations to create a seamless customer experience.
- Eliminate handoff friction, duplicated effort, and unclear ownership across the customer journey.
- Partner with Product, Technology, Compliance, Risk, and Legal to ensure solutions are deliverable, compliant, and scalable—and to feed delivery insights back into the product roadmap.
- Strategic Growth and Organisational Scaling
- Translate European market strategy into team structure, capacity models, investment priorities, and delivery excellence metrics.
- Partner with Revenue Leadership to support multi‐year European growth objectives and organisational development.
- Build an operational culture grounded in predictability, accountability, quality, and continuous improvement.
Who You Are
- Experience & Scale
- 15+ years of experience leading Solution Engineering, Delivery, Implementation, or Customer Operations teams in payments or financial services.
- 10+ years scaling and leading large customer‐facing operational organisations in high‐growth environments.
- Deep expertise across the payments ecosystem, including issuer‐processing, program‐management, card networks, and BIN sponsorship models.
- Operational Excellence
- Strong background in process design, operational transformation, and customer journey improvement.
- Demonstrated success reducing time‐to‐value and improving customer outcomes through structured operational programs.
- Proven experience integrating teams or building unified operating models from multiple delivery organisations.
- Leadership & Influence
- Track record of building and developing high‐performance teams, including growing leaders and managers.
- Ability to influence and build trust with senior internal stakeholders and external partners, including customers and card networks.
- A strategic yet hands‐on leader—equally comfortable setting vision and rolling up their sleeves to drive execution.
- Ways of Working
- Comfortable operating in a fast‐moving, international, matrixed organization.
- Strong communicator who can bridge the gap between technical delivery teams and commercial leadership.
- High ownership mentality with a bias toward simplification, clarity, and getting things done.
Compensation and Benefits
- Premium private medical and dental coverage.
- Generous time‐off program with additional floating holiday days.
- Retirement savings program with company contribution.
- Equity in a publicly‐traded company and an employee stock purchase program.
- Monthly stipend to support our remote work model.
- Annual development stipend to support our people's growth and development.
- Family‐forming benefits and up to 20 weeks of parental leave.
- Well‐being programmes such as Modern Health, HealthKick, and more.
Equal Employment Opportunity
Marqeta is an equal opportunity employer committed to an inclusive workplace that fosters belonging. We do not discriminate based on race, colour, religion, sex (including pregnancy, lactation, childbirth, or related medical conditions), veteran status or uniformed service member status, age, national origin or ancestry, citizenship or immigration status, physical or mental disability, gender identity, gender expression, sexual orientation, genetic information, or any other characteristic protected by applicable law. We also consider qualified applicants with criminal histories, consistent with legal requirements.
Marqeta endeavors to make reasonable accommodations for applicants with disabilities. If you are an individual with a disability and require a reasonable accommodation to submit this application, complete any pre‐employment testing, or otherwise participate in the employee selection process, please submit this form with your specific accommodation request.
Personal data that is provided as part of the application and recruitment process is processed in accordance with the Applicant Privacy Notice. Additional information for California residents can be found here.
Senior Director, Operations - EU / UK in London employer: Marqeta, Inc.
Marqeta is an exceptional employer that prioritises employee growth and well-being, offering premium medical coverage, generous time-off policies, and a commitment to professional development through annual stipends. With a hybrid work model based in London, employees enjoy a collaborative culture that fosters innovation and operational excellence, while also benefiting from equity opportunities in a publicly-traded company. Join us to be part of a dynamic team that values inclusivity and drives meaningful impact in the payments ecosystem.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Senior Director, Operations - EU / UK in London
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to connections in the industry, attend relevant events, and don’t be shy about asking for introductions. The more people you know, the better your chances of landing that Senior Director role.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for interviews by researching Marqeta’s operations and recent developments. Show us you’re not just another candidate—bring insights and ideas on how you can drive their European market strategy forward.
✨Tip Number 3
Practice your pitch! Be ready to articulate your experience in leading operational teams and how you’ve driven customer satisfaction. We want to hear how you can make an impact from day one.
✨Tip Number 4
Apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets seen. Plus, it shows you’re genuinely interested in being part of the Marqeta team. Don’t miss out!
We think you need these skills to ace Senior Director, Operations - EU / UK in London
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your Application:Make sure to customise your CV and cover letter for the Senior Director role. Highlight your experience in operations, especially in payments or financial services, and how it aligns with Marqeta's goals.
Showcase Your Leadership Skills:We want to see your leadership style! Share examples of how you've built high-performance teams and influenced stakeholders. This is a senior role, so demonstrate your strategic vision and hands-on approach.
Be Clear and Concise:When writing your application, keep it straightforward. Use clear language to describe your achievements and how they relate to the responsibilities outlined in the job description. We appreciate clarity!
Apply Through Our Website:Don't forget to submit your application through our website! It’s the best way for us to receive your details and ensures you’re considered for the role. We can’t wait to hear from you!
How to prepare for a job interview at Marqeta, Inc.
✨Know Your Stuff
Make sure you have a solid understanding of Marqeta's operations, especially in the European market. Brush up on your knowledge of issuer-processing, program management, and card networks. This will help you speak confidently about how you can contribute to their goals.
✨Showcase Your Leadership Skills
As a Senior Director, you'll need to demonstrate your ability to lead high-performance teams. Prepare examples of how you've built and developed teams in the past, and be ready to discuss your approach to operational excellence and strategic growth.
✨Align with Their Vision
Familiarise yourself with Marqeta's mission and values. Be prepared to discuss how your experience aligns with their strategic objectives, particularly around customer journey improvement and operational transformation. This shows that you're not just looking for a job, but are genuinely interested in contributing to their success.
✨Ask Insightful Questions
Prepare thoughtful questions that reflect your understanding of the role and the company. Inquire about their current challenges in the European market or how they envision scaling operations. This not only shows your interest but also helps you gauge if the company is the right fit for you.
