At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead European operations, enhancing customer journeys and driving growth in payments.
- Company: Join Marqeta, a leader in the payments ecosystem with a focus on innovation.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, leadership opportunities, and a dynamic work environment.
- Other info: Fast-paced, international role with significant impact on business success.
- Why this job: Shape the future of payments in Europe while building high-performance teams.
- Qualifications: 15+ years in operations, with expertise in payments and team leadership.
The predicted salary is between 100000 - 150000 £ per year.
Requirements
- 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 one or more of: issuer processing, program management, card networks, and BIN sponsorship models
- 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 organizations
- 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
- 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
What the job involves
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 rigour. 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.
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
Senior Director of Operations (EU / UK) in London employer: Marqeta
Marqeta is an exceptional employer, offering a dynamic work environment that fosters innovation and operational excellence in the fast-paced payments industry. With a strong commitment to employee growth, Marqeta provides ample opportunities for professional development and leadership advancement, all while promoting a collaborative culture that values clarity and efficiency. Located in Europe, this role allows you to be at the forefront of shaping customer experiences and driving strategic initiatives within a supportive and high-performance team.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Senior Director of Operations (EU / UK) in London
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Get out there and connect with people in the payments and financial services space. Attend industry events, join relevant online forums, and don’t be shy about reaching out to potential colleagues or mentors on LinkedIn.
✨Tip Number 2
Showcase your expertise! When you get the chance to chat with hiring managers or during interviews, make sure to highlight your deep knowledge of the payments ecosystem. Share specific examples of how you've driven operational excellence and improved customer outcomes in your previous roles.
✨Tip Number 3
Be strategic in your approach! Research the company’s current operations and think about how you can add value right from the start. Prepare some ideas on how to enhance their customer journey or streamline processes, and bring them up during discussions.
✨Tip Number 4
Apply through our website! We want to see your application come through directly. It shows you're genuinely interested in joining us at Marqeta and gives you a better chance to stand out in the crowd.
We think you need these skills to ace Senior Director of Operations (EU / UK) in London
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV:Make sure your CV speaks directly to the job description. Highlight your experience in leading operations teams, especially in payments or financial services. We want to see how your background aligns with our needs!
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter:Your cover letter is your chance to shine! Use it to tell us about your strategic vision and operational expertise. Share specific examples of how you've improved customer outcomes and reduced Time to Value in previous roles.
Showcase Leadership Skills:We’re looking for someone who can build high-performance teams. In your application, mention any experience you have in developing leaders and influencing stakeholders. This will help us see your potential fit for our culture.
Apply Through Our Website:Don’t forget to apply 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 you’re keen on joining the StudySmarter team!
How to prepare for a job interview at Marqeta
✨Know Your Stuff
Make sure you brush up on your knowledge of the payments ecosystem, especially issuer processing and card networks. Be ready to discuss your past experiences in operational excellence and how you've improved customer journeys.
✨Showcase Your Leadership Skills
Prepare examples that highlight your ability to build and develop high-performance teams. Think about times when you influenced senior stakeholders or integrated multiple delivery organisations successfully.
✨Be Strategic Yet Hands-On
Demonstrate your capability to set a vision while also being willing to roll up your sleeves. Share specific instances where you drove execution in a fast-paced environment, showing that you can balance strategy with operational rigour.
✨Communicate Clearly
Practice bridging the gap between technical and commercial teams. Be ready to explain complex concepts in simple terms, as this will show your strong communication skills and ability to create a seamless customer experience.
