At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead European operations, driving 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 excellent growth opportunities in a dynamic environment.
- Why this job: Shape the future of payments while making a real impact in Europe.
- Qualifications: 15+ years in operations with expertise in payments and financial services.
The predicted salary is between 90000 - 120000 £ 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 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.
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
- 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 organisations.
- 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 organisation.
- 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 programme with company contribution
- Equity in a publicly‑traded company and an Employee Stock Purchase Programme
- 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
- Wellbeing programmes (e.g., Modern Health, HealthKick and more)
Equal Employment Opportunity, Accommodations and Privacy
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 (including testing or characteristics) 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 employer: Marqeta
Marqeta is an exceptional employer that prioritises employee well-being and professional growth, offering a hybrid work model that balances on-site collaboration in London with the flexibility of remote work. With comprehensive benefits including premium medical coverage, generous time off, and a commitment to diversity and inclusion, Marqeta fosters a supportive and innovative work culture where employees can thrive and contribute to meaningful projects in the fast-paced payments industry.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Senior Director, Operations - EU / UK
✨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. We all know that sometimes it’s not just what you know, but who you know that can help you land that dream role.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for interviews by researching Marqeta and its operations in Europe. Understand their products and how they fit into the market. We want you to show up with insights and questions that demonstrate your strategic thinking and operational expertise.
✨Tip Number 3
Practice your pitch! Be ready to articulate your experience in leading operations and driving customer success. We suggest rehearsing with a friend or using video to refine your delivery and ensure you come across as confident and engaging.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to follow up after interviews! A quick thank-you email can go a long way in keeping you top of mind. We recommend mentioning something specific from your conversation to show you were engaged and are genuinely interested in the role.
We think you need these skills to ace Senior Director, Operations - EU / UK
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your Application:Make sure to customise your CV and cover letter for the Senior Director, Operations role. Highlight your experience in leading Solution Engineering and Delivery teams, and how you've driven operational excellence in previous roles. We want to see how your skills align with our needs!
Showcase Your Achievements:Don’t just list your responsibilities—show us what you’ve accomplished! Use metrics and specific examples to demonstrate how you've improved Time to Value or customer satisfaction in past positions. This will help us understand the impact you've made in your previous roles.
Be Clear and Concise:When writing your application, keep it straightforward and to the point. Avoid jargon and make sure your key points stand out. We appreciate clarity, so make it easy for us to see why you're the right fit for this senior leadership role.
Apply Through Our Website:We encourage you 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. Plus, it shows us you’re keen on joining our team at Marqeta!
How to prepare for a job interview at Marqeta
✨Know Your Stuff
Make sure you have a solid understanding of Marqeta's operations, especially in the European market. Familiarise yourself with their card network relationships and BIN delivery processes. This will help you demonstrate your expertise and show that you're ready to hit the ground running.
✨Showcase Your Leadership Skills
As a Senior Director, you'll need to exhibit strong leadership qualities. Prepare examples of how you've successfully led teams in high-growth environments, focusing on operational transformation and customer journey improvements. Highlight your ability to build high-performance teams and develop future leaders.
✨Align with Company Values
Marqeta values inclusivity and a strong operational culture. Be ready to discuss how your personal values align with theirs. Share experiences where you've fostered a sense of belonging within your teams or contributed to a positive workplace culture.
✨Prepare for Strategic Discussions
Expect to engage in conversations about strategic growth and organisational scaling. Brush up on your knowledge of the payments ecosystem and be prepared to discuss how you would translate market strategies into actionable plans. Show that you can think both strategically and operationally.