At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead and coordinate global RTP product execution across multiple teams and stakeholders.
- Company: Join a leading financial services company with a focus on innovation and collaboration.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, comprehensive benefits, and opportunities for professional growth.
- Other info: Work in a complex, matrixed environment with excellent career advancement opportunities.
- Why this job: Make a significant impact in a dynamic environment while enhancing your leadership skills.
- Qualifications: Senior-level experience in program management and strong stakeholder engagement skills.
The predicted salary is between 100000 - 150000 € per year.
The Real-Time Payments International (RTPI) team is seeking an experienced Director, Program Management to orchestrate, plan and lead end-to-end execution of RTP products and services across global live markets, aligning multiple teams and stakeholders. This role is accountable for ensuring that RTPI products and services are delivered with rigor, predictability, and quality in a highly complex, matrixed environment. Success requires strong planning and orchestration across Product Vertical, Technology, Operations, Markets, and Go-To-Market teams, aligning multiple stakeholders around shared priorities, milestones, and outcomes.
In this strategic position, you will:
- Orchestrate coordinated execution across a shared-ownership model, aligning multiple teams and stakeholders on priorities, milestones, dependencies, risk mitigation, and outcomes through strong influence.
- Translate strategy and roadmaps into integrated execution plans, ensuring clarity on sequencing, ownership, and interdependencies across programs and initiatives.
- Establish and maintain execution rigor, including planning cadence, progress tracking, milestone management, and transparent reporting.
- Proactively identify and mitigate risks and issues, anticipating cross-team, cross-market, and platform-level impacts on outcomes.
- Operate effectively in a complex, matrixed environment, driving alignment and accountability without direct authority through trusted stakeholder relationships.
- Inspect execution and outcomes rigorously, using delivery metrics and reviews to ensure commitments are met and corrective action is taken as needed.
- Act as a senior escalation and coordination point, resolving delivery challenges across teams and organizational boundaries.
- Enhance RTP program management capabilities and agile practices across Product & Engineering teams.
The ideal candidate for this position should:
- Have senior-level leadership experience coordinating large, complex initiatives in global, highly matrixed organizations with shared ownership across multiple functions.
- Proven ability to align diverse stakeholders and drive outcomes through influence rather than authority, including senior leaders across Product, Technology, Operations, Markets, and GTM.
- Strong execution and operational discipline, with experience establishing planning cadences, tracking progress, managing dependencies, and driving transparency through metrics and reporting.
- Demonstrated strength in risk and issue management, with the ability to anticipate challenges, surface them early, and navigate trade-offs to protect outcomes.
- Solid business and platform understanding, including how platforms, integrations, and organizational capabilities come together to deliver scalable services in multi-party ecosystems.
- Exceptional communication and leadership presence, effective at engaging and influencing audiences from executive leadership to delivery teams.
- Preferable to be a certified practitioner in either Prince2, Agile Program Management or similar qualification.
All activities involving access to Mastercard assets, information, and networks come with an inherent risk to the organization and, therefore, it is expected that every person working for, or on behalf of, Mastercard is responsible for information security and must:
- Abide by Mastercard’s security policies and practices;
- Ensure the confidentiality and integrity of the information being accessed;
- Report any suspected information security violation or breach;
- Complete all periodic mandatory security trainings in accordance with Mastercard’s guidelines.
Director, Program Management employer: Mastercard
Mastercard is an exceptional employer, offering a dynamic work culture that fosters innovation and collaboration among diverse teams. As a Director in Program Management, you will benefit from extensive professional growth opportunities, competitive compensation, and a commitment to employee well-being, all while working in a global environment that values your contributions to delivering cutting-edge RTP products and services.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Director, Program Management
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to connections in the industry, attend relevant events, and engage on platforms like LinkedIn. We can’t stress enough how personal connections can open doors that applications alone can’t.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for interviews by researching the company and its culture. We recommend practising common interview questions and tailoring your responses to highlight your experience in managing complex projects and aligning stakeholders.
✨Tip Number 3
Showcase your leadership skills! During interviews, share specific examples of how you’ve influenced teams and driven outcomes without direct authority. We want to see how you can orchestrate success in a matrixed environment.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets the attention it deserves. Plus, we love seeing candidates who are proactive about their job search!
We think you need these skills to ace Director, Program Management
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your Application:Make sure to customise your CV and cover letter to highlight your experience in managing complex initiatives. Use keywords from the job description to show that you understand what we're looking for.
Showcase Your Leadership Skills:We want to see how you've influenced teams and stakeholders in the past. Share specific examples of how you've driven outcomes without direct authority, as this is key for the role.
Be Clear and Concise:When writing your application, keep it straightforward. We appreciate clarity, so make sure your points are easy to follow and directly related to the skills and experiences we value.
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 Mastercard
✨Know Your Stuff
Before the interview, dive deep into the RTP products and services. Understand their features, benefits, and how they fit into the global market. This knowledge will help you speak confidently about how your experience aligns with the role.
✨Showcase Your Leadership Skills
Prepare examples that highlight your senior-level leadership experience in managing complex initiatives. Be ready to discuss how you've successfully aligned diverse stakeholders and driven outcomes through influence rather than authority.
✨Master the Metrics
Familiarise yourself with key performance indicators relevant to program management. Be prepared to discuss how you've used metrics to track progress, manage dependencies, and ensure transparency in previous roles.
✨Anticipate Challenges
Think of potential risks and issues that could arise in the role and how you would address them. Show that you can proactively identify challenges and navigate trade-offs to protect outcomes, demonstrating your problem-solving skills.