At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead European operations, enhancing customer journeys and driving growth.
- Company: Join Marqeta, a dynamic player in the payments industry.
- Benefits: Enjoy premium medical coverage, generous time off, and equity options.
- Other info: Hybrid role with excellent career development opportunities.
- Why this job: Shape the future of payments while making a real impact in Europe.
- Qualifications: 15+ years in operations with expertise in payments or 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 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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 organizational 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.
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 organizations.
Leadership and 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
- Wellbeing programs i.e. Modern Health, HealthKick and much more…
Senior Director, Operations - EU / UK employer: MQ Referrals Only
Marqeta is an exceptional employer that fosters a dynamic and inclusive work culture, offering employees the chance to lead transformative projects in the fast-paced payments industry. With a strong emphasis on professional growth, generous benefits including premium medical coverage, equity options, and a supportive environment for family-forming, Marqeta empowers its team members to thrive both personally and professionally while working in a hybrid model from their London office. Join us to make a meaningful impact in the European market and be part of a collaborative team dedicated to excellence and innovation.
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 your connections in the industry, especially those who might know someone at Marqeta. A friendly chat can open doors and give you insider info that could set you apart.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for the interview by understanding Marqeta’s operations inside out. Familiarise yourself with their products and recent news. This shows you're genuinely interested and ready to hit the ground running!
✨Tip Number 3
Practice your pitch! Be ready to articulate how your experience aligns with the role of Senior Director, Operations. Highlight your leadership skills and operational excellence—make it clear why you’re the perfect fit.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets seen. Plus, it shows you’re serious about joining the Marqeta team. Let’s make it happen!
We think you need these skills to ace Senior Director, Operations - EU / UK
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV:Make sure your CV is tailored to the role of Senior Director, Operations. Highlight your experience in leading operations and customer journey improvements, especially in the payments or financial services sector. 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 explain why you're the perfect fit for Marqeta. Share specific examples of how you've driven operational excellence and scaled teams in previous roles. We love a good story that showcases your leadership skills!
Showcase Your Strategic Vision:In your application, don’t forget to express your strategic vision for the role. We’re looking for someone who can not only manage but also innovate. Share your thoughts on how you would approach scaling our European operations and improving customer satisfaction.
Apply Through Our Website:We encourage you to apply directly through our website. It’s the best way to ensure your application gets into the right hands. Plus, you’ll find all the details about the role and our company culture there!
How to prepare for a job interview at MQ Referrals Only
✨Know Your Stuff
Before the interview, dive deep into Marqeta's operations and their role in the payments ecosystem. Familiarise yourself with their products, services, and recent news. This will not only help you answer questions confidently but also show your genuine interest in the company.
✨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, focusing on your strategic vision and operational excellence. Be ready to discuss how you can translate Marqeta’s European market strategy into actionable plans.
✨Prepare for Scenario Questions
Expect scenario-based questions that assess your problem-solving skills and operational rigour. Think about challenges you've faced in previous roles, particularly in scaling operations or improving customer outcomes, and be ready to share how you tackled them.
✨Engage with the Interviewers
Interviews are a two-way street! Prepare thoughtful questions about Marqeta’s future in Europe, their approach to operational challenges, and how they measure success. This shows you're not just interested in the role, but also in contributing to the company's growth.
