At a Glance
- Tasks: Manage card operations, ensuring smooth payment processes and compliance with industry standards.
- Company: Join a leading organisation transforming payment operations globally.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, flexible working options, and opportunities for professional growth.
- Other info: Collaborative team environment with excellent career advancement potential.
- Why this job: Be at the forefront of payment innovation and make a real impact in the industry.
- Qualifications: Experience in card scheme operations and strong analytical skills required.
The predicted salary is between 50000 - 65000 £ per year.
The Payment Operations team plays a key role in the organisation’s transformation journey—modernising processes, driving automation, and building a scalable, best-in-class payments operation. The team manages critical global relationships with payment networks, card schemes, acquirers, processors, and associated service providers, overseeing operational performance, issue resolution, compliance activities, and escalation management.
The function works closely with teams across the business to deliver operational excellence, improve efficiency, and support evolving customer and regulatory requirements.
The Payment Operations team ensures payments operate smoothly today while improving future operational capabilities. The team supports card schemes, payment networks, acquirers, processors, and service providers globally, managing projects, operational controls, issue resolution, and escalations across multiple payment rails. Collaboration across Technology, Compliance, Finance, and Operations is central to delivering resilient and efficient payment services.
The Senior Payment Operations Specialist supports operational continuity across card and payment schemes, with a primary focus on Visa and Mastercard activity. The role is responsible for managing scheme controls, including bulletins, registrations, validations, monthly checks, investigations, and supporting BAU coverage across payment rails such as Faster Payments when required.
Acting as a subject matter expert for card scheme changes, the role supports transformation initiatives and client implementations, including BIN configuration, programme set-up, certifications, validations, and mandatory scheme-driven updates. This involves working closely with processors, networks, and internal stakeholders to translate requirements into operational actions and confirm successful delivery.
The role also contributes to operational change impacting payment schemes by advising on controls, readiness, operational impacts, and implementation best practices to ensure changes are introduced safely and effectively.
Key Responsibilities- Monitor and implement card scheme bulletins and required updates (e.g. Visa, Mastercard, regulatory changes).
- Manage ICA/BIN registrations and programme configuration activities, including certifications and validations.
- Perform monthly compliance checks and investigations relating to card scheme adherence.
- Liaise with card networks and processors to resolve operational issues and maintain compliance.
- Build and maintain effective relationships with schemes, acquirers, processors, and internal stakeholders.
- Coordinate operational escalations and incident resolution activities.
- Partner with Finance, Compliance, and Technology teams to support readiness, evidence gathering, and BAU handover for scheme implementations and changes.
- Provide operational coverage across payment rails, including monitoring and issue triage.
- Support timely processing of inbound and outbound payments and associated requests.
- Assist with reconciliation issues and resolution of operational discrepancies with Finance and service providers.
- Maintain awareness of scheme rules and translate changes into operational controls and actions.
- Support and mentor junior team members, sharing payments and scheme knowledge.
- Prepare operational reporting and identify recurring risks, trends, and issues.
- Drive practical process improvements to reduce manual effort, improve resilience, and enhance customer outcomes.
- Experience delivering card scheme implementations and mandatory change activities (e.g. scheme updates, configurations, validations, certifications).
- Strong understanding of scheme rules, operational controls, and BAU readiness planning.
- Strong analytical and problem-solving skills with the ability to identify trends and operational improvements.
- Experience with planning, governance, RAID/action tracking, and stakeholder management.
- High attention to detail and ability to manage complex operational processes.
- Strong communication skills with confidence presenting updates to stakeholders and senior audiences.
- Experience within an issuer, fintech, or programme management environment supporting card scheme operations or implementations.
- Knowledge of UK payment schemes including Faster Payments, Direct Debit, Confirmation of Payee, Bacs, and SEPA.
- Exposure to UAT support, operational cutovers, and BAU handover activities.
- Familiarity with operational resilience frameworks and risk management practices.
- Experience working within a global or follow-the-sun operating model.
Senior Card Operations Specialist employer: PaymentGenes
As a Senior Card Operations Specialist, you will thrive in a dynamic and collaborative environment that prioritises innovation and operational excellence. Our company offers a supportive work culture with ample opportunities for professional growth, ensuring you can develop your skills while contributing to the transformation of payment operations. Located in a vibrant area, we provide a unique chance to engage with global payment networks and enhance your career in a forward-thinking organisation.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Senior Card Operations Specialist
✨Tap into Campus Networks
If you're still in uni, don’t forget to engage with your campus's career services and attend finance-related events. Banks often do presentations and recruitment drives on campus, so put yourself out there and make use of these opportunities to show off your passion for the field.
✨Get Certified
Consider pursuing relevant certifications like the CFA or ACCA while you’re job hunting. They not only beef up your CV but also connect you with professional bodies which can lead to networking opportunities and even job openings in banking and financial services.
✨Connect on Professional Platforms
Join finance-focused groups on platforms like LinkedIn and engage in discussions. This can really help you stand out from the crowd, allowing potential employers to see your knowledge and interest in industry trends. Plus, you might stumble upon job postings shared exclusively within the group.
✨Apply Directly and Be Proactive
Don’t shy away from reaching out directly to firms like PaymentGenes. Use their websites and apply through them, but also consider following up with a polite email to express your enthusiasm. Being proactive can make a huge difference in getting noticed in the competitive financial services sector.
We think you need these skills to ace Senior Card Operations Specialist
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Off Your Numbers!:In the banking and financial services world, quantifiable achievements are key. Make sure your CV highlights your grades in relevant subjects, any financial certifications you hold, and specific projects where you've delivered measurable results. Employers love to see how your skills translate into real-world success.
Tailor Your Cover Letter to the Role:When applying for a full-time position, your cover letter should make a direct connection between your experience and the job description. Don't just state your enthusiasm for finance—dive into how your background in banking or financial analysis sets you apart. Let your passion shine through while being specific about what you can bring to PaymentGenes.
Include Relevant Financial Software Experience:If you've worked with financial modelling tools or software like Excel, SAP, or specific analytical tools during your studies or internships, bring that up! Highlighting your proficiency can really make your application pop and show you're ready to hit the ground running in a full-time role.
Research and Reflect:Before hitting that 'apply' button on PaymentGenes's website, do a little digging. Look up their recent projects, values, and culture. Reflecting their ethos in your application can make a huge difference and show you’re genuinely interested in being part of the team!
How to prepare for a job interview at PaymentGenes
✨Brush Up on Financial Analysis Skills
Make sure you're well-versed in financial concepts and analytical techniques relevant to banking and financial services. Get comfortable with tools like Excel for modelling or financial forecasting, as technical questions in this area are common during interviews with PaymentGenes.
✨Prepare for Case Studies
Expect to tackle case studies that demonstrate your problem-solving skills in real-world banking scenarios. Familiarise yourself with the types of problems you might face—think risk assessments or investment evaluations—and be ready to articulate your thought process clearly.
✨Show Your Passion for Finance
Since this is a full-time position, employers at PaymentGenes will be keen to see your genuine interest in finance. Be prepared to discuss recent industry trends or news articles that excite you, showcasing your enthusiasm and engagement with the field.
✨Network with Industry Professionals
Before your interview, reach out to current or former PaymentGenes employees on platforms like LinkedIn. They'll offer unique insights into the company's culture and the interview process, which can give us a delightful edge in showcasing a good fit for the team.
