At a Glance
- Tasks: Drive new business in the payments sector and lead a dynamic sales team.
- Company: Fast-growing financial infrastructure company at the forefront of open banking.
- Benefits: Uncapped earnings, direct CEO access, and a culture of integrity and action.
- Other info: Opportunity for significant influence on go-to-market strategy and career growth.
- Why this job: Shape the future of payments with innovative technology and AI-driven strategies.
- Qualifications: 8+ years in enterprise sales with a strong track record in payments.
The predicted salary is between 100000 - 150000 £ per year.
About the Company
Our client is a profitable, high-growth financial infrastructure business connecting applications directly to bank accounts across Europe and beyond — powering account-to-account payments, enriched financial data, and intelligent money movement at scale. Their customers include some of the world's largest technology companies, leading fintechs, and major payment platforms. The market they operate in is about to get significantly bigger. New European regulation is expanding the scope of open banking and open finance, and agentic AI is starting to move payments and financial data on behalf of users — all of which runs on exactly the kind of infrastructure this company provides. They are scaling into their next chapter of growth and are hiring a Sales Director to help shape it.
The Role
You will own enterprise new business across the Payments vertical — PSPs, payment processors, acquirers, and enterprise financial institutions — while leading and developing a team of Account Executives. It’s a player‑coach mandate: you carry your own number, front the most strategic deals in the pipeline, and set the standard your team performs to. Your bonus is uncapped and weighted across both personal and team performance, reflecting accountability for the whole unit, not just your own book. You’ll report directly to the CEO, with the reporting line moving to a Chief Commercial Officer as the organisation grows. Beyond the pipeline, you’ll act as a visible ambassador for the business at industry events and feed market intelligence back into product and go-to-market strategy. This is emphatically not a caretaker role for a steady book of business. It suits someone who wakes up thinking about pipeline, who is genuinely obsessed with the payments landscape — fiat, crypto, stablecoins, and the rails that connect them — and who treats AI as a fundamental operating advantage rather than a buzzword.
Key Responsibilities
- New business: originate, build, and convert a high-quality pipeline of strategic enterprise opportunities from first contact through to contract signature
- Executive relationships: develop and maintain C-suite and senior stakeholder relationships across target accounts, and lead complex multi-stakeholder negotiations with confidence
- Team leadership: coach, mentor, and hold a team of Account Executives accountable — creating a culture of ambition, rigour, and continuous improvement through your own behaviour and results
- Cross‑functional execution: partner with SDR, pre‑sales, product, and leadership to land and expand enterprise accounts
- AI‑first ways of working: embed AI across account research, personalisation, proposal quality, competitive intelligence, and deal strategy — and set that benchmark for the team
- Market presence: represent the business credibly in the payments ecosystem and channel market insight into the product and GTM roadmap
Your Profile
- Significant enterprise sales experience (8+ years) in payments, open banking, or financial services, with a track record of closing large, complex deals
- Fluent across the full payments stack — card schemes, A2A and real‑time rails, stablecoin settlement, and crypto‑native architectures — and able to speak the language of PSPs, acquirers, processors, and enterprise fintechs
- Proven experience leading or developing sales teams, with a lead‑from‑the‑front style
- A demonstrable, hands‑on commitment to using AI tools throughout your sales process — and the ability to show how it has raised your output
- Comfortable navigating multi‑stakeholder enterprise deals at C-suite level
- Strong commercial acumen and exceptional storytelling: you can turn complex technical propositions into compelling business cases
- Hungry, self‑directed, and standard‑setting — you don't wait to be managed
Early Success
Within the first three months, you’ll be expected to have a clear view of the addressable pipeline and your own opportunities in motion, a coaching plan in place for every member of your team, credible C-suite conversations underway across new target accounts, and at least one meaningful market insight fed back into the product or commercial roadmap — all while visibly demonstrating what AI‑powered sales execution looks like.
Why Join
- A profitable, growing business at the centre of a market with strong regulatory and technological tailwinds
- Genuine ownership: a senior commercial seat with direct CEO access and real influence on go-to-market strategy
- A high‑standard, fast‑moving culture that prizes quality, curiosity, integrity, and bias to action
- Uncapped earning potential across personal and team performance
Sales Director employer: Payments & Cards Network
Join a dynamic and profitable financial infrastructure company that is at the forefront of the evolving payments landscape. With a culture that values quality, curiosity, and integrity, you will have genuine ownership in your role as Sales Director, working closely with the CEO and influencing go-to-market strategies. The company offers uncapped earning potential and a fast-paced environment that fosters continuous improvement and personal growth, making it an excellent employer for those passionate about driving innovation in the financial sector.
Contact Details:
Payments & Cards Network Recruitment Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Sales Director
✨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 Payments & Cards Network. 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 Sales Director
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 Payments & Cards Network.
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 Payments & Cards Network'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 Payments & Cards Network
✨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 Payments & Cards Network.
✨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 Payments & Cards Network 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 Payments & Cards Network 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.
