At a Glance
- Tasks: Drive revenue growth by closing deals and building strategic partnerships in high-risk payments.
- Company: Fast-growing payments scale-up based in Malta with ambitious targets.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, substantial bonuses, flexible location, and full relocation support.
- Why this job: Join a high-impact role where you can shape commercial strategy and make a real difference.
- Qualifications: Proven sales leadership experience in payments or fintech, especially in high-risk sectors.
- Other info: Opportunity for significant career growth and recognition in a dynamic environment.
The predicted salary is between 72000 - 84000 ÂŁ per year.
Location: Malta (HQ) | Candidates based remotely in the UK or Europe welcome (regular travel to Malta is essential, or fully funded relocation)
Salary: circa €120,000 base + substantial bonus & commission
The Opportunity:
We’re working with a fast‑growing, licensed payments scale‑up headquartered in Malta. The business is currently at 35 people and on track to grow to 50 FTE this year, with ambitious commercial targets and a clear need for senior commercial leadership that is both strategic and hands‑on.
This is a blended Sales Director role: you will personally originate, negotiate and close revenue‑generating deals, while also shaping the wider commercial strategy, building partnerships across the payment’s ecosystem, and leading a small commercial team.
If you’re someone who can open doors, get a seat at the table with senior decision‑makers, and still roll up your sleeves to close complex payments deals end‑to‑end, this role is built for you.
Role Overview:
As Sales Director, you will own revenue growth across multiple channels, with a particular focus on:
- Driving payments volume from merchants in higher‑risk sectors (e.g. gaming, gambling, travel and adjacent verticals)
- Building and closing strategic partnerships with PSPs, acquirers, banks, FI’s and other payments organisations
- Establishing scalable commercial processes while remaining directly involved in closing key deals
You must be senior enough to operate at board and partner level, yet practical enough to manage details, contracts, pricing models and onboarding processes yourself when required.
Key Responsibilities:
- Hands‑on Sales & Revenue Generation: Originate, qualify and close new merchant relationships, particularly within higher‑risk verticals. Own the full sales lifecycle end‑to‑end: prospecting, pitching, negotiation, contracting, pricing, onboarding and go‑live. Drive payments volume and long‑term revenue growth through well‑structured commercial agreements.
- Partnerships & Ecosystem Development: Build and close strategic partnerships with PSPs, acquirers, issuing banks, FI’s and other payments players. Leverage your network to open doors with tier‑one and tier‑two partners. Secure senior‑level conversations and successfully pitch commercial partnerships. Structure partnership models that are commercially robust, scalable and compliant.
- Commercial Strategy & Leadership: Define and execute the commercial strategy aligned to company growth plans. Balance short‑term revenue delivery with long‑term strategic partnerships. Manage and develop a small commercial/sales team, setting clear targets, processes and expectations. Lead by example: coaching through live deals and negotiations.
- Commercial Governance & Detail: Own pricing strategy, commercial terms and margin management. Lead complex negotiations covering pricing, risk, SLAs, contracts and legal frameworks. Work closely with legal, compliance and risk teams to ensure deals are structured correctly. Build repeatable sales and onboarding processes; details matter!
What We’re Looking For - Experience & Track Record:
- Proven experience in senior commercial or sales leadership roles within payments or fintech.
- Demonstrable track record of closing complex merchant and/or partnership deals in the payments space.
- Experience operating in higher‑risk verticals (gaming, gambling, travel, or similar).
- History of successfully building and managing partnerships with PSPs, acquirers, banks or FI’s.
- Evidence that you can open doors: who have you closed deals with, how, and at what level?
Commercial Skillset:
- Strong commercial nous: pricing, negotiation, contract structuring and margin optimisation.
- Comfortable handling legal and contractual detail.
- Highly process‑driven with attention to detail.
- Strategic thinker who can translate strategy into executable deals.
Leadership & Style:
- Experience managing and motivating a small sales or commercial team.
- Hands‑on, lead‑from‑the‑front mentality.
- Credible at C‑suite and board level, internally and externally.
- Entrepreneurial mindset suited to a scaling business.
Why Join?
- Senior, high‑impact role in a licensed, scaling payments business.
- Genuine influence over commercial direction and growth.
- Competitive package: €120k base + significant bonus & commission upside.
- Flexible location (UK/Europe) with travel or relocation fully supported.
- Opportunity to build something meaningful and be recognised & rewarded for it.
If you’ve done this before - opened the doors, secured the meetings, negotiated the deals and delivered the revenue, and you want the autonomy to do it again in a high‑growth environment, this is a standout opportunity.
Sales Director - High Risk Payments in Milton Keynes employer: Payments Recruitment Limited
Contact Detail:
Payments Recruitment Limited Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Sales Director - High Risk Payments in Milton Keynes
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Get out there and connect with industry folks on LinkedIn or at events. The more people you know, the easier it is to get those all-important introductions to decision-makers.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for those interviews by researching the company inside out. Know their products, competitors, and recent news. This shows you're genuinely interested and ready to hit the ground running.
✨Tip Number 3
Practice your pitch! You need to be able to sell yourself just like you would sell a product. Highlight your achievements and how they relate to the role of Sales Director in high-risk payments.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets seen by the right people. Plus, we love seeing candidates who are proactive about their job search.
We think you need these skills to ace Sales Director - High Risk Payments in Milton Keynes
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV speaks directly to the role of Sales Director in High Risk Payments. Highlight your experience in closing complex deals and managing partnerships, especially in higher-risk sectors like gaming or travel.
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: Your cover letter is your chance to shine! Use it to tell us why you're the perfect fit for this role. Share specific examples of how you've driven revenue growth and built strategic partnerships in the payments space.
Showcase Your Commercial Acumen: We want to see your strong commercial nous! In your application, mention your experience with pricing strategies, contract negotiations, and how you've successfully managed margins in previous roles.
Apply Through Our Website: Don't forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way for us to receive your application and ensures you’re considered for this exciting opportunity. We can’t wait to hear from you!
How to prepare for a job interview at Payments Recruitment Limited
✨Know Your Numbers
As a Sales Director, you'll need to demonstrate your understanding of revenue generation. Be prepared to discuss specific metrics from your previous roles, such as sales growth percentages and deal sizes. This shows you can back up your experience with hard data.
✨Master the Art of Storytelling
When discussing your past experiences, frame them as stories that highlight your successes in closing complex deals. Use the STAR method (Situation, Task, Action, Result) to structure your answers, making it easier for interviewers to see your impact.
✨Research the Company and Its Ecosystem
Familiarise yourself with the payments landscape, especially in higher-risk sectors like gaming and gambling. Understand the company's position within this ecosystem and be ready to discuss how you can leverage your network to build strategic partnerships.
✨Showcase Your Leadership Style
Since this role involves managing a small team, be prepared to talk about your leadership approach. Share examples of how you've motivated teams in the past, particularly during challenging negotiations or when driving revenue growth.