Operational Lead - Merchant Acquiring in London

Hello! We’re Teya. Teya is a payment and software service provider, headquartered in London serving small, local businesses across Europe. Founded in 2019, we build easy to use, integrated tools that enable our members to accept payments and boost business performance. At Teya we believe small, local businesses are the lifeblood of our communities. We’re here because we don’t believe there’s a level playing field that gives small businesses with a fighting chance against the giants of the high street. We’re here because we see banks and legacy service providers making things harder for them. We don’t think the best technology or the best service should be reserved for those with the biggest headquarters. We’re here to fight for a future where small, local businesses can thrive, and to commit the same dedication they offer all of us. Become a part of our story. We’re looking for exceptional talent to join our mission. We offer a chance to create impact in a high-energy and connected culture, while benefiting from continuous learning opportunities, a supportive community which is proud to serve our mission, and comprehensive benefits.

Your Mission

As the Merchant Acquiring Lead, you will play a pivotal role in safeguarding Teya’s acquiring operations. Merchant acquiring is the backbone of payment processing—enabling businesses to accept card payments securely and efficiently. This role requires deep expertise in managing risk across acquiring channels, ensuring compliance with regulatory standards, and optimizing fraud and AML controls without compromising customer experience. You will lead a team responsible for monitoring transactions, detecting suspicious activity, and implementing strategies that protect both Teya and its merchants. Your leadership will help shape policies and systems that keep pace with evolving threats in the payments ecosystem.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead and manage a team focused on fraud prevention and AML within merchant acquiring.
• Develop and optimize transaction monitoring rules to enhance risk detection and operational efficiency.
• Train and mentor teams, ensuring continuous skill development and adherence to best practices.
• Collaborate with product, compliance, and operations teams to implement robust risk frameworks.
• Stay ahead of industry trends, card scheme regulations, and emerging fraud typologies to maintain a secure acquiring environment.

Essential Skills & Experience

• Proven experience in the merchant acquiring space, specifically in Fraud or AML roles (both preferred).
• Strong leadership background with experience managing teams.
• Expertise in optimizing transaction monitoring rules and risk controls.
• Demonstrated ability to train and develop teams effectively.

Nice-to-Have Skills

• Experience working in a fintech environment.
• Knowledge of the issuing space (helpful but not essential).

Teya is proud to be an equal opportunity employer. We are committed to creating an inclusive environment where everyone regardless of race, ethnicity, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, age, disability, religion, or background can thrive and do their best work. We believe that a diverse team leads to better ideas, stronger outcomes, and a more supportive workplace for all. If you require any reasonable adjustments at any stage of the recruitment process whether for interviews, assessments, or other parts of the application—we encourage you to let us know. We are committed to ensuring that every candidate has a fair and accessible experience with us.