Head of Contactless Payments

The Poppy Appeal are looking for an experienced and motivated Head of Contactless Payments to lead the growth and optimisation of cashless donation solutions for the award-winning Poppy Appeal. As contactless payments continue to rise in popularity, it’s essential that we adapt and maximise their potential for fundraising efforts. In 2024, 20% of donations to the Poppy Appeal were made through contactless, and with the trend of digital transactions growing rapidly, we need someone with the expertise to drive both the development and implementation of innovative solutions.

This role will focus on maximising existing systems and exploring new technologies to ensure the long-term success of the appeal while leading the way in the charity sector. Come and be part of the leading Armed Forces charity, making a difference to the lives of those who have served to keep us safe and protect our way of life.

In this role, you will be responsible for overseeing the full management of cashless donation solutions, including planning, delivery, and ongoing evaluation. You will manage relationships with suppliers, ensuring smooth operation of payment tools, and work with internal teams to ensure that the necessary processes, support, and training are in place. Your leadership will be key to ensuring that contactless solutions are integrated into the Poppy Appeal’s activities, while also driving income generation.

Additionally, you will manage a team of two permanent staff, supporting them in planning, deployment, and testing to ensure that the use of contactless technology and the ROI is maximised. With an annual budget of around £2 million, you will have direct responsibility for managing the financial aspects of contactless payment systems, contributing to the forecasting of income, and identifying potential savings.

Leading the Poppy Appeal’s cashless workstream, you will collaborate with stakeholders at all levels to manage risks, streamline payment processes, and ensure effective communication across teams. Furthermore, you will play a key role in supplier tender processes, working closely with procurement, legal, and finance departments to ensure smooth partnerships and deliver successful outcomes.

We are proud to offer a flexible working environment that supports a healthy work-life balance. We understand that individual needs vary, and we are committed to providing the flexibility necessary for you to perform at your best, while also enjoying personal time. If you are seeking a challenging and rewarding opportunity with an organisation that values its people and their contributions, we would be delighted to hear from you.

Here at RBL, we aim to support our people and their wellbeing, with a package including generous paid holiday allowance (starts at 28 days) and pension scheme contributions, and a range of optional benefits and discounts. You will be contracted to your home address, and you will perform most of your work remotely, using our collaboration tools to work with colleagues, with occasional travel, including for monthly team meetings. Along with the flexibility of remote working, the role will involve regular travel to our London head office, Haig House, and our Aylesford site, offering opportunities for in-person collaboration and connection with the wider team.

For more detailed information about the role, please see our Vacancy Information Pack attached to our direct advert. RBL is committed to creating a diverse and inclusive organisation, reflecting the diversity of the armed forces community and of wider society. We welcome applications from people of all backgrounds and personal characteristics.

Interview Dates: First interviews to take place on 14th and 18th March via Teams, 2nd Interviews in Haig House London dates TBC. We may close this vacancy early if we believe we have enough strong applications to be able to successfully fill the role(s). Interested candidates are encouraged to apply as soon as possible.