Head of Schemes Relationships

Head of Schemes Relationships

Full-Time 80000 - 100000 £ / year (est.) No working from home possible
U.S. Bank

At a Glance

  • Tasks: Lead relationships with major card schemes and drive commercial success across Europe.
  • Company: Join U.S. Bank, a leader in innovative financial solutions.
  • Benefits: Competitive salary, performance incentives, and continuous development opportunities.
  • Other info: Inclusive culture with a commitment to transparency and career mobility.
  • Why this job: Make a real impact in the payments industry while growing your career.
  • Qualifications: 5+ years in payments leadership with strong negotiation skills.

The predicted salary is between 80000 - 100000 £ per year.

At U.S. Bank, we’re on a journey to do our best. Helping the customers and businesses we serve to make better and smarter financial decisions, enabling the communities we support to grow and succeed in the right ways, all more confidently and more often—that’s what we call the courage to thrive. We believe it takes all of us to bring our shared ambition to life, and each person is unique in their potential. A career with U.S. Bank gives you a wide, ever-growing range of opportunities to discover what makes you thrive. Try new things, learn new skills and discover what you excel at—all from Day One.

As a wholly owned subsidiary of U.S. Bank, Elavon is committed to building the platforms and ecosystems that help over 1.5 million customers around the world to achieve their financial goals—no matter what they need. From transaction processing to customer service, to driving innovation and launching new products, we’re building a range of tailored payment solutions powered by the latest technology. As part of our team, you can explore what motivates and energizes your career goals: partnering with our customers, our communities, and each other.

We actively uphold transparent and fair hiring practices that support individual opportunity, inclusive culture, and career mobility across all levels of our organisation. We offer meaningful opportunities for growth, a culture of inclusion, and a strong commitment to transparency and integrity in everything we do.

Job Description

Working within the European commercial team covering all scheme related activity, management and operations. The role holder will be driven by achieving consistently improving commercial outcomes that are materially important to the European business. The position requires a strategic and synchronized perspective, extraordinary stakeholder management, and tried and tested change and leadership skills coupled with intellectual curiosity to identify new ideas, challenge the status quo and ultimately be passionate about our relationships with schemes.

MAIN ROLE RESPONSIBILITIES:

  • Acts as a liaison with card schemes, including but not limited too Visa, Mastercard, Discover, Amex, UPI, JCB.
  • Coaches, supports and optimises the team and their associated processes.
  • Maintains knowledge of all products and services offered by card schemes.
  • Commercial negotiations with the schemes and contract negotiations with partners.
  • Day to day performance management and analysis, driving enablement for volume growth.
  • Ensures the consistent and successful implementation of centralized initiatives and communications at the local market level.
  • Actively participates and drives relevant projects with value-based outcomes.
  • Support with customer facing discussion on cards to drive acceptance Implementation/roll out of Operational process efficiencies and/or Gap analysis for the relevant scheme, working with operations and compliance.
  • Will run the management process across all Scheme related KPI within the European financial plan, running forecasts, RCA and control of action planning.

ROLE REQUIREMENTS:

  • 5+ years in a payments industry as a leader or director.
  • Strong commercial acumen and understanding of contractual opportunities.
  • Good knowledge or European payments landscape.
  • Strong communication, negotiation and influencing skills.
  • Ability to work cross functionally and across different markets.
  • Good organizational and project management skills.
  • Effective presentation and strong verbal and written communication skills.

This role requires working from a U.S. Bank location three (3) or more days per week.

Accessibility

We are committed to providing an inclusive and accessible recruitment experience. If you need adjustments at any stage of the application or hiring process, please contact your recruiter for guidance and support.

Total Rewards

U.S. Bank is committed to fair, equitable, and transparent compensation practices in line with local regulatory and legal requirements. Our total rewards approach is designed to attract, retain, and support top talent while ensuring equal pay for work of equal value. We offer a market-competitive compensation package that includes:

  • Clearly defined salary ranges aligned with industry benchmarks and internal equity standards.
  • Performance-based incentives for eligible employees (as defined by relevant plan rules), awarded through transparent, objective criteria that recognize both individual and company performance.
  • Inclusive equitable benefits that are accessible to all employees and focused around our 3 main pillars of financial wellbeing, health & wellness.
  • Continuous development opportunities including training, education support, and career progression pathways based on inclusive and transparent criteria.
  • Employee recognition programs that celebrate achievements and milestones for all.

We regularly review our compensation and benefits to ensure they remain competitive, inclusive, and responsive to employee needs and market trends. Further details of the compensation package will be provided upon application.

We encourage candidates to explore the full value of our offer, including monetary and non-monetary benefits, at Employee benefits and development | U.S. Bank | Elavon.

Closing Date

Posting may be closed earlier due to high volume of applicants. We aim to provide timely updates throughout the process and encourage early applications to ensure consideration.

Head of Schemes Relationships employer: U.S. Bank

At U.S. Bank, we pride ourselves on fostering a culture of inclusion and growth, where every employee is empowered to thrive from Day One. Our Global Corporate Trust team offers meaningful opportunities for professional development, competitive compensation, and a commitment to transparency and integrity, all within a supportive environment that values collaboration and innovation. Located in a vibrant community, we provide our employees with the resources and flexibility needed to excel in their careers while making a positive impact on the financial decisions of our customers.

U.S. Bank

Contact Details:

U.S. Bank Recruitment Team

StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫

We think this is how you could land Head of Schemes Relationships

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 U.S. Bank. 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 Head of Schemes Relationships

Stakeholder Management
Commercial Acumen
Contract Negotiation
Performance Management
Project Management
Communication Skills
Negotiation Skills

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 U.S. Bank.

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 U.S. Bank'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 U.S. Bank

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 U.S. Bank.

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 U.S. Bank 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 U.S. Bank 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.