Head of Global Partnerships - Cards

Head of Global Partnerships - Cards

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

At a Glance

  • Tasks: Lead global card partnerships and shape Wise's card strategy for international expansion.
  • Company: Wise, a tech company revolutionising how the world manages money.
  • Benefits: Competitive salary, diverse team culture, and opportunities for career growth.
  • Other info: Join a diverse team committed to building inclusive financial solutions for everyone.
  • Why this job: Make a real impact on global payments and help millions manage their money better.
  • Qualifications: Experience with Visa/Mastercard, strong negotiation skills, and a passion for problem-solving.

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

Wise is a global technology company, building the best way to move and manage the world’s money. Min fees. Max ease. Full speed. Whether people and businesses are sending money to another country, spending abroad, or making and receiving international payments, Wise is on a mission to make their lives easier and save them money.

We're looking for a Head of Global Card Expansion to own one of the most important parts of Wise's global payments infrastructure. You’ll own the partnerships that underpin both how customers spend with Wise and how they pay Wise. Your decisions will shape the future of the Wise Card, our card funding capabilities, and the commercial partnerships that support millions of customers around the world.

This isn't a traditional partnerships role. You’ll own Wise's global strategy across Visa, Mastercard, and our acquiring partners, ensuring they enable our mission. You'll shape how we launch the Wise Card into new markets, how customers fund their Wise Account using cards, and how we build commercial partnerships that improve customer outcomes while strengthening the economics of our global card programmes.

You’ll work across Product, Banking & Expansion, Treasury, Finance, Compliance, Legal and Engineering to solve complex problems and help Wise continue to scale globally.

Your mission:

  • Own Wise's global card partnerships: Own our executive relationships with Visa, Mastercard, our issuer banking partners and strategic acquiring partners. Define how Wise works with these organisations globally, aligning commercial strategy, product priorities and expansion goals to create long‑term competitive advantage. You’ll represent Wise in commercial negotiations, product forums and strategic planning, while ensuring our partnerships continue to support Wise's ambitious growth plans globally.
  • Build and scale the world's best global card programme: Define the strategy for Wise's global card programmes across issuing and card acceptance. Lead complex commercial negotiations covering network economics, incentives, issuer partnerships, acquiring relationships and long‑term commercial frameworks. Own the commercial models that underpin our card business and continually improve the economics of how customers spend with Wise and fund their Wise Account.
  • Enable global expansion: Partner with regional Banking & Expansion teams to launch the Wise Card into new markets and new legal entities. Work directly with regional Visa and Mastercard teams and local partners to define market strategy, remove blockers and accelerate launches.
  • Build compliant, scalable card programmes: Work closely with Compliance, Financial Crime and Legal teams to ensure our card partnerships and programmes remain compliant as Wise scales.
  • Be Wise's card ecosystem expert: Become the company's go‑to expert on the global card ecosystem. You’ll understand the technical, operational and commercial detail behind card schemes, issuer processing, acquiring, settlement, interchange, network economics, certification, digital wallets and payment acceptance.

This role will give you the opportunity to:

  • Own some of Wise's most strategic external partnerships and represent Wise with senior leaders across Visa, Mastercard, issuer banks and global acquiring partners.
  • Shape the future of one of Wise's fastest-growing products by influencing how the Wise Card expands globally.
  • Lead commercial negotiations that directly improve customer outcomes and the economics of Wise's global card programmes.
  • Work on complex international launches, partnering with regional teams to bring new card products and payment capabilities to market.
  • Solve difficult commercial, technical and regulatory challenges across multiple markets where no playbook exists.
  • Define how Wise partners with the global card ecosystem for the next decade while remaining hands‑on in making that strategy a reality.

Qualifications

We’re not looking for someone who ticks every box, but we’d love to hear from you if you have experience in most of these areas:

  • You’ve worked directly with Visa, Mastercard or both, and know how to navigate large global organisations to get things done.
  • You have deep expertise across the card ecosystem, including issuing, acquiring, scheme rules, network economics, commercial models and payment acceptance.
  • You’ve negotiated complex commercial agreements with card schemes, issuer banks or acquiring partners.
  • You’ve launched or scaled card programmes across multiple markets, working closely with schemes, regulators and local banking partners.
  • You have experience navigating the regulatory and financial crime requirements that underpin global card programmes and are comfortable working directly with Compliance, Legal and Financial Crime teams to solve complex problems.
  • You enjoy rolling up your sleeves and getting into the detail.
  • You’ve led complex cross‑functional initiatives, bringing together Product, Engineering, Compliance, Legal and Commercial teams to deliver ambitious outcomes.
  • Most importantly, you’re excited about building the infrastructure that enables millions more people to live and work internationally.

Additional Information

For everyone, everywhere. We’re people building money without borders — without judgement or prejudice, too. We believe teams are strongest when they are diverse, equitable and inclusive. We’re proud to have a truly international team, and we celebrate our differences. Inclusive teams help us live our values and make sure every Wiser feels respected, empowered to contribute towards our mission and able to progress in their careers.

Head of Global Partnerships - Cards employer: Wise

Wise is an exceptional employer that prioritises the well-being and professional growth of its employees. With a dynamic work culture that fosters innovation and collaboration, team members are encouraged to develop their skills while contributing to meaningful resilience strategies on a global scale. Located in a vibrant city, Wise offers competitive benefits and unique opportunities for career advancement, making it an ideal place for those seeking a rewarding and impactful career.

Wise

Contact Details:

Wise Recruitment Team

StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫

We think this is how you could land Head of Global Partnerships - Cards

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 Wise. 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 Global Partnerships - Cards

Partnership Management
Commercial Negotiation
Card Ecosystem Expertise
Regulatory Compliance
Financial Crime Knowledge
Market Strategy Development
Cross-Functional Leadership

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 Wise.

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 Wise'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 Wise

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 Wise.

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 Wise 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 Wise 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.