Regional Payment Operations Lead

Regional Payment Operations Lead

Full-Time 75600 - 92400 £ / year (est.) Working from home possible
Zepz

At a Glance

  • Tasks: Lead payment operations to ensure seamless global transactions and optimise performance.
  • Company: Join Zepz, a mission-driven fintech breaking down financial barriers worldwide.
  • Benefits: Enjoy unlimited leave, great healthcare, and tailored perks in a remote-first culture.
  • Other info: Be part of a vibrant team that values trust, ownership, and continuous learning.
  • Why this job: Make a real impact on global finance while working with a diverse, dynamic team.
  • Qualifications: Experience in high-volume payment operations and strong problem-solving skills required.

The predicted salary is between 75600 - 92400 £ per year.

Join Zepz: Breaking Down Borders, Together

Our Meaningful Mission

At Zepz, we're all about breaking down barriers for our customers and our teammates. Our purpose is deeply personal; we provide a lifeline and deliver opportunities to cross-border communities that need it most through cutting-edge finance and tech. Zepz is the power behind WorldRemit and Sendwave, driven by the mission to celebrate the incredible impact migrants have, both at home and abroad. We're not just moving money; we're building a world that truly recognises and supports global connections.

Who You'll Be Joining

We look for mission-driven builders who thrive in a fast-paced environment connected to a true purpose. We’re an always developing team of experts that enjoy problem-solving and bring clarity to tough challenges. At Zepz, we are Relentless Learners, always seeking feedback, and Responsible Owners, treating company resources like your own. We depend on Transparent Communicators who keep the team aligned through open, honest talk.

Our Core Commitments — What We Live By

  • Integrity: We always do the right thing. It’s simple, but it’s the foundation of everything we build for our customers and each other.
  • Outcomes: We work for our customers. Their success and prosperity are the results we focus on delivering.
  • Velocity: We are fast! We maintain high energy levels and make smart decisions quickly, keeping us nimble and ahead of the curve.

Perks of Joining Our Team

We believe in empowering colleagues because we genuinely trust our team. Our culture is founded on this high trust, which naturally encourages the high ownership that drives us to meet our shared high expectations and deliver high performance. Our remote-first culture means you have the flexibility to work in your employing country wherever you feel the most focused and productive. This freedom comes with wonderful tailored, location-specific perks designed to support your whole life, not just your work. Think unlimited annual leave, great healthcare benefits, and employee discounts. We want you to thrive and focus entirely on making your biggest impact! In turn, we expect you to bring high ownership and commitment to your work. This is a place where we value trust and high performance, and we'll provide the environment and support needed for you to excel.

About the Role

At Zepz, payment operations aren't just a back-office function - they are the critical engine that powers our global cross-border network across WorldRemit and Sendwave. As the Payment Operations Director, you will be a hands-on leader who stays deeply in the detail, not above it. Sitting at the intersection of Finance, Engineering, Product, and external payout partners, you will serve as the senior operational owner of all payment functions. By driving down transaction costs and optimising routing velocity, you will directly influence company margins and enable the product team to launch more competitive corridor pricing globally. Your mission is to build an operationally rigorous ecosystem that ensures millions of multi-currency transactions flow seamlessly, automates manual workflows, reduces financial exposure, and optimises transaction execution across sixty continents.

What you bring to the table

  • Deep payment operations & rail expertise: Extensive, hands-on leadership experience running high-volume payment operations inside a global FinTech, FX, or cross-border remittance environment.
  • Operational decisiveness: You are a proactive problem solver who makes calls quickly with the information available, driving resolutions without waiting for perfect conditions or full consensus.
  • Data-driven accountability: Strong capability to translate operational data into a clear point of view for senior leadership, using metrics to hold both internal cross-functional teams and external stakeholders accountable.

What you will focus on

  • Payment rails & corridor operations: Drive end-to-end transaction execution across all global payment corridors, ensuring the reliable, accurate, and timely delivery of funds across bank transfers, card networks, mobile wallets, and cash payout networks.
  • Decisive route & partner management: Own corridor-level performance metrics (success rates, payout speed, cost).
  • Transaction monitoring & exception handling: Build and continuously improve real-time monitoring of transaction flows to detect issues early. Refine escalation paths and playbooks to resolve transaction exceptions immediately before they impact customers, treating time-to-resolution as a core metric.
  • Process excellence & automation strategy: Design, document, and continuously improve the core operational processes that underpin payment execution, ledger matching, and reconciliation. Partner with Engineering and Product to drive the automation of manual workflows and treat SOPs/runbooks as live operational tools.
  • Hands-on team leadership: Build, manage, and scale a high-performing team of payment operations specialists, analysts, and team leads. Set clear goals, conduct regular performance reviews, and foster a team culture grounded in extreme ownership, operational rigor, and direct accountability.
  • Reporting & strategic leadership: Define and own the entire KPI framework for Payment Operations (including exception volumes, processing times, transaction success rates, and partner SLA performance). Translate complex operational data into clear, proactive recommendations and act as a decisive escalation point for complex operational incidents.

Bonus Points if you have

  • Prior experience using Claude (Anthropic) to accelerate operational analysis, draft training frameworks, or audit internal process documentation.
  • Experience implementing heavy-duty enterprise reconciliation tools (e.g., ReconArt, Gresham, Fiserv/Frontier, or similar modular matching platforms).
  • Deep structural knowledge of local clearing systems across emerging markets, particularly APAC, LATAM, and Africa.

AI Literacy & Tools

As Zepz continues to build AI into how we work, we expect everyone to engage with it as a core part of their role. For this position, we are looking for:

  • A genuine curiosity about AI and how it can be applied in your area of work — from accelerating analysis and insight generation to improving how we design and deliver processes and communications.
  • Practical experience using AI tools in a professional context — whether to connect information, draft content, build frameworks, or create insights from data. We want people who actively use AI to increase productivity, not those who are waiting to be told to.
  • Strong AI literacy — an understanding of what AI assistants can and cannot do, how to prompt effectively, and how to critically evaluate AI-generated output before using it.
  • Awareness of the ethical considerations and responsible use of AI in the workplace, particularly in the context of sensitive data, customer experience, and compliance.
  • Prior experience using Claude (Anthropic) is a nice-to-have but not essential — what matters most is that you are genuinely engaged with AI as a tool, comfortable experimenting, and eager to share what works with your wider team.

If you want to join us in our journey to help break barriers in financial access and improve lives globally, there's no better place or time to join. Our global team of 800+ people is spread across six continents. We aspire to hire the best mix of people from former Olympians to YouTube influencers and we speak over twenty languages. This incredible diversity isn't a bonus; it's the engine that lets us serve the world.

Ready to Apply? Let’s Go.

Regional Payment Operations Lead employer: Zepz

Zepz is an exceptional employer that champions innovation and inclusivity, offering a dynamic work culture where diverse perspectives are valued. Employees benefit from extensive growth opportunities within a global network, working collaboratively to enhance financial access across 50 countries. With a commitment to compliance and customer experience, Zepz empowers its team members to make a meaningful impact in the FinCrime sector while enjoying a supportive and fast-paced environment.

Zepz

Contact Details:

Zepz Recruitment Team

StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫

We think this is how you could land Regional Payment Operations Lead

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 Zepz. 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 Regional Payment Operations Lead

Communication Skills
Problem-Solving Skills
Adaptability
Flexibility
Teamwork
Compassion
Caring for Others

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 Zepz.

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 Zepz'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 Zepz

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 Zepz.

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 Zepz 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 Zepz 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.