Payment Lead

We are seeking a visionary Senior Payment Lead to revolutionize how our customers pay for travel. In this high-impact role, you will oversee our global payment ecosystem, managing a multi-disciplinary team of product managers, engineers, and treasury specialists. Your mission: to turn payments from a back-office necessity into a competitive advantage and a seamless part of the traveler’s journey.

Key Responsibilities

1. Strategic Leadership & Vision

• Define and execute the long-term global payment strategy, focusing on authorization rates, cost optimization, and alternative payment methods (APMs).
• Lead and scale a high-performing team, fostering a culture of technical excellence and customer-centricity.
• Navigate the complexities of multi-currency settlement and cross-border transactions inherent to the travel industry.

2. Ecosystem Management

• Own relationships with global acquirers, card networks, and fintech partners.
• Negotiate complex commercial agreements to reduce Interchange and Scheme fees.
• Oversee the integration of localized payment options to drive conversion in emerging markets.

3. Innovation & Compliance

• Implement advanced Fraud & Risk mitigation strategies using ML-driven tools to balance security with high conversion.
• Ensure 100% compliance with global standards and local fintech regulations.
• Explore and pilot emerging tech such as Virtual Credit Cards (VCCs) for B2B supplier payments and blockchain-based settlement.

Required Qualifications

• Experience: 10+ years in Fintech or Payments, with at least 5 years in a senior leadership role managing large teams.
• Industry Knowledge: Deep understanding of the Travel Value Chain, including GDS, OTAs, Airlines, and Merchant of Record (MoR) models.
• Technical Savvy: Proven experience with high-volume API integrations and cloud-based payment gateways.
• Education: MBA or Master’s in Finance, Economics, or Computer Science preferred.