Our client based in Malta, are seeking a strategic and hands-on Head of Payments Operations to assume responsibility for designing, deploying and scaling their payments and liquidity management business processes. This role will involve being the architect of end-to-end payments and treasury operations, build and lead efficient teams, and ensure that robust banking and liquidity frameworks support our fast-growing business. The ideal candidate is a gifted people manager with a track record in banking or fintech of building payments and treasury functions from the ground up, including processes, controls, systems, and teams. The successful candidate will combine deep payments ecosystem expertise with strong treasury and liquidity management skills, ensuring operational excellence and financial integrity across the business.
DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES
Payments operations and process design
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Own the design and build of end-to-end payment processes across business operations (card, bank transfers, ACH/SEPA, SWIFT, wallets, and alterative payment methods), including processes, policies and controls.
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Translate business strategy into payment workflows, standard operating procedures, and controls that ensure accuracy, speed, resilience and regulatory compliance.
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Ensure 24/5 payment processing coverage, utilising group resources across time zones.
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Oversee daily payment operations including transaction routing, monitoring, reconciliations, exception handling, disputes and chargebacks, ensuring SLA adherence and client satisfaction.
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Build and maintain strong external partnerships with banks, PSPs, acquirers, processors, networks, and third-party technology providers.
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Ensure compliance with relevant payment regulations and standards (card network rules, SWIFT, AML, KYC, PSD2 and local payment regulations) in close collaboration with Compliance.
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Define KPIs and dashboards to measure team performance, operational efficiency, and client satisfaction; drive continuous improvement initiatives. Implement bulletproof controls, i.e. checksheets, to make sure that department meets all SLA requirements.
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Collaborate cross-functionally with finance, client experience, digital banking, and compliance teams to deliver seamless and secure payment experiences for clients.
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Provide clear business requirements for all development requests to the group's team, assist in testing and rolling out of new Tech features related to payment apps.
Intragroup payments supporting treasury, liquidity and banking operations
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Define and optimize intragroup payment processes related to treasury and liquidity processes, including cash positioning, forecasting, funding routines, and group transfer frameworks.
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Support the Central Execution Desk (CED) and managing group liquidity, cash investments, cash settlements for the group, banking relationships and processing of group cash transfers.
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Monitor and manage cash positions and liquidity buffers across entities and currencies, identifying surpluses/shortfalls and executing migration actions.
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Develop and maintain policies, limits frameworks, and risk controls covering liquidity risk, counterparty risk, and operational risk.
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Collaborate with Finance, Tech and Ops, and CED and external fintech vendors to implement innovative fintech solutions and automations.
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Act as the primary relationship owner for key banking partners on operational matters related to payments, accounts, liquidity and cash management product.
Business process and team leadership
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Continuously refine the operating model for payments and treasury across the group, ensuring clear handoffs and communication flows with the relevant teams.
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Assess current capabilities, define future-state structures, and lead hiring and onboarding of hires in payments operations and treasury.
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Establish and maintain comprehensive documentation (process maps, playbooks, user guides, and operations manuals) for all payment and treasury processes.
CANDIDATE PROFILE
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Bachelor’s degree in Business, Finance, Economics, Management, Engineering, or a related discipline. A relevant post-grad qualification is considered an asset.
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5+ years’ experience in payments and treasury or cash management within banking, fintech, or payment institutions, including at least 2 years in a leadership role, building and scaling operations.
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Proven track record of designing and implementing payments and treasury processes from scratch in a regulated financial services or banking environment.
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Deep understanding of the end-to-end payments ecosystem: card schemes, ACH, wallets, checks, payment gateways, PayFac models, acquirers, and processors.
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Strong knowledge of rules, card network regulations, anti-money laundering, and compliance frameworks related to payments and treasury.
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Solid experience with liquidity management, capital structure, financial exposure assessment, treasury risk, and banking relationship management.
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Excellent leadership, analytical, negotiation, and communication skills, with the ability to influence stakeholders at all levels.
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Demonstrated ability to build, lead and develop multi-location teams, including setting up new functions or teams and managing through growth and change.
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Client-focused mindset with a strong commitment to safeguarding client assets and operational accuracy.
COMPANY BENEFITS
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A dynamic, high-growth environment within a cutting-edge financial services group.
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The opportunity to lead strategic initiatives impacting payments and treasury globally.
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Collaborative culture with experienced professionals and cross-functional teams.
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Competitive compensation, performance bonuses and flexible working arrangements.
Due to the high volume of applications received at GRS Recruitment, only shortlisted candidates will be responded to.
To apply for this position, please email your CV to
Michelle Cooper, michellec@grsrecruitment.com quoting the above job reference or call +356 27780664 for further information.