Payments | 19-2-2025

Head of Card Payments Risk

My client is looking for a Head of Card Payments Risk to lead their risk strategy across fraud prevention, compliance, and operational risk for the card payments division. This role is crucial in ensuring regulatory compliance, optimising fraud detection, and enhancing cardholder security.

The company is a scaling fintech organisation specialising in payments, e-money, and identity verification, with advanced AML systems.

Key Responsibilities:

• Develop and execute the card payments risk strategy, aligning with business goals and regulatory requirements.
• Oversee card issuing and acquiring risk operations, managing relationships with Visa, Mastercard, processors, and third-party providers.
• Ensure compliance with scheme rules, PCI DSS, AML/KYC regulations, and chargeback management.
• Implement fraud prevention frameworks, leveraging AI-driven fraud detection and real-time risk mitigation.
• Lead and develop a high-performing risk team, providing training on card fraud, dispute resolution, and compliance updates.
• Stay ahead of industry trends, analysing emerging fraud threats, regulatory changes, and risk management innovations.

Key Skills & Experience:

• 10+ years in the card payments industry, with expertise in card issuing and acquiring risk.
• Experience working with high-risk acquiring merchants – MCC (Merchant Category Codes) experience across gambling, crypto, and forex is advantageous.
• Strong knowledge of fraud analytics, detection, chargeback management, and compliance regulations (PCI DSS, PSD2, AML/KYC).
• Hands-on operational experience, including leading real-time fraud monitoring teams for acquiring transactions.
• Proven ability to manage card network relationships (Visa, Mastercard) and work with third-party payment providers.

Leadership experience, with a track record of building and mentoring high-performing teams.

Location: London City (Office-Based)
Salary: £100,000 – £150,000 (Depending on Experience)
Excellent Benefits & Bonuses on offer.

Please send your CV for immediate consideration.

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