Card Scheme Compliance & Relationship Manager

PAYSTRAX is an innovative, fast-growing, and profitable financial technology company that provides European merchants with state-of-the-art solutions for all their card payment processing needs. No matter how or where merchants sell goods or services, PAYSTRAX helps to settle the payments as quickly, securely and cost-efficiently as possible. PAYSTRAX is a licensed Payment Institution as well as a principal member of both Visa and Mastercard.

As a Card Scheme Compliance & Relationship Manager, you will be responsible for managing and leading strategy, roadmap, and success of PAYSTRAX’s initiatives with respect to scheme compliance, certifications, mandates, and relationships. You will work cross-functionally with Technology, Compliance, Risk, Operations, and Finance teams to ensure all scheme rules are adhered to, projects are delivered on time, and PAYSTRAX maintains its strong standing as a principal member of both networks. This role is suitable for an experienced payment professional who combines commercial acumen, technical depth, and leadership capability.

Key Responsibilities

• Own and drive the roadmap for card scheme-related product initiatives, aligning business objectives with Visa and Mastercard requirements.
• Monitor and assess scheme mandates, industry developments, regulatory changes, and market trends, translating them into product enhancements and strategic initiatives.
• Act as the primary point of contact for Visa and Mastercard, managing scheme relationships and ensuring ongoing compliance.
• Lead the end-to-end delivery of card scheme projects, from analysis and scoping through to technical implementation and adoption.
• Coordinate cross-functional teams across Product, Engineering, Compliance, Risk, Operations, and Commercial functions to ensure successful delivery.
• Facilitate workshops, stakeholder meetings, and decision-making processes to drive alignment and execution.
• Maintain clear project documentation, delivery plans, and regular communications on progress, risks, and dependencies.
• Support audits, certifications, performance reviews, and scheme governance activities.
• Deliver training and guidance to internal teams on scheme requirements and compliance obligations.
• Contribute to process improvement initiatives and ensure internal controls meet scheme standards.
• Create supporting artefacts such as process flows, business rules, API specifications, reports, and prototypes where required.

Required Experience & Skills

• 3+ years' experience working with Visa and Mastercard within a merchant acquiring or payments environment.
• Strong understanding of card scheme compliance, PCI DSS, authorization processes, and settlement lifecycle.
• Proven experience defining product strategy, building business cases, and delivering products in regulated environments.
• Strong technical knowledge of API-driven architecture, integration patterns, and data-driven product management.
• Experience managing the full product development lifecycle and user experience considerations.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office and Visio.
• Familiarity with AI tools and opportunities to improve productivity and business processes.
• Exposure to tokenization, customer onboarding, disputes management, fraud prevention, or compliance solutions is advantageous.
• Experience with Jira, Confluence, Figma, Postman, or similar tools is desirable.
• Excellent analytical, communication, stakeholder management, and organisational skills, with the ability to balance strategic thinking and hands-on delivery.
• Fluency in English.

Company offers

• A unique fintech environment where you are truly appreciated, rewarded, and recognized for your contributions.
• Be part of an innovative company shaping the future of payments.
• Enjoy a dynamic role with plenty of opportunities to learn, experiment, and make an impact.
• Salary (3500-5000 EUR gross) depending on qualifications.
• Hybrid work model (work remotely for 1-2 days per week).
• Private health insurance, perks system, complimentary parking, extra paid days off so you can take care of your health and well-being, special gifts from us for major milestones, such as weddings or the arrival of a new family member and other benefits.