Card Scheme Manager (Issuing)

payabl. empowers businesses to grow through payments innovation and banking services. Our ambition is to expand our strong portfolio of global financial services we provide to businesses and make them all available in one place on our platform we call payabl.one. As a licensed financial company with principal membership with card schemes, we specialize in global payments and providing businesses with multi-currency accounts.

About this role

As a Card Scheme Manager (Issuing), you will play a critical role in building and managing our card issuing capabilities from the ground up. You will be responsible for card scheme relationships, scheme compliance, and the successful delivery of card issuing projects across multiple stakeholders, including schemes, processors, and technology partners.

This is a highly autonomous, project-driven role suited for a hands-on professional with strong issuing expertise, technical fluency, and a deep understanding of the card payments ecosystem. You will work closely with Product, Technology, Operations, Risk, and external partners to ensure scalable, compliant, and high-quality card issuing solutions.

Reporting Line: Head of Card Schemes
Location: Limassol, Cyprus

Responsibilities:

Card Scheme Management

• Manage day-to-day relationships with card schemes (e.g. Visa, Mastercard) and ensure full compliance with scheme rules and requirements.
• Monitor scheme mandates, rule changes, and new initiatives, coordinating internal implementation across relevant teams.
• Lead scheme certifications, audits, reporting obligations, and ongoing compliance activities.
• Manage BIN sponsorship activities, including applications, certifications, implementation, and lifecycle maintenance.
• Act as a primary point of contact for scheme-related queries, escalations, and initiatives.

Vendor & Partner Coordination

• Serve as the main liaison with card processors, technology vendors, and personalization partners.
• Coordinate external partners during new programme launches, system upgrades, and maintenance activities.
• Monitor vendor performance, SLAs, and service quality, managing escalations where required.
• Support commercial discussions, contract reviews, and vendor evaluations.

Project & Implementation Delivery

• Lead card issuing and scheme-related projects from initiation through delivery in a project-based environment.
• Coordinate new card product launches, BIN implementations, and enhancements across internal and external stakeholders.
• Work closely with Product, Technology, and Engineering teams on technical integrations and system changes.
• Ensure projects are delivered on time, within scope, and in line with operational and compliance standards.

Operational Oversight

• Act as a super user for card processing platforms and card management system (CMS) interfaces.
• Support system configuration, product setup, parameter management, and troubleshooting.
• Oversee the card issuing lifecycle, including setup, optimization, and operational controls.
• Support risk assessments, fraud controls, velocity limits, and compliance initiatives in collaboration with Risk and Compliance teams.
• Maintain accurate documentation, procedures, and operational guidelines.

What we need:
Experience & Background

• 4–6+ years of experience in the card payments industry, with hands-on card issuing experience.
• Proven experience working directly with card schemes and scheme compliance requirements.
• Background in a bank, EMI, fintech, or card processing/vendor environment.
• Demonstrated experience delivering card issuing or payments-related projects end to end.

Technical & Industry Knowledge

• Strong understanding of the full card issuing lifecycle, from BIN setup to cardholder delivery.
• Hands-on experience with card management systems and administrative UIs.
• Understanding of authorization, clearing, settlement, and reconciliation processes.
• Familiarity with PCI DSS, AML, and regulatory requirements relevant to card issuing.
• Exposure to fraud management, dispute handling, and risk controls.
• Comfort working with API documentation and technical concepts (implementation not required).

Skills & Personal Attributes

• Strong ownership mindset and ability to work independently in a project-based role.
• Excellent attention to detail and operational accuracy.
• Strong stakeholder management and communication skills.
• Comfortable working across technical and non-technical teams.
• Proactive, hands-on, and resilient in a fast-paced fintech environment.

Nice to have

• Experience with card processing platforms such as Galileo, Thredd, Marqeta, or similar.
• Prior experience working at a card scheme or processor.
• Project management certification (PMP, PRINCE2) is an advantage but not mandatory.
• Payments or card scheme-related professional certifications.

The perks of being a payabl.er :

• Future-Proof Your Finances: Provident Fund contribution after probation.
• Grow with Us: Annual learning budget for professional development.
• Wolt Your Way Through Lunch: €150 monthly Wolt allowance.
• Stay Active: SportsBenefits membership with access to multiple gyms and sports facilities.
• Drive in Style: Company car eligibility after one year (subject to performance and availability).
• Park with Ease: Complimentary on-site parking.
• Max Out Your Downtime: 25 days of annual leave + public holidays and 10 sick days.
• Shop & Save: Local discount card and tickets for selected events.
• Speak Like a Local: Free Greek language classes, twice per week.
• Celebrate Together: Biannual company-wide celebrations.
• Global Collaboration: Opportunities to participate in international initiatives and events.

Hiring Process:

• TA Interview – A 30–40 minute conversation to assess role fit, experience, and motivation.
• Hiring Manager Interview – A 60-minute deep dive into your expertise, achievements, and alignment with the Client Relations Manager role.
• Leadership Interview – A 30–40 minute discussion with senior leadership to validate mutual fit and address any final questions.

Let's embark on a journey to redefine the landscape of payments together. We're not just offering a role; we're inviting you to be a part of something bigger. Join our team, and let's innovate, disrupt, and lead the future of payments. Together, we can make an impact that resonates. Welcome to the team!

If this role seems like a good match, please submit your resume and all applications are treated with the strictest confidentiality. Please note that we may keep your CV for a period of one (1) year for future relevant job opportunities. For more information about how we process your data please see our privacy policy at https://payabl.com/privacy-policy