Head of Payment Operations

Duplo is a Lagos-based fintech startup that enables businesses in Africa to automate their spend management, simplify cross-border payments, and control business finances all on one platform.

We want to make B2B payments as simple as P2P payment apps. Most business payments in Africa are made offline….yikes. We are on a mission to transform this. We are backed by top investors including Point Nine, Tribe Capital, Commerce Ventures, Liquid2 Ventures, Basecamp Fund, Soma Capital, YCombinator, Oui Capital, and others.

This is a unique opportunity. You'll have the responsibility and resources to take a significant part in the creation of a paradigm-changing product that will impact millions.

The Head of Payments Operations will play a critical role in ensuring smooth and efficient payment operations , managing relationships and partnerships with financial institutions, and ensuring compliance with regulatory requirements. The ideal candidate will have a strong background in payment systems, a deep understanding of the financial landscape in Africa, and the ability to drive operational excellence.

Key Responsibilities:

Responsible for the day-to-day operations & set up mechanisms/processes to monitor payment success rates 24x7 across banks, partners, merchants and improve the same through operational excellence.

Monitor and manage payment processing systems to ensure optimal performance, identifying and resolving any issues that arise.

Develop and implement standard operating procedures (SOPs) for payment operations across Duplo's regions, ensuring consistency and efficiency across all processes.

Partner with product and engineering to implement new payment products, expand capabilities and expand our functionalities across borders.

Identify and manage relationships with financial institutions, payment processors, and other key vendors/partners, ensuring service level agreements (SLAs) are met.

Negotiate contracts with payment processors and other service providers to ensure favorable terms and conditions for Duplo as we expand to other geographies and improve our products. 

Ensure all payment operations comply with relevant regulatory requirements, including AML/KYC, data protection, and other financial regulations.

Work closely with the compliance team to monitor and mitigate risks associated with payment processing, including fraud prevention and detection.

Conduct regular audits of payment processes and systems to ensure compliance and identify areas for improvement.

Analyze payment data to identify trends, inefficiencies, and opportunities for cost savings or process improvements.

Lead initiatives to optimize payment processing costs, improve transaction speed, and enhance overall customer experience.

Requirements

Minimum of  7 years of experience in payment operations, financial services, fintech, or a related industry.

Bachelor’s degree in Finance, Business Administration, or a related field.

Extensive experience with payment processing systems, gateways, and related technologies.

In-depth knowledge of AML/KYC, data protection, and financial regulations related to payment processing.

Strong understanding of payment routing, settlement processes, and reconciliation.

Experience integrating payment systems with banks, processors, and third-party services.

Proven experience in leading teams and functions.

Excellent negotiation and relationship management skills.

Analytical mindset with the ability to make data-driven decisions.

Excellent communication and presentation skills.