Senior Manager, Card Operations - Optimus

About Optimus

We are a dynamic and rapidly growing Electronic Money Institution (EMI) with operations in the UK, and expanding to Europe, firstly in Portugal. We are a Principal member of Mastercard. Our company is dedicated to providing secure, innovative, and seamless digital payment solutions to our global clientele. Our business offers Embedded Finance solutions through Banking as a Service (BaaS), Cards as a Service (CaaS), and Open Banking. We offer these white label banking and card solutions to regulated and non-regulated entities, issuing both prepaid cards and debit cards on behalf of our clients. 

Optimus is a leader in white label solutions, a dynamic, fast-growing, business, and our client base is varied.

To learn more, please visit https://optimuscards.com/

The Opportunity:

Optimus is looking for a Senior Manager of Card Operations to lead the end-to-end operational strategy and execution for our global debit and credit card programs. In this role, you will ensure seamless transaction availability, operational excellence, and strong partner relationships with issuing banks, processors, and card networks.

You will serve as Optimus’ internal expert on all aspects of card operations—technical, regulatory, and commercial—while driving the launch, scale, and performance of our card products across multiple markets. By combining operational leadership with strategic foresight, you will play a key role in strengthening Optimus’ financial ecosystem and ensuring an exceptional experience for our customers worldwide.

Key responsibilities:

Operational Leadership: Support and oversee the operational excellence of Optimus’ card programs, maintaining near-100% transaction uptime and robust performance standards.

Monitoring and Incident Management: Develop real-time monitoring frameworks, lead incident response protocols, and drive post-incident reviews to prevent recurrence.

Reporting and Insights: Design and implement data-driven dashboards and performance reports for both internal and external stakeholders.

Product Launch and Expansion: Lead the operational implementation of new card programs globally, coordinating across Product, Engineering, Compliance, and Customer Support teams.

Regulatory and Customer Alignment: Ensure all card programs meet regulatory obligations and deliver a frictionless customer experience from day one.

Partner Management: Act as the primary operational contact for issuing banks, processors, card networks, and related third parties.
Negotiate and manage commercial agreements, SLAs, and KPIs to optimize program performance.

Process Design and Optimization: Develop scalable processes for card issuance, transaction processing, dispute handling, fraud mitigation, and compliance monitoring.
Continuously identify and implement operational improvements to enhance efficiency and minimize risk.

Cross-Functional Leadership: Act as the go-to subject matter expert on card operations, providing strategic and technical guidance to Product, Compliance, Support, and Executive teams.

Market and Industry Awareness: Stay ahead of emerging trends, regulatory updates, and network mandates within the global card ecosystem, ensuring Optimus remains competitive and compliant.

Required qualifications:

Significant experience leading card operations or card issuing functions within a fintech, issuer processor, card network, or digital bank.

Deep, practical understanding of card transaction flows, network rules, authorization/settlement processes, and dispute management.

Demonstrated success in launching and scaling card programs across multiple jurisdictions.

Proven ability to build and manage strong partnerships with issuing banks, processors, and card networks.

Track record of delivering high service availability and operational resilience in complex, fast-moving environments.

Strong analytical mindset with a proactive approach to risk management and incident resolution.

Skilled in commercial negotiation and vendor relationship management.

Confident using real-time monitoring and analytics tools to inform operational decisions.

Exceptional organizational, communication, and leadership abilities, with a collaborative approach to cross-functional work.

What we offer:

Innovation and Impact: Contribute to pioneering projects in a dynamic and challenging environment.

Competitive Compensation: Performance bonuses, and comprehensive benefits on top of a competitive salary.

Strong Company Culture: Thrive in a supportive, collegiate environment with values of integrity, teamwork, accountability, and excellence.

Global Collaboration: Participate in regular updates, strategy sessions, and networking opportunities across the group.

Development Opportunities: Access training and mentorship programs.

Flexibility: Enjoy options to work from home, other locations, or adjust your hours.

Inclusive Environment: Value and respect diverse perspectives.

Benefits:

Annual bonus program based on individual, team and company performance.

Home office stipend for a productive setup.

Generous PTO, healthcare, and employee assistance programs.

Engaging events and celebrations.

Well-stocked office kitchen with a foodie culture

Join us to grow, innovate, and contribute meaningfully. Be part of our talented team!

Visit our careers page for more exciting opportunities, if this role isn’t the perfect fit.

EEOC Employer

We're proud to be an Equal Opportunity Employer and we celebrate our employees' differences, including race, color, religion, gender identity, national origin, age, military service eligibility, veteran status, sexual orientation, marital status, disability, and any other protected classes.

Difference makes us stronger and better - together.