Payment processing is the cornerstone of Spendesk's financial operations platform, enabling businesses to move money efficiently across multiple rails and payment schemes. As Lead Product Manager for Payment Rails, you will own the strategic vision and execution of Spendesk's entire payment processing ecosystem, including cards, bank transfers SEPA, SWIFT, Faster Payments, BECS, and emerging payment methods.
Your mission is to work in a top-notch squad building and scaling a robust, multi- rail payment infrastructure that powers Spendesk's global payment capabilities while ensuring regulatory compliance, optimal cost efficiency, and maximum reliability across all payment methods.
This role requires deep expertise in global payment networks, scheme integrations (both card and banking), payment market infrastructure, and complex transaction flows. You will work closely with Spendesk Financial Services SFS to ensure compliance across multiple jurisdictions and payment schemes while driving innovation in payment routing, cost optimization, and system resilience.
Reporting to the Group Product Manager, Payments, you will play a pivotal role in shaping Spendesk's payment strategy and infrastructure scalability.
Key Responsibilities
Strategic Leadership :Own the comprehensive payment rails roadmap, encompassing cards processing, bank transfers, and alternative payment methods; Align strategic priorities with other squads, business owners, compliance, Risk and compliance; Drive payment infrastructure strategy across multiple geographies and payment schemes; Lead vendor selection and integration strategy for payment processors, banking partners, and scheme connectivity Payment Rails Management :Design new and optimize existing multi-rail payment architecture supporting: Card processing (issuing, acquiring, settlement, card declines, logistics) SEPA Credit Transfer, Direct Debit, Instant) BECS and Faster Payments UK SWIFT (international payments) Implement intelligent payment routing and orchestration across rails Optimize payment acceptance rates, costs, and settlement times across all rails Technical & Operational Excellence :Define system architecture and integration patterns for payment rail connectivity Implement robust reconciliation and settlement processes across payment types Design failover and contingency strategies for payment rail redundancy Build comprehensive monitoring and alerting systems for all payment flows Risk & Compliance :Ensure compliance with scheme rules and regulatory requirements across multiple jurisdictions Implement robust transaction monitoring and fraud prevention across all payment rails Work with Risk teams to define and implement payment limits and controls Maintain relationships with regulators and scheme operators What we're looking for
Required Experience 6+ years in Product Management, with 3+ years specifically in payment infrastructure Deep expertise in at least three of the following: Card scheme integration (Visa, Mastercard) Local payment schemes (SEPA, BACS, Faster Payments) SWIFT messaging and network Real-time payment systems Alternative payment methods Strong understanding of payment market infrastructure and interbank systems Experience with payment regulations across multiple jurisdictions (EU, UK, US) Technical Knowledge Understanding of ISO and other payment message standards Experience with API-first payment architectures and microservices Familiarity with payment security standards (PCI-DSS, GDPR, 3D-Secure) Knowledge of cryptography and payment security protocols is beneficial Leadership & Business Skills Proven track record of launching and scaling technical payment products Strong stakeholder management across technical and business functions Experience managing complex vendor relationships and negotiations Ability to translate technical complexity into business value Impact Measurement
Success in this role will be measured by: Payment rail availability and reliability metrics Cost per transaction across payment methods Settlement time optimisation Payment acceptance rates Regulatory compliance adherence System scalability and performance Revenue impact through payment optimisation What we offer
Opportunity to shape the future of B2B payments in a high-growth fintech Exposure to cutting-edge payment technologies and market infrastructure Significant autonomy in strategic decision-makingCompetitive compensation including equity Professional development and industry certification support This role is ideal for a seasoned payment professional who combines deep technical knowledge with strategic business acumen and has a passion for building robust, scalable payment infrastructure. If you thrive on solving complex payment challenges and want to shape the future of B2B financial operations, we want to hear from you! 
