Head of Payment Network Development & Oversight

Head of Payment Network Development & Oversight 

Reporting to: Vice President – Global Head of Treasury  

Role Overview 

We are seeking and experienced Head of Network Development & Oversight to lead the strategy, optimization, and governance of our international payments network. 

This role is responsible for shaping the firm’s global payments infrastructure across banking partnerships, payment rails, routing strategy, pricing optimization, and operational resiliency. The successful candidate will drive scalable and commercially efficient payment capabilities while ensuring the network remains resilient, compliant, and aligned with evolving business and regulatory requirements. 

Working closely with Treasury, Product, Technology, Risk, Compliance, Operations, and Commercial leadership teams, this individual will play a key role in network expansion, infrastructure modernization, and strategic payment initiatives globally. 

 Key Responsibilities 

Payments Network Strategy 

• Lead the development and execution of the global payments network strategy across Wires, SWIFT, ACH, RTP/Faster Payments, Cards, Wallets, and alternative payment methods. 

• Evaluate and implement new payment rails, connectivity models, payment schemes, and emerging solutions including real-time networks and stablecoin-enabled settlement capabilities. 

• Align network evolution with business growth objectives, geographic expansion plans, product strategy, and operational scalability. 

• Maintain a forward-looking perspective on payment innovation, infrastructure modernization, and industry developments to support competitive advantage. 

• Drive network optimization initiatives focused on resiliency, routing intelligence, scalability, and cost efficiency. 

 Bank & Payment Partner Management 

• Oversee global banking and payment partner relationships, including governance, account lifecycle management, documentation standards, and operational oversight. 

• Develop and manage strategic relationships with global banks, PSPs, fintech providers, and payment schemes. 

• Lead commercial negotiations relating to pricing, fee structures, service levels, and contractual arrangements. 

• Drive pricing optimization initiatives through benchmarking, partner analysis, and payment economics reviews. 

• Ensure strong alignment between payment flows, client risk profiles, operational requirements, and partner engagement strategies. 

• Establish governance frameworks, KPIs, SLAs, and performance standards across the global payments network. 

 Risk, Compliance & Operational Resilience 

• Ensure network design supports operational resilience, redundancy, business continuity, and scalable growth. 

• Partner with Risk, Compliance, and Legal teams to incorporate AML, sanctions, regulatory requirements, and scheme rules into network operations and strategy. 

• Monitor regulatory developments and payment scheme changes impacting payment flows, banking structures, and network capabilities. 

• Support risk mitigation strategies across payment rails, counterparties, geographies, and operational processes. 

• Maintain strong governance and controls across payment infrastructure and partner management activities. 

 Technology & Strategic Transformation 

• Collaborate closely with Product, Technology, and Operations teams on payment infrastructure enhancements, migrations, integrations, and modernization initiatives. 

• Lead strategic initiatives including new rail integrations, bank onboarding/offboarding, routing enhancements, and infrastructure transformation programs. 

• Drive scalable, modular, and API-driven payment architecture initiatives to support future growth and operational efficiency. 

• Ensure strong prioritization, governance, execution discipline, and stakeholder alignment across strategic change programs. 

 Qualifications & Experience 

• 15 / 20 + years of experience across Payments, Treasury, Banking, Fintech, or Financial Services with deep expertise in global payment infrastructure and network strategy. 

• Strong understanding of global payment rails and infrastructure including SWIFT, Wires, ACH, RTP/Faster Payments, Cards, Wallets, correspondent banking, and clearing systems. 

• Proven experience managing complex banking relationships, global account structures, and payment network operations. 

• Demonstrated track record leading pricing strategy, commercial negotiations, routing optimization, and payment cost reduction initiatives. 

• Experience delivering large-scale payment infrastructure, network optimization, or transformation programs. 

• Strong understanding of AML, sanctions, regulatory frameworks, and payment scheme governance requirements. 

• Proven ability to lead cross-functional initiatives and influence senior stakeholders across business and technology functions. 

 Key Competencies 

• Strategic thinking with strong commercial and financial acumen 

• Deep operational and technical understanding of global payment flows 

• Strong negotiation and vendor management capabilities 

• Risk-aware mindset with strong governance discipline 

• Excellent stakeholder management and cross-functional leadership skills 

• Strong execution focus with ability to lead complex transformation initiatives 

• Innovation mindset with focus on scalability, resiliency, and modernization