Payment Network Scheme Manager

Job Title: Payment Network Scheme Manager

We are looking for a Payment Network Scheme Manager to manage relationships and compliance with card / payment network schemes (e.g. Visa, Mastercard, Amex, etc.), ensure scheme rules compliance, drive scheme-certifications / audits, manage risk & disputes under those schemes, and align business operations with scheme standards. Must be a strategic thinker, with deep understanding of global payment networks, scheme rules, and regulatory requirements.

• Manage relationships with major payment networks / schemes (Visa, Mastercard, Amex, Discover, JCB, etc.) including contract negotiations, scheme memberships, certifications, audits.
• Ensure compliance with scheme rules, technical specifications, operational standards, card brand branding rules, interchange, rounding, chargeback, dispute resolution, acquirer / issuer rules, etc.
• Lead scheme certification efforts (e.g. when launching new products, new regions, or when scheme rules change) and maintain scheme compliance.
• Monitor scheme risk areas: fraud, chargebacks, compliance violations; work with internal teams (fraud, operations, legal) to mitigate.
• Coordinate with internal technical, product, operations, legal / compliance teams to ensure scheme requirements are correctly implemented in systems and processes.
• Keep up to date with changes in scheme rules, regulatory changes, industry trends; interpret their implications for the product/business.
• Oversee process for handling disputes, chargebacks, network investigations / inquiries; ensure resolution, prevention, tracking.
• Develop and maintain internal policies, standards, checklists for scheme compliance.
• Provide training / awareness internally about scheme rules, dependencies, and impacts (for operations, support, product etc.).
• Work with external auditors or assessors as needed; prepare required documentation, data, and evidence for audits.
• Support new business / product launches for ensuring scheme coverage / requirements are met (certifications, technical compliance, etc.).

• Bachelors degree (or higher) in Finance, Law, Business, Engineering, or related field.
• 7+ years in payments / card scheme / network operations / compliance in fintech, banking, payments industry.
• Deep knowledge of card network scheme rules (Visa, Mastercard, Amex, etc.), dispute / chargeback management, interchange, authorization/capture/settlement rules.
• Experience with scheme certification (EMV, tokenization, network switching, PCI etc.).
• Excellent understanding of regulatory / compliance landscape (e.g. data protection, anti money laundering, financial regulations affecting payments).
• Strong cross functional collaboration: be able to work with product, engineering, legal, operations.
• Strong negotiation skills (contracts with schemes, acquirers, partners).
• Analytical skills: able to interpret scheme performance metrics, dispute volumes, losses, etc., and propose improvements.
• Excellent communication skills (verbal & written), ability to represent the business with external stakeholders.
• Ability to manage projects (certifications, audits, launches) end to end, tracking timelines, ensuring deliverables.
• Integrity, attention to detail, etc.