Senior Manager, Financial Partnerships - Card Issuing & Acquiring, EMEA

About the role

Airwallex, the AI-native financial operating system for global commerce, is looking for a Senior Manager to scale its card issuing and acquiring businesses. You will build and manage partnerships with global card networks such as Visa, Mastercard and Amex, and with regional and local card schemes, and lead the company's entry into new markets.

Key responsibilities

• Scale card issuing and acquiring by building and managing partnerships with global card networks and regional card schemes.
• Lead market entry by coordinating network licensing, regulatory requirements and programme implementation.
• Identify and execute strategic opportunities with network partners, including product and feature collaboration, new revenue streams, cost optimisation and co-marketing.
• Negotiate and structure partnership agreements, oversee Airwallex's obligations and delivery, and represent the company at partner and industry events.
• Work with Product, Legal, Compliance, Finance and Commercial teams on strategic planning, business analysis and key initiatives.
• Work from the London or Amsterdam office three days a week.

Required profile

• 7+ years of experience with payment networks, card schemes, financial institutions or other organisations in card issuing or acquiring.
• Deep understanding of card network dynamics, issuing and acquiring business models and economics.
• Proven track record of building and managing strategic partnerships in a fast-paced, technology-led environment.
• International experience, including across multiple markets or cross-border relationships.
• Preferred: experience at a global fintech or pre-IPO startup, building partnerships in a new geography, merchant acquiring or card portfolio management, and recognition as an industry thought leader.

Required skills

• Strong negotiation, relationship management and commercial agreement structuring.
• Cross-functional collaboration with Product, Legal, Compliance, Finance and Commercial teams.
• Exceptional communication and creative problem-solving.