Program Manager - Payments & Cards (Banking Domain)

Role Overview

Requirements

• ****Key Responsibilities****
• Lead end-to-end delivery of payments and cards-related programmes across issuing, acquiring, tokenisation, wallets, and integrations
• Define programme roadmap, execution strategy, and delivery plans aligned with business objectives
• Manage multiple projects/workstreams simultaneously, ensuring delivery within scope, timeline, and budget
• Drive stakeholder alignment across business, IT, operations, channels, and third-party vendors
• Establish strong governance, reporting structures, and risk management frameworks
• Track programme progress, identify risks/dependencies, and proactively resolve issues
• Ensure compliance with banking regulations, security standards, and internal policies
• Support agile delivery methodologies and ensure coordination across cross-functional teams
• Drive clear and structured communication with senior leadership and stakeholders

Required Skills & Experience

• 10+ years of experience in programme/project management within banking or financial services
• Strong hands-on experience in cards and payments domain (issuing, acquiring, tokenisation, wallets)
• Proven track record of delivering large-scale, complex banking/payment programmes
• Experience working with payment platforms, switches, and integrations (e.g., Visa, Mastercard, APIs)
• Strong stakeholder management and vendor coordination experience
• Solid understanding of SDLC, Agile, and hybrid delivery models
• Experience in risk management, governance, and regulatory compliance within banking
• Excellent communication, leadership, and problem-solving skills

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience working with leading banks or financial institutions in the UAE or GCC
• PMP, Prince2, or Agile certifications
• Exposure to digital payments, fintech integrations, or modern payment ecosystems

What Success Looks Like

• Programmes delivered on time, within budget, and with zero major escalations
• Strong alignment between business and technology teams
• Clear visibility and control over risks, dependencies, and delivery milestones
• Measurable impact on payment platform performance, scalability, or customer experience