Payment Network Scheme Manager

Job Title: Payment Network Scheme Manager

Job Summary:

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.

Key Responsibilities

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.).

Qualifications & Skills

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.