Principal Merchant Services Strategy Advisor

Are you a seasoned payments executive ready to shape the future of financial services? A leading organization at the forefront of strategic innovation is seeking a visionary Principal Merchant Services Strategy Advisor. In this pivotal, high-impact consulting role, you will drive the establishment of a groundbreaking merchant services relationship, directly influencing the strategic direction of our payment processing infrastructure.

Your expertise will be instrumental in defining new operating models, ensuring the organization remains agile and competitive in a rapidly evolving market, and setting the stage for long-term commercial advancement.

• Rate: Competitive market-leading hourly rate (commensurate with senior-level enterprise experience).
• Flexibility: Open to negotiation for highly qualified candidates.

• Strategic Architecture: Provide high-level guidance, structure, and execution support for establishing a new merchant services relationship with a major commercial banking partner (encompassing acquiring/sponsorship, settlement, and processing models).
• Phased Implementation: Lead the foundational rollout for debit card acceptance while architecting a clear, scalable roadmap for future credit card integration.
• Operating Model Design: Define the target operating model to ensure peak efficiency, compliance, and global scalability.
• Cross-Functional Leadership: Spearhead key workstreams, collaborating closely with internal executives and external partners to achieve critical strategic objectives.
• Future-Proofing: Strategically structure vendor relationships to preserve long-term optionality for future direct engagements with alternative payment gateways and processors.

• Commercial Banking Expertise: 15-20 years of deep financial services experience is highly preferred (minimum of 7 years strict requirement) within a commercial banking environment.
• Advanced Payments Infrastructure: Extensive hands-on experience with payment gateway technologies, integrations, and repayments processes.
• Merchant Ecosystem Mastery: Proven expertise across merchant acquiring, bank sponsorship models, and gateway/processor dynamics.
• Compliance & Technical Knowledge: Comprehensive understanding of card network rules, complex settlement, and reconciliation processes.
• Risk & Regulatory Acumen: Strong proficiency in managing disputes, PCI compliance, risk mitigation, and regulatory frameworks within the modern payments landscape.
• Vendor & Contract Strategy: Exceptional background in high-value contract negotiation, vendor strategy, and enterprise operating model design.

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