About Us – Recruitment Partner
Guardian Professional is acting as the recruitment partner on behalf of a London-based fintech operating within the payments and card acquiring sector.
Head of Risk & Compliance – Card Networks
London- City, St Paul's | Hybrid (3–4 days office)
Salary range: £100,000 - £120,000 DOE
A London-based fintech with ambitious growth plans is seeking a Head of Risk & Compliance – Card Networks to lead and shape its card network compliance framework within a scaling payments business.
This role will operate alongside the MLRO and senior leadership, with primary ownership of Card Network (scheme) compliance and governance. It is suited to a proactive, commercially minded leader who is comfortable operating in a fast-moving environment where processes are still evolving and being refined.
Key Responsibilities
Card Network Governance & Oversight
Proactively identify and interpret compliance obligations arising from Card Network and scheme rules
Translate scheme requirements into practical policies, procedures and operational controls
Act as the internal subject matter expert on Card Network compliance
Ensure effective implementation and ongoing monitoring of scheme-related obligations across relevant teams
Risk & Compliance Leadership
Lead the development and enhancement of the Card Network compliance framework
Work alongside the MLRO, Risk, Legal and senior stakeholders to ensure alignment across regulatory and scheme obligations
Support oversight of first-line activities and provide appropriate second-line challenge
Participate in Product Risk Assessments and strategic initiatives to ensure compliant product development
Business Partnership
Partner closely with Commercial, Sales, Product and Operations teams to provide pragmatic, commercially aware compliance guidance
Balance risk management with business objectives to support sustainable growth
Handle escalations from internal and external stakeholders
External Engagement
Liaise with Card Networks, auditors and relevant external stakeholders where required
Support audits, reviews and remediation relating to scheme compliance
Candidate Profile
7+ years' experience in payments, card acquiring, issuing or scheme-facing FinTech environments (EMI, BIN sponsorship or Principal Membership structures preferred)
Strong working knowledge of Card Network / scheme rules and their practical application
Experience operating within second-line compliance functions in a commercially driven payments or fintech environment
Demonstrated ability to translate regulatory or scheme requirements into workable operational frameworks
Experience operating within commercially driven acquiring environments with varied and complex merchant risk profiles
Comfortable operating in environments where processes are still being built and refined
Commercially astute, able to influence senior stakeholders and work cross-functionally
Strong analytical and policy drafting capability
Confident operating independently and driving initiatives forward
This is not an MLRO role, but a senior compliance leadership position focused specifically on Card Network governance and controlled growth.