Senior Business Development Manager (Payments Solutions)

finera.; Dubai; On-site; AED 450,000 - 700,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical Insurance

Training & Development

Office Snacks

Multinational culture

Team-building events

Employee Recognition

Job summary

Finera is seeking a Senior Business Development Manager to drive expansion across the MENA region, GCC, and Africa, overseeing market intelligence, provider strategy, and partnerships to grow Finera's payment solutions footprint.

This senior role requires deep payments knowledge, cross-functional collaboration, and the ability to secure strategic deals with PSPs, local acquirers, and mobile money providers across diverse regulatory environments.

Qualifications

• Proven experience in payments, fintech, or iGaming within PSP/acquirer/aggregator environments.
• Background in business development, partnerships, or provider acquisition roles.
• Experience operating across MENA or African markets.
• Experience with high-risk verticals including iGaming, crypto, or forex is advantageous.
• Strong track record of long-term commercial partnerships.

Responsibilities

• Identify and secure regional payment solutions across MENA and Africa.
• Expand regional payment coverage aligned with Finera's strategic roadmap.
• Map local payment landscapes to identify coverage gaps, emerging rails and opportunities.
• Lead cross-functional collaboration with Product, Legal, Compliance, Sales and Account Management.

Skills

Payments

Fintech

iGaming

Business development

Partnerships

Provider acquisition

MENA & Africa markets

Job description

Job Description

As Senior Business Development Manager - MENA & Africa, you will be responsible for driving Finera's commercial expansion across the broader MENA region, the Gulf Cooperation Council, and African markets. This is a senior, high-ownership role combining market intelligence, provider strategy, and relationship management to grow Finera's payment solutions footprint in some of the world's fastest-developing payment ecosystems.

You will identify and secure regional payment solutions, negotiate commercial arrangements with providers, and work cross-functionally to ensure new payment methods reach production. A strong grasp of local payment infrastructure - from regional card schemes and mobile money to local APMs - is essential.

Job Description

As Senior Business Development Manager - MENA & Africa, you will be responsible for driving Finera's commercial expansion across the broader MENA region, the Gulf Cooperation Council, and African markets. This is a senior, high-ownership role combining market intelligence, provider strategy, and relationship management to grow Finera's payment solutions footprint in some of the world's fastest-developing payment ecosystems.

You will identify and secure regional payment solutions, negotiate commercial arrangements with providers, and work cross-functionally to ensure new payment methods reach production. A strong grasp of local payment infrastructure - from regional card schemes and mobile money to local APMs - is essential.

Job Requirements

Professional Experience

• Proven experience in payments, fintech, or iGaming - within a PSP, acquirer, aggregator, or similar environment
• Background in business development, partnerships, or provider acquisition roles
• Demonstrated experience operating across MENA or African markets
• Experience with high-risk verticals including iGaming, crypto, or forex is a strong advantage
• Strong deal-making track record with a focus on long-term commercial partnerships

Payment Domain Knowledge

• Deep understanding of PSPs, local acquirers, and regional payment institutions
• Familiarity with card networks, APMs, mobile money, e-wallets, and regional payment rails specific to MENA and Africa
• Knowledge of local regulatory environments and licensing requirements across target markets

Nice to Have

• Existing network of PSPs and payment providers across MENA or Africa
• Arabic or French language skills (written and spoken)
• Experience with payment orchestration platforms
• Exposure to cross-border payment flows between Africa and the broader MENA region

Job Responsibilities

Market Expansion & Solution Sourcing

• Identify and secure payment solutions across MENA and African markets aligned with merchant and business requirements
• Expand regional payment coverage in line with Finera's strategic roadmap and priority verticals
• Map local payment landscapes to identify coverage gaps, emerging rails, and commercial opportunities
• Monitor regulatory and licensing developments across target markets that may affect provider availability

Provider Evaluation & Selection

• Lead commercial negotiations with PSPs, local acquirers, payment institutions, and mobile money operators across the region
• Evaluate providers across fee structures, GEO coverage, settlement terms, and performance benchmarks
• Structure deals aligned with Finera's business model and margin expectations
• Maintain and evolve a competitive provider matrix specific to MENA and Africa

Cross-Functional Collaboration

• Partner closely with Product, Legal, Compliance, Sales, and Account Management teams
• Support integration and go-live processes for newly onboarded regional providers
• Act as the internal subject matter expert on MENA and African payment solutions and provider capabilities
• Represent Finera at regional industry events, conferences, and provider meetings

Job Benefits

• Competitive salary package aligned with experience and market standards.
• Medical Insurance starting from day 1.
• Access to training resources and development opportunities that support your professional growth.
• Well-stocked office with snacks, drinks, and refreshments available daily.
• A multinational organisation that promotes a strong, collaborative culture
• Regular team-building events and company activities that strengthen collaboration across teams.
• Employee Recognition Program celebrating our "Employee of the Month" with special perks.