Special Initiatives Consultant - Acquiring & Cash Management System - Contractual

Outsized; Abu Dhabi; On-site; AED 300,000 - 450,000; Full time

Job summary

A global consulting firm is seeking a Special Initiatives consultant in Abu Dhabi to optimize and implement new initiatives within the Acquiring & Cash Management team. The role requires over 10 years of experience in merchant acquiring and process optimization. Ideal candidates should have strong knowledge of payment processing and project management skills. This is a 12-month contractual opportunity.

Qualifications

• 10+ years in merchant acquiring, payments, cash management, or process optimization roles.
• Strong knowledge of payment processing and merchant acquiring models.
• Experience with Lean, Six Sigma, or other process optimization methodologies.

Responsibilities

• Conduct end-to-end analysis to identify inefficiencies.
• Redesign the merchant underwriting process to improve approval speed.
• Lead the rollout of new payment solutions and support the launch of digital platforms.

Skills

Merchant acquiring experience

Payments knowledge

Process optimization methodologies

Regulatory awareness

Project management

Analytical thinking

Collaboration and communication

Job description

Overview

At Outsized, we match clients in financial services and management consulting to high quality independent consultants and boutique / specialist firms for the execution of their key projects.

Our client, a Global consulting firm, is seeking a Special Initiatives consultant responsible for optimizing, re‑engineering, and implementing new initiatives within the Acquiring & Cash Management team . This role requires expertise in process analysis, automation, compliance alignment, and stakeholder coordination to drive operational efficiency, enhance customer experience, and support business growth.

This is a 12‑month contractual opportunity in Riyadh, KSA.

Key Responsibilities

1. Process Optimization

• Conduct end‑to‑end analysis of merchant onboarding, transaction processing, reconciliation, and settlements to identify inefficiencies.
• Streamline operational workflows across acquiring, risk, compliance, and finance teams.
• Identify and implement automation opportunities in merchant servicing, reporting, and reconciliation.
• Develop dashboards and KPIs to track and monitor operational effectiveness.

2. Process Re‑engineering

• Redesign the merchant underwriting process to improve risk assessment and approval speed.
• Enhance merchant integration with the banks acquiring platform (APIs, payment gateways, etc.).
• Improve merchant payout processes for faster, error‑free settlements.
• Review and refine fee structures and billing processes for transparency and efficiency.
• Implement advanced risk monitoring tools for fraud detection and compliance adherence.

3. Implementation of New Initiatives

• Lead the rollout of new payment solutions such as Soft POS, QR‑based payments, and alternative acquiring models.
• Support the launch of self‑service digital platforms for merchant onboarding and servicing.
• Work closely with technology teams to enhance system capabilities and improve the merchant experience.
• Develop training materials and operational manuals for new processes and initiatives.
• Ensure compliance with regulatory changes affecting acquiring and cash management.

Key Skills & Qualifications

• Experience : 10+ years in merchant acquiring, payments, cash management, or process optimization roles in banking or fintech.
• Technical Knowledge : Strong understanding of payment processing, merchant acquiring models, settlement cycles, and reconciliation.
• Process Improvement : Hands‑on experience with Lean, Six Sigma, or other process optimization methodologies.
• Regulatory Awareness : Knowledge of AML, KYC, PCI‑DSS, and other compliance requirements.
• Project Management : Proven ability to lead and execute initiatives independently.
• Analytical Thinking : Strong data‑driven decision‑making skills.
• Collaboration & Communication : Ability to work across departments and present findings effectively.