We are hiring an experienced and strategic Managing Director to lead a licensed Payment Institution based in France. This entity is part of a larger international financial services group with deep roots in Africa and a growing presence in Europe. The organisation specialises in cross-border payments and remittances, aiming to simplify and accelerate financial flows between continents.
The Managing Director will play a pivotal role in scaling operations, driving revenue, ensuring regulatory compliance, and expanding into new markets. This is a unique opportunity to shape a high-impact payments business at the intersection of technology, innovation, and financial inclusion. This role requires a highly motivated and experienced individual with a proven track record in the payments industry, strong leadership skills, and a deep understanding of the regulatory environment. The successful candidate will be based in Paris and will be responsible for establishing the operational foundation of the business.
Your daily adventures include :
Business & Financial Performance
- Define and execute growth strategies to increase revenue, market share, and profitability.
- Forge partnerships with financial institutions, fintechs, and corporate clients.
- Lead sales and marketing efforts to elevate brand presence and product positioning.
- Oversee financial planning, forecasting, and reporting to key stakeholders.
- Monitor competitive trends and seize emerging opportunities in fintech and payments.
- Build a customer-centric experience for retail and institutional clients.
- Enhance service delivery by integrating agile, user-friendly payment solutions.
- Tailor offerings to meet specific market needs across different geographies.
- Foster a feedback-driven culture that continuously improves service quality.
Leadership & People Management
- Establish and lead a high-performing, diverse team across functions and regions.
- Align business goals with group-level strategies and cultural values.
- Promote professional development and inclusive team dynamics.
Operational Excellence & Risk Management
- Set up robust operational infrastructure covering compliance, risk, and customer support.
- Ensure adherence to all ACPR, EU, and other applicable payment regulations.
- Implement risk frameworks to safeguard financial, operational, and reputational interests.
- Drive governance, data integrity, fraud prevention, and cybersecurity measures.
- Leverage technology to optimise scalability and performance.
Strategic Initiatives & Growth
- Expand into new markets and develop innovative cross-border payment solutions.
- Represent the institution at key industry events and conferences.
- Lead digital transformation and ESG-aligned business practices.
Requirements
What it takes to succeed :
- Bachelor's degree in Business, Finance, Economics, or related field.
- MBA or equivalent postgraduate degree is preferred.
- Fluent in English and French.
- 10+ years in the payments or fintech sector with strong commercial and leadership experience.
- Proven expertise in remittances, digital payments, and compliance with EU regulations.
- Strong track record in building cross-border partnerships and scaling businesses.
- Commercial acumen and strategic vision.
- Deep understanding of cross-border payments and digital financial services.
- Strong leadership, negotiation, and stakeholder engagement skills.
- Entrepreneurial drive and a passion for innovation.
- High ethical standards and cultural agility.
Additional Requirements
What it takes to succeed :
- Experience in B2B selling of a tech service or SaaS product into the large business market.
- A solid network of potential clients and reselling partners.
- Experience in structuring and scaling a sales organization across multiple locations.
- Start-up or scale-up experience is advantageous.
- Proven sales management skills, including hiring, development, and accountability.
- Ability to manage diverse sales teams in different cultures and countries.
- Thrives in fast-paced environments and delivering results quickly.
- Experience working with international and diverse teams.
If you're ready for an exciting challenge, working with a dynamic team, and pushing the boundaries of innovation, join our client on this extraordinary journey! Your talents and passion are exactly what they need to elevate their company to the next level!