Cards Technical Implementation Lead

PayTech Group; Riyadh; On-site; SAR 360,000 - 540,000; Full time

Job summary

PayTech Group seeks a Cards Technical Implementation Lead to drive end-to-end delivery of consumer, wallet, and commercial card programs in the KSA market. You will own BIN requests, ICA assignments, scheme certification, and processor integration, coordinating with product, technology, and compliance teams.

The role requires deep payments domain knowledge, hands-on implementation experience, and fluency in English. Onsite in Riyadh with a high impact greenfield BNPL/card platform initiative.

Qualifications

• Hands-on end-to-end technical implementation experience across consumer and commercial card programs (credit + wallet/prepaid).
• Direct experience with principal membership setup and ICA enablement with a major card scheme.
• Processor integration experience (e.g. tier-1 issuer processor).
• Knowledge of SAMA regulatory framework for card issuance and consumer finance licensing.
• Fluent English, immediate availability or within 30-day notice.

Responsibilities

• Lead full technical delivery lifecycle for card programs across KSA market including BIN setup, ICA assignment, and Mastercard scheme certification.
• Oversee card productionisation and digital issuance from design to production and digital provisioning.
• Execute digital wallet and tokenisation launches (Apple Pay, Google Pay) and MDES/xPay integration.
• Coordinate scheme certification, QA testing, SIT/UAT, and pre-go-live defect resolution.
• Manage auth, authentication, dispute management, and post-launch BAU handover for operations.

Skills

End-to-end card implementation

Membership setup & ICA enablement

Processor integration

SAMA regulatory knowledge

Fluent English

Education

Bachelor's degree in Computer Science/Information Systems/Engineering

Tools

JIRA

Confluence

MS Project

Mastercard MIP

Postman

SoapUI

Job description

Job Title Cards Technical Implementation Lead Term 12 months Location Riyadh KSA- onsite Division Cards amp Payments Retail Banking

Relevant experience 10 years in payments technology card issuing processing and technical implementation

Mandatory requirements

• Hands-on end-to-end technical implementation experience across consumer and commercial card programs (credit + wallet/prepaid)


• Direct experience with principal membership setup and ICA enablement with a major card scheme Processor integration experience (e.g. tier-1 issuer processor)


• Knowledge of SAMA regulatory framework for card issuance and consumer finance licensing Fluent English immediately available or within 30-day notice

Purpose of Project

A BNPL platform launching mass consumer credit cards wallet-linked prepaid cards and commercial card products This role embeds a dedicated specialist within the client s KSA technology and product teams to drive the full technical implementation and productionisation of card programs The KSA market operates under a principal membership model with the Processor requiring BIN request and setup ICA assignment scheme certification and physical digital card launch For the right candidate this is a rare opportunity to lead a greenfield card launch for a high-profile fintech directly shaping how card products reach millions of consumers

Core Activities/Core Responsibilities

• Lead the full technical delivery lifecycle across consumer credit wallet linked and commercial card programs for the KSA market developing and maintaining comprehensive project plans covering BIN request setup ICA assignment CMS integration processor connectivity and Mastercard scheme certification measured by on time milestone delivery 90 Drive principal membership enablement coordinating ICA assignment membership documentation and regulatory submissions to SAMA ensuring membership is operationally active within the first 8 weeks


• Oversee card productionisation and digital issuance from card design and personalisation through production fulfilment and digital provisioning ensuring integration with NI processing platform personalization bureau per scheme requirements


• Execute digital wallet and tokenisation launch Apple Pay Google Pay xPay including MDES setup tokenisation services deployment to production 3DS authentication configuration and end-to-end digital provisioning flow validation


• Lead scheme certification and quality assurance including MIP testing parametrisation workbook completion package configuration SIT UAT performance testing and security testing ensuring 100 of P1 P2 defects are resolved prior to go-live


• Manage authorisation authentication and dispute management configuration ensuring post-launch operational readiness including production incident management initial stabilisation and comprehensive handover documentation for BAU operations teams


• Coordinate across all parties Processor personalization bureaus and the client s product technology and compliance functions facilitating workshops solution design sessions and weekly monthly governance cadence

KPIs

• indicative Card programs technically launch-ready


• BIN setup scheme certification within first 3 months


• Project milestones delivered on-time


• Against agreed project plan


• Critical defects resolved pre-launch


• Prior to go-liveDigital wallet xPay provisioning live Apple Pay Google Pay minimum


• Weekly status reporting amp monthly SteerCo cadence


• Stakeholder satisfaction client feedback - Quarterly feedback from client Head of Personal Banking

Knowledge and Experience

Domain Expertise Bachelor s degree in Computer Science Information Systems Engineering or related field10 years in payments technology card issuing processing and technical implementation program managementProven track record delivering card product launches credit wallet prepaid commercial across multiple markets ideally in the GCC MENA regionDeep understanding of card management systems e g PowerCARD Way4 VisionPLUS Cortex Prime issuer processing and card lifecycle issuance authorisation clearing settlement disputes Technical Knowledge ISO 8583 ISO 20022 messaging standards BIN management personalisation tokenisation MDES VTS 3DS and digital wallets Apple Pay Google Pay PCI-DSS compliance requirements and security standards for card issuanceAPI-based integrations simulator certification environments and cloud native architecturesRegulatory amp Regional Strong knowledge of SAMA regulatory framework for card issuance and consumer financeFamiliarity with Mastercard products services CIS processes and scheme rulesUnderstanding of Shariah-compliant financial products is a plusIndustry amp Sector Experience working with fintech or BNPL companies is highly desirableExposure to greenfield card program launches vs migration enhancement preferredTools amp Platforms Project management tools JIRA Confluence MS Project or equivalentTesting and certification tools Mastercard MIP scheme simulators API testing suites Postman SoapUI MANDATORY SKILLS End-to-end card technical implementation and productionisation credit wallet commercial BIN setup ICA assignment and Mastercard scheme certificationProcessor integration experienceDigital wallet tokenisation MDES xPay Fluent English Client working language Arabic is a plusPreferred but not mandatory PMP PRINCE2 or equivalent project management certification Mastercard Certified Associate or Professional Dispute Resolution or Fraud Management Arabic language proficiency Mandatory requirements: Hands-on end-to-end technical implementation experience across consumer and commercial card programs (credit + wallet/prepaid) Direct experience with principal membership setup and ICA enablement with a major card scheme Processor integration experience (e.g. tier-1 issuer processor) Knowledge of SAMA regulatory framework for card issuance and consumer finance licensing Fluent English; immediately available or within 30-day notice Domain Expertise: Bachelor's degree in Computer Science, Information Systems, Engineering, or related field 10+ years in payments technology, card issuing/processing, and technical implementation program management Proven track record delivering card product launches (credit, wallet/prepaid, commercial) across multiple markets, ideally in the GCC/MENA region Deep understanding of card management systems (e.g., PowerCARD, Way4, VisionPLUS, Cortex, Prime), issuer processing, and card lifecycle (issuance authorisation clearing settlement disputes) Technical Knowledge: ISO 8583 / ISO 20022 messaging standards, BIN management, personalisation, tokenisation (MDES/VTS), 3DS, and digital wallets (Apple Pay, Google Pay) PCI-DSS compliance requirements and security standards for card issuance API-based integrations, simulator/certification environments, and cloud native architectures Regulatory & Regional: Strong knowledge of SAMA regulatory framework for card issuance and consumer finance Familiarity with Mastercard products, services, CIS processes, and scheme rules Understanding of Shariah-compliant financial products is a plus Industry & Sector: Experience working with fintech or BNPL companies is highly desirable Exposure to greenfield card program launches (vs. migration/enhancement) preferred Tools & Platforms: Project management tools: JIRA, Confluence, MS Project, or equivalent Testing and certification tools: Mastercard MIP, scheme simulators, API testing suites (Postman, SoapUI) MANDATORY SKILLS** End-to-end card technical implementation and productionisation (credit, wallet, commercial) BIN setup, ICA assignment, and Mastercard scheme certification Processor integration experience Digital wallet/tokenisation (MDES, xPay) Fluent English; Client working language; Arabic is a plus Preferred but not mandatory: PMP, PRINCE2, or equivalent project management certification Mastercard Certified Associate or Professional (Dispute Resolution or Fraud Management) Arabic language proficiency

Domain Expertise

• Bachelor's degree in Computer Science, Information Systems, Engineering, or related field


• 10 years in payments technology card issuing processing and technical implementation program management


• Proven track record delivering card product launches (credit, wallet/prepaid, commercial) across multiple markets, ideally in the GCC/MENA region


• Deep understanding of card management systems (e.g., PowerCARD, Way4, VisionPLUS, Cortex, Prime), issuer processing, and card lifecycle (issuance authorisation clearing settlement disputes)


• Technical Knowledge: ISO 8583 / ISO 20022 messaging standards, BIN management, personalisation, tokenisation (MDES/VTS), 3DS, and digital wallets (Apple Pay, Google Pay) PCI-DSS compliance requirements and security standards for card issuance API-based integrations, simulator/certification environments, and cloud native architectures


• Regulatory & Regional: Strong knowledge of SAMA regulatory framework for card issuance and consumer finance Familiarity with Mastercard products, services, CIS processes, and scheme rules Understanding of Shariah-compliant financial products is a plus


• Industry & Sector: Experience working with fintech or BNPL companies is highly desirable Exposure to greenfield card program launches (vs. migration/enhancement) preferred

Technical Knowledge

• ISO 8583


• ISO 20022 messaging standards


• BIN management


• personalisation


• tokenisation MDES VTS


• 3DS


• digital wallets Apple Pay Google Pay PCI-DSS compliance requirements and security standards for card issuance


• API-based integrations simulator certification environments and cloud native architectures

Regulatory & Regional

• Strong knowledge of SAMA regulatory framework for card issuance and consumer finance


• Familiarity with Mastercard products services CIS processes and scheme rules


• Understanding of Shariah-compliant financial products is a plus

Tools & Platforms

• Project management tools JIRA Confluence MS Project or equivalent


• Testing and certification tools Mastercard MIP scheme simulators API testing suites Postman SoapUI

Mandatory Skills

• End-to-end card technical implementation and productionisation credit wallet commercial


• BIN setup ICA assignment and Mastercard scheme certification


• Processor integration experience


• Digital wallet/tokenisation MDES xPay


• Fluent English Client working language Arabic is a plus Preferred but not mandatory:


• PMP PRINCE2 or equivalent project management certification


• Mastercard Certified Associate or Professional Dispute Resolution or Fraud Managementi
  
• Arabic language proficiency

Additional Mandatory SKILLS

** End-to-end card technical implementation and productionisation (credit, wallet, commercial) BIN setup, ICA assignment, and Mastercard scheme certification Processor integration experience Digital wallet/tokenisation (MDES, xPay) Fluent English; Client working language; Arabic is a plus Preferred but not mandatory: PMP, PRINCE2, or equivalent project management certification Mastercard Certified Associate or Professional (Dispute Resolution or Fraud Management) Arabic language proficiency