Cards Technical Implementation Lead

PayTech Nexus Ltd; Riyadh; On-site; SAR 400,000 - 560,000; Full time

Job summary

PayTech Nexus Ltd. seeks a Cards Technical Implementation Lead to drive end-to-end technical delivery for KSA card programs, including BIN, ICA setup, CMS integration, and Mastercard scheme certification. You will coordinate with processors, personalization bureaus, and product teams to deliver a greenfield BNPL/credit card platform.

The role requires deep payments tech expertise, regulatory awareness (SAMA), and strong leadership in a complex multi-stakeholder environment, onsite in Riyadh.

Qualifications

• Hands-on end-to-end card tech implementation across credit, wallet and commercial cards.
• Experience with principal membership setup and ICA enablement with a major card scheme.
• Experience with processor integrations (tier-1 issuer processors).
• Knowledge of SAMA regulatory framework for card issuance and consumer finance licensing.
• Fluent English; available within 30 days.

Responsibilities

• Lead full technical delivery lifecycle for KSA market card programs, including BIN, ICA, CMS integration and scheme certification.
• Drive membership enablement and regulatory submissions to SAMA to have active membership within 8 weeks.
• Oversee card productionisation and digital issuance, including personalization and NI processing integration.
• Execute digital wallet/tokenisation launches (Apple/Google Pay), MDES setup and 3DS config.
• Manage scheme certification, QA, SIT/UAT, and security testing to resolve defects before go-live.
• Configure authorization, authentication, and dispute management; ensure post-launch BAU readiness.
• Coordinate with Processor, bureaus, and client teams; lead governance sessions.

Skills

End-to-end card impl

BIN setup

ICA assignment

Mastercard certification

Processor integration

Digital wallet

MDES tokenisation

ISO 8583/20022

SAMA regulation

English fluency

Education

Bachelor's degree in CS/IS/Engineering

Tools

JIRA

Confluence

MS Project

Mastercard MIP

API testing suites

Job description

Job Title: Cards Technical Implementation Lead

Term: 12 months

Location: Riyadh, KSA- onsite

Division: Cards & Payments/ Retail Banking

Relevant experience:10+ years in paymentstechnology,cardissuing/processing, andtechnical implementation

Mandatory requirements:

1. Hands-on end-to-end technicalimplementation experience acrossconsumer and commercial cardprograms (credit + wallet/prepaid)
2. Direct experience with principalmembership setup and ICA enablementwith a major card scheme
3. Processor integration experience (e.g.tier-1 issuer processor)
4. Knowledge of SAMA regulatoryframework for card issuance andconsumer finance licensing
5. Fluent English; immediately available orwithin 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 fulltechnical implementation and productionisation of card programs. The KSA market operates under a principalmembership model with the Processor — requiring BIN request and setup, ICA assignment, scheme certification, andphysical/digital card launch. For the right candidate, this is a rare opportunity to lead a greenfield card launch for ahigh-profile fintech, directly shaping how card products reach millions of consumers.

Key Activities Core Responsibilities and Accountabilities

1. Lead the full technical delivery lifecycle across consumer credit, wallet linked, and commercial card programs forthe KSA market — developing and maintaining comprehensive project plans covering BIN request/setup, ICAassignment, CMS integration, processor connectivity, and Mastercard scheme certification — measured by on?time milestone delivery 90%
2. Drive principal membership enablement, coordinating ICA assignment, membership documentation, andregulatory submissions to SAMA — ensuring membership is operationally active within the first 8 weeks
3. 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 perscheme requirements
4. Execute digital wallet and tokenisation launch (Apple Pay, Google Pay, xPay) including MDES setup, tokenisationservices deployment to production, 3DS authentication configuration, and end-to-end digital provisioning flowvalidation
5. 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 defectsare resolved prior to go-live
6. Manage authorisation, authentication, and dispute management configuration — ensuring post-launchoperational readiness including production incident management, initial stabilisation, and comprehensivehandover documentation for BAU operations teams.
7. Coordinate across all parties —Processor, personalization bureaus, and the client's product, technology, andcompliance 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-live
• Digital wallet (xPay) provisioning live / Apple Pay, Google Pay minimum
• Weekly status reporting & 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 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 multiplemarkets, ideally in the GCC/MENA region
• Deep understanding of card management systems (e.g., PowerCARD, Way4, VisionPLUS, Cortex, Prime), issuerprocessing, 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