Director, SME & Market Strategy - Turkey

Mastercard Inc.; Beşiktaş; On-site; TRY 6,003,000 - 9,005,000; Full time

Job summary

Mastercard Inc. in Istanbul seeks a Director for SME to lead market research, advisory, and regional coordination for Turkey and Azerbaijan. You will report to the Eastern Europe Division Lead and operate as a trusted advisor to clients and internal stakeholders.

You will identify trends, promote Mastercard SME solutions, and coordinate cross-functional teams to deliver strategic recommendations and implementation support.

Qualifications

• Deep knowledge of cards products and services, including small business card and solutions offerings, with experience in market research, client advisory, ecosystem engagement, promotion or regional coordination.
• Progressive business experience with a strong track record in the payments industry and a solid understanding of commercial and consumer payments.
• Strong strategic thinking and consulting capabilities, including the ability to assess client needs, translate market insights into actionable recommendations and communicate effectively with senior stakeholders.
• Experience in consulting, client advisory or advisory-led client management, with a strong track record of working directly with customers in on-site environments to understand business needs, develop strategic recommendations, guide implementation and support successful outcomes.
• Strong influencing and stakeholder-management skills, with the ability to drive outcomes through stakeholders and partners who may not report directly into the role.
• Demonstrated ability to influence without direct authority, build alignment across stakeholders and drive execution through strong collaboration.
• High bias for action, with a disciplined and results-driven approach to achieving strategic objectives and agreed deliverables.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills, with the ability to identify issues early and resolve them directly or through effective escalation.
• Excellent interpersonal, communication, writing and presentation skills, with the executive presence required to engage senior stakeholders, facilitate strategic discussions and represent Mastercard credibly in client-facing environments.

Responsibilities

• Based in Istanbul and supports the Turkey and Azerbaijan markets through regional market research and coordination.
• Provide strategic advisory support on small business market developments and client needs by combining leadership with strategic advisory support, helping clients understand relevant market opportunities, solve business challenges and consider appropriate, non-binding strategic recommendations based on Mastercard's approved products and solutions.
• Identify and report market trends, ecosystem developments and potential areas for further assessment by the head office or commercial teams. Support promotion of head office-approved small business solutions and coordinate communications and introductions.
• Provide market intelligence, competitor observations and customer feedback to support head office-led regional planning for small business initiatives across Turkey and Azerbaijan.
• Monitor and report small business payment trends, customer needs and market developments.
• Provide subject matter expertise and advisory leadership by working closely with clients and internal stakeholders to understand needs, develop non-binding strategic recommendations and coordinate implementation support across relevant product and market teams.
• Facilitate cross-functional collaboration, information transfer, governance and continuous improvement across internal stakeholders and partner teams.

Skills

Cards products expertise

Market research

Client advisory

Ecosystem engagement

Regional coordination

Payments industry knowledge

Strategic thinking

Consulting capabilities

Stakeholder management

Influence without authority

Job description

Mastercard Inc. in Istanbul seeks a Director for SME to lead market research, advisory, and regional coordination for Turkey and Azerbaijan. You will report to the Eastern Europe Division Lead and operate as a trusted advisor to clients and internal stakeholders.

You will identify trends, promote Mastercard SME solutions, and coordinate cross-functional teams to deliver strategic recommendations and implementation support.