Head of Payments

Network Finance; Randburg; On-site; ZAR 1,800,000 - 3,600,000; Full time

Job summary

Network Finance seeks a senior leader to define and execute the South African payments strategy, driving commercial growth and strengthening client value propositions across the payments ecosystem.

You will lead the Payments franchise, set strategic direction for product, commercial and operations, build high‑performing teams, and collaborate with regulators, fintech partners and key stakeholders to shape market development.

Qualifications

• Minimum 12 years' experience in Payments or related financial services.
• Proven leadership of large, revenue-driven payments businesses.
• Experience with regulatory environments and market infrastructure.
• Strong cross-functional, strategic leadership across matrix organisations.

Responsibilities

• Define and execute the SA Payments strategy aligned with business growth.
• Lead Payments franchise across product, commercial, operational and market initiatives.
• Drive revenue growth, market share, and client value propositions.
• Oversee product development, digital payments, and fintech partnerships.
• Shape governance, investment priorities and transformation programmes.
• Engage regulators and industry bodies; represent in executive forums.

Skills

Payments strategy

Financial leadership

Stakeholder engagement

Regulatory & risk management

Team leadership

Digital payments

P&L management

Strategic planning

Executive communication

Education

Bachelor's degree

Postgraduate qualification

MBA beneficial

Job description

The successful candidate will be responsible for defining and executing the payments strategy, driving commercial growth, strengthening client value propositions, and positioning the organisation as a market leader within the rapidly evolving payments ecosystem.

Key Responsibilities:

• Develop and execute the South African Payments strategy aligned to broader business objectives and growth ambitions.
• Lead the Payments franchise, providing strategic direction across product, commercial, operational, and market initiatives.
• Drive revenue growth by identifying market opportunities, enhancing customer propositions, and increasing market share.
• Develop and optimise Payments products and solutions across corporate, commercial, and institutional client segments.
• Drive the integration of digital payments, cross-border payments, liquidity solutions, emerging payment technologies, and fintech partnerships.
• Build innovative client value propositions that respond to evolving customer needs and market trends.
• Lead strategic programmes and transformation initiatives that enhance competitiveness and operational excellence.
• Shape investment priorities and business cases supporting future growth and innovation.
• Drive product adoption and commercialisation strategies across the Payments portfolio.
• Establish governance frameworks and decision‑making disciplines to support sustainable growth and risk management.
• Represent the Payments business in executive forums and strategic decision‑making committees.
• Engage with regulators, market infrastructures, industry bodies, fintech partners and key stakeholders to influence market development.
• Monitor competitor activity, market trends, emerging technologies and regulatory developments.
• Champion innovation, digital transformation, automation and emerging payment capabilities.
• Drive operational effectiveness and continuous improvement across the franchise.
• Build, mentor and develop high‑performing teams while fostering a culture of accountability, collaboration and innovation.
• Strengthen leadership capability, succession planning, employee engagement and organisational performance.

Education:

• Bachelor's Degree in Business, Commerce, Finance, Economics, Information Technology, or a related field.
• Postgraduate qualification advantageous.
• MBA or related executive qualification beneficial.

Experience:

• Minimum 12 years' experience within Payments, Transaction Banking, FinTech, Digital Banking, Treasury Services or related financial services environments.
• Proven experience leading Payments businesses with significant commercial and strategic accountability.
• Strong track record of driving revenue growth, profitability, market expansion and product innovation.
• Extensive experience managing Payments product portfolios and associated P&L responsibility.
• Demonstrated success operating within highly regulated financial services environments.
• Experience engaging regulators, industry bodies, executive stakeholders and strategic partners.
• Proven leadership experience managing large, complex teams and enterprise‑wide initiatives.
• Experience shaping and executing business strategy within complex matrix organisations.
• Exposure to digital transformation, payment modernisation and emerging financial technologies.

Skills:

• Deep understanding of the South African payments ecosystem and market infrastructure.
• Strong knowledge of electronic payments, real‑time payments, cross‑border payments, card payments and transactional banking solutions.
• FinTech and digital payments expertise highly advantageous.
• Advanced commercial acumen and financial management capability.
• Strong strategic planning and execution skills.
• Excellent stakeholder engagement, influencing and negotiation abilities.
• Strong understanding of governance, regulatory, compliance and risk frameworks.
• Ability to translate strategic objectives into measurable business outcomes.
• Strong analytical, problem‑solving and decision‑making skills.
• Exceptional communication and executive presentation abilities.
• Leadership capability across large, complex and matrixed environments.