Subject Matter Expert: Cards & Payments

Positron Se; Johannesburg; On-site; ZAR 800 000 - 1 200 000; Full time

Job summary

A leading financial services firm in Johannesburg is seeking a Subject Matter Expert (SME) in Cards & Payments. You will provide expert guidance on regulatory compliance and digital payment systems. The ideal candidate has over 5 years of experience in financial services and significant expertise in card systems and fraud investigation. This role demands excellent communication skills and the ability to deliver results in a fast-paced environment.

Qualifications

• 5+ years in financial services (banking/fintech).
• 3+ years as an SME in cards/payments.
• Deep knowledge of card systems (e.g., EMV standards).

Responsibilities

• Advise on regulatory compliance for payment systems.
• Support card product development and digital wallet integration.
• Investigate card fraud and propose solutions.

Skills

Regulatory compliance expertise

Card product development

Fraud investigation

System improvements collaboration

Data analysis skills

Excellent communication

Teamwork

Education

Bachelor’s degree in finance, IT, business, or related field

Payments/cards-related certifications

Tools

SQL

Excel

BI tools

Job description

Join our client as a Subject Matter Expert (SME) in Cards & Payments. You'll provide expert guidance on credit/debit cards, digital payments (e.g., mobile wallets), and rewards programs. This role focuses on ensuring compliance, reducing fraud, and enhancing payment systems through short-term projects like product launches or regulatory upgrades. You'll work closely with client teams (IT, legal, operations) and partners (e.g., Visa/Mastercard) to deliver results in a fast-paced banking environment.

Key Responsibilities

• Advise on regulatory compliance (e.g., central bank submissions, payment system laws).
• Support card product development, including contactless payments and digital wallet integration.
• Investigate card fraud, disputes, and transaction issues, proposing solutions to cut losses.
• Collaborate on system improvements and train client staff on card security and tools (e.g., mobile banking apps).
• Stay updated on payment trends (e.g., biometrics, tokenization) to drive innovation.
• Deliver project milestones on time, with clear documentation and knowledge sharing.

What We’re Looking For

• Education: Bachelor’s degree in finance, IT, business, or related field (postgraduate a plus).
• Certifications: Payments/cards-related certifications (e.g., PCI DSS, CISSP, CPP) preferred.
• 5+ years in financial services (banking/fintech).
• 3+ years as an SME in cards/payments, with hands-on work in regulatory reporting, product management, or fraud detection.
• Deep knowledge of card systems (e.g., EMV standards) and South African regulations.
• Strong data analysis skills (SQL, Excel, BI tools) for risk and fraud work.
• Excellent communication and teamwork for client-site collaboration.
• Ability to deliver fast, ethical results in a project-based role.