About the job Cards Technical Implementation Lead

Job Title: Cards Technical Implementation Lead

Term: 12 months

Location: Riyadh, KSA- onsite

Division: Cards & Payments/ Retail Banking

Relevant experience: 10+ years in payments technology, card issuing/processing, and technical implementation

Mandatory requirements:

1. Hands-on end-to-end technical implementation experience across consumer and commercial card programs (credit + wallet/prepaid)
2. Direct experience with principal membership setup and ICA enablement with a major card scheme
3. Processor integration experience (e.g. tier-1 issuer processor)
4. Knowledge of SAMA regulatory framework for card issuance and consumer finance licensing
5. 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.

Key Activities
Core Responsibilities and Accountabilities

1. 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%
2. Drive principal membership enablement, coordinating ICA assignment, membership documentation, and regulatory 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 per scheme requirements
4. 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
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 defects are resolved prior to go-live
6. 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.
7. 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-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 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