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:

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

• 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%
• Drive principal membership enablement, coordinating ICA assignment, membership documentation, and regulatory submissions to SAMA - ensuring membership is operationally active within the first 8 weeks
• 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
• 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
• 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
• 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.
• 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