Card Technical Implementation Lead
About the job
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