Manager, Franchise Innovation

Mastercard is a global technology company in the payments industry. Its Franchise Innovation team develops and deploys solutions to support customers and strengthen the payments ecosystem across Eastern Europe, Middle East, and Africa.

The Franchise Innovation team at Mastercard is dedicated to developing and deploying innovative solutions that support customers and strengthen the payments ecosystem across Eastern Europe, Middle East, and Africa (EEMEA). This position operates at the intersection of payments innovation, ecosystem enablement, compliance, and business growth. The successful candidate will be responsible for supporting the development, promotion, and execution of Franchise-enabled solutions, ensuring customer growth while maintaining adherence to Mastercard Standards. Key aspects of the role include customer onboarding, data analysis, market intelligence, fraud reviews, ecosystem monitoring, and providing operational support. The Manager will also coordinate and manage activities related to Acquirers and Payment Facilitators throughout the EEMEA region, with a focus on the merchant acquiring domain.

1. Support the onboarding and enablement of new Service Providers and other ecosystem participants.
2. Assist in customer engagements by presenting Franchise programs, standards, and value propositions.
3. Support stakeholders on matters related to payments fraud management, approval rates, and scheme compliance.
4. Conduct operational reviews for Customers, Payment Facilitators, and other Service Providers.
5. Identify and commercialize solutions to address customer pain points and improve ecosystem performance.
6. Develop and deliver training materials and solution-based sessions for internal and external stakeholders.
7. Analyze transaction data to identify trends, opportunities, risks, and areas requiring attention, and design internal reports to communicate findings and remediation activities.
8. Support the delivery of consulting engagements to optimize customer performance, including trainings, performance optimization projects, and FMP reviews.
9. Identify opportunities to improve processes, enhance customer experience, and support regional growth objectives.

1. A Diploma qualification is required.
2. A minimum of 2 years of experience is required.
3. Experience working with acquirers on operations, merchant onboarding, Payment Facilitators, fraud reviews, and merchant compliance with scheme standards, or experience selling tools and solutions in this space.
4. Proven experience in the payments industry, merchant acquiring operations, product management, or fraud management.
5. Strong verbal and written communication skills, including the ability to deliver presentations at both business and technical levels.
6. Demonstrated ability to collaborate effectively, take ownership, and work with team members to achieve common goals aligned with Mastercard values.
7. Strong execution skills, including efficient follow-up on action items, effective time management, incorporating contingencies into planning, and fulfilling commitments.
8. A focused and results-driven approach, capable of identifying opportunities for Franchise Solutions and other Mastercard services.
9. Flexibility and commitment, demonstrated by maintaining focus during unanticipated changes and effectively resolving conflicts to accomplish goals.
10. Strong problem-solving abilities, including identifying root causes through data analysis, thinking creatively to find and implement solutions, and analyzing data to build new reports.
11. Strong organizational and coordination skills, with the ability to manage multiple initiatives and stakeholders simultaneously.
12. An analytical mindset with experience working with data, reports, and documentation.
13. Proficiency in Microsoft Excel, PowerPoint, and Word.
14. Fluency in English is required; proficiency in any other language is a plus.