Cards Manager

Our client is a rapidly expanding e-payments and financial services institution and is now strengthening its product team with the addition of a Cards Manager to be based full-time in their Malta office.Joining the business at this stage offers the opportunity to play a key role in shaping and evolving the card product offering within a fast-growing, regulated environment. The Cards Manager will own the end-to-end card product lifecycle, combining product, operational, and technical oversight while ensuring full regulatory compliance and strong market positioning.

Responsibilities

• Own and manage the full lifecycle of card products, from development and launch through enhancements and eventual discontinuation, ensuring alignment with market needs, customer expectations, and regulatory standards
• Monitor card product performance and provide data-driven recommendations for optimisation and improvement
• Oversee day-to-day card operations, including issuance, activation, usage, and the configuration and maintenance of card management systems
• Work closely with card processors, payment schemes (Visa, Mastercard), and internal stakeholders to ensure smooth and efficient operations
• Act as a point of escalation for card-related queries, providing support to internal teams and customers
• Ensure ongoing compliance with relevant local and international regulations, including PSD2, AML/CFT, and PCI DSS
• Manage and maintain relationships with third-party providers, including service agreements, card design changes, upgrades, and functional enhancements
• Lead and contribute to projects related to new card products, system upgrades, and operational improvements, coordinating across IT, compliance, and operations teams
• Prepare regular management reports on card product performance, identifying trends, risks, and opportunities for growth or cost optimisation
• Ensure card systems are operating effectively through testing, updates, and continuous monitoring
• Collaborate with IT teams to troubleshoot and resolve card processing or system-related issues
• Deliver training to staff on card products, processes, and customer service practices
• Develop and maintain documentation such as FAQs, training materials, and troubleshooting guides, ensuring teams remain informed of operational updates
• Track and analyse key KPIs, including card usage, transaction volumes, and customer satisfaction metrics

Requirements

• Bachelors degree in Business Administration, Banking & Finance, or a related discipline
• Solid understanding of card management systems, payment processing platforms, and regulatory compliance frameworks, particularly within electronic money services
• Minimum of 5 years experience in financial services, with hands-on experience in card issuing considered essential
• Strong analytical skills with the ability to interpret data and trends to support decision-making and reporting
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with the confidence to engage with vendors, internal teams, and customers
• High level of attention to detail, ensuring accuracy across system configurations, reporting, and compliance requirements
• Strong knowledge of the payments ecosystem, including card networks, interchange fees, and payment gateways
• Ability to work independently while also collaborating effectively within cross-functional teams, supported by strong interpersonal skills