Payments Project/ Program Manager

JOB TITLE: Payments Project/Program Manager

TERM: 12 months 

CLIENT LOCATION: Athens, Greece

RELEVANT EXPERIENCE:  3-5 years experience 

MANDATORY REQUIREMENTS**:

1. Fluency in Greek and English is required.
2. Payments processes and Lifecycle. 
3. Scheme knowledge. 
4. Work from client premises

PURPOSE OF JOB

We are looking for a Project/Program Manager in payments industry to support the successful execution of complex, cross-functional initiatives across our client base. 

Ideal candidates for this role have solid, hands-on experience in the payments industry and a strong understanding of the end-to-end payment ecosystem. This includes card scheme operations, digital payments, transaction processing, and industry regulations. You will be responsible for coordinating related projects, supporting daily operational activities, providing strategic insights and ensuring alignment between internal Mastercard teams and client objectives. The Clients goal is to obtain support in ensuring the effective coordination, tracking and execution of strategic initiatives across the internal Card Department Stream, acting as a bridge between senior leadership priorities and operational execution. 

Strong communication, analytical thinking and project coordination skills are key to success in this position.

TASKS

Core Responsibilities and Accountabilities

• Coordinate and manage payments projects from initiation to completion, ensuring alignment between clients Card Department Stream and goals
• Prepare executive-level presentations and reports for internal stakeholders
• Collaborate closely with client-side business analysis, development, and Card Stream teams, as well as internal teams, to ensure effective coordination among all stakeholders and drive the achievement of business goals.
• Support cross-functional collaboration by facilitating meetings, documenting action items, and following-up on deliverables
• Maintain projects documentation, timelines and progress reports to ensure transparency and accountability
• Monitor and follow up on project milestones, deliverables, and timelines by coordinating with relevant stakeholders, identifying potential delays or risks, and taking proactive steps to ensure timely and successful execution.
• Work closely with Client Services, Sales, Product, and other internal teams to align activities and drive client success.
• Conduct research and analysis to support strategic decision making

Knowledge and Experience

• Proven knowledge and experience in the payments industry is required (e.g., card schemes, transaction processing, issuing/acquiring, regulations)
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills
• Project or program management experience in a client-facing or consulting capacity
• Ability to manage multiple workstreams in a structured and organized way
• Skilled communicator who can simplify complex topics for a range of audiences
• Comfortable working in a fast-paced and constantly evolving environment
• Proficiency in Microsoft Excel, PowerPoint, and other business tools
• Experience with Mastercard platforms, tools, and programs is a plus
• Formal project management certification (e.g., PMP, Prince2) is considered an advantage
• Fluency in Greek and English is required

Mandatory Skills**

• Fluency in Greek and English is required
• Proven knowledge and experience in the payments industry is required (e.g., card schemes, transaction processing, issuing/acquiring, regulations)
• Proficiency in Microsoft Excel, PowerPoint, and other business tools