Cards Program Lead

Job Title: Cards Program Lead

Term: 12 months

Location: Riyadh, KSA

Division: Banking & Technology

Relevant experience: 15-20 years experience

Mandatory requirements: Hands on expertise in program management specifically related to card launches

PURPOSE OF JOB

The Program Lead will oversee the end-to-end launch and management of corporate and consumer card programs, working closely with cross-functional and leadership teams. This role is responsible for driving strategy, execution, and optimization of card products, ensuring alignment with client needs and companies capabilities.

TASKS

Core Responsibilities and Accountabilities

1. Market Research and Strategy Development

• Benchmark large-market corporate and consumer card programs.
• Identify key customer needs (travel spend management, expense reconciliation, card features and benefits).
• Develop business strategy with revenue projections and cost-benefit analysis. Perform strategy calibration as per business requirements.
• Align product strategy with companys network and offerings.

2. Planning & Coordination

• Provide oversight of program delivery against the project plan.
• Coordinate tasks across internal teams and external stakeholders.
• Align deliverables with business objectives and timelines.
• Design end-to-end processes for onboarding, servicing, and dispute resolution.
• Establish governance structures for clear accountability.
• Set escalation procedures for customized corporate solutions.

3. Risk Management

• Identify potential risks early in the project lifecycle.
• Implement effective mitigation strategies to minimize impact.

4. Quality Assurance

• Ensure compliance with business and technical requirements.
• Oversee testing phases and validate program readiness.

5. Communication

• Provide regular status updates to stakeholders.
• Manage expectations and maintain clear communication between client and technical teams.

6. Budget & Resource Management

• Monitor project costs and resource allocation.
• Ensure the program remains within approved budget parameters.

7. Post-Launch Support

• Oversee program deployment and ensure smooth go-live.
• Address post-launch issues promptly and effectively.
• Monitor performance metrics (adoption, transaction volume, credit performance).
• Identify opportunities for product expansion and enhancements (e.g., CVP revamp, new products)

Knowledge and Experience

• Bachelors degree in Business, Project Management, or related field (Masters preferred).
• Proven experience in program or project management within financial services or payment solutions.
• Strong understanding of commercial and consumer card programs and associated technologies.
• Excellent communication, leadership, and stakeholder management skills.
• Proficiency in project management tools and methodologies (e.g., Agile, Waterfall). 
• PMP or PRINCE2 certification is a plus.
• Experience working with payment schemes.
• Exceptional analytical, problem-solving, and communication skills, with a strong focus on collaboration and stakeholder engagement.
• Excellent communication and problem-solving skills.
• Proven stakeholder management from technical and non-technical areas as well as senior management
• Ability to work in a dynamic, fast-paced environment