Cards Technical Implementation Lead

Job Title: Cards Technical Implementation Lead

Term: 12 months

Location: Riyadh KSA- onsite

Division: Cards & Payments/ Retail Banking

Relevant experience:10 years in paymentstechnologycardissuing/processing andtechnical implementation

Mandatory requirements:

1. Hands-on end-to-end technicalimplementation experience acrossconsumer and commercial cardprograms (credit wallet/prepaid)
2. Direct experience with principalmembership setup and ICA enablementwith a major card scheme
3. Processor integration experience (-1 issuer processor)
4. Knowledge of SAMA regulatoryframework for card issuance andconsumer finance licensing
5. Fluent English; immediately available orwithin 30-day notice

Purpose of Project:

A BNPL platform launching mass consumer credit cards wallet-linked prepaid cards and commercial card role embeds a dedicated specialist within the clients KSA technology and product teams to drive the fulltechnical implementation and productionisation of card programs. The KSA market operates under a principalmembership model with the Processor requiring BIN request and setup ICA assignment scheme certification andphysical/digital card launch. For the right candidate this is a rare opportunity to lead a greenfield card launch for ahigh-profile fintech directly shaping how card products reach millions of consumers.

Key Activities
Core Responsibilities and Accountabilities

1. Lead the full technical delivery lifecycle across consumer credit wallet linked and commercial card programs forthe KSA market developing and maintaining comprehensive project plans covering BIN request/setup ICAassignment CMS integration processor connectivity and Mastercard scheme certification measured by ontime milestone delivery 90%
2. Drive principal membership enablement coordinating ICA assignment membership documentation andregulatory submissions to SAMA ensuring membership is operationally active within the first 8 weeks
3. Oversee card productionisation and digital issuance from card design and personalisation through productionfulfilment and digital provisioning ensuring integration with NI processing platform personalization bureau perscheme requirements
4. Execute digital wallet and tokenisation launch (Apple Pay Google Pay xPay) including MDES setup tokenisationservices deployment to production 3DS authentication configuration and end-to-end digital provisioning flowvalidation
5. Lead scheme certification and quality assurance including MIP testing parametrisation workbook completionpackage configuration SIT/UAT performance testing and security testing ensuring 100% of P1/P2 defectsare resolved prior to go-live
6. Manage authorisation authentication and dispute management configuration ensuring post-launchoperational readiness including production incident management initial stabilisation and comprehensivehandover documentation for BAU operations teams.
7. Coordinate across all parties Processor personalization bureaus and the clients product technology andcompliance 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:

• Bachelors 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 multiplemarkets ideally in the GCC/MENA region
• Deep understanding of card management systems (e.g. PowerCARD Way4 VisionPLUS Cortex Prime) issuerprocessing and card lifecycle (issuance authorisation clearing settlement disputes)
  
  

Technical Knowledge:

• ISO 8583 / ISO 20022 messaging standards BIN management personalisation tokenisation (MDES/VTS) 3DSand 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 ( 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