Payments Manager - Middle East

About the Role

Step into a high-impact role as the primary architect of our Middle Eastern expansion, driving growth across the GCC from our Lisbon hub. Acting as an "entrepreneur-in-residence," you will navigate complex regulatory landscapes while aggressively hunting high-value partnerships to cement our position as the region's most reliable gateway. If you thrive on bridging the gap between local market demands and innovative product roadmaps, this is your chance to build and scale something massive.

About the Client

Our partner is a payment gateway provider that operates a massive ecosystem of brands. They simplify complex payments through smart routing technology, real-time monitoring, and SSL/PCI DSS Level 1 security.

As their exclusive recruitment partner, we manage their full-cycle talent acquisition.

What You Will Do

• Define and execute the go-to-market strategy for GCC countries, pinpointing high-growth verticals and localized payment trends.

• Cultivate and maintain deep, strategic partnerships with local acquirers, PSPs, and alternative payment method (APM) providers.

• Source, negotiate, and close enterprise-level deals with merchants and platforms seeking to optimize their regional payment flows.

• Monitor and analyze regional payment performance—including approval rates, latency, and costs—to continuously optimize routing strategies.

• Serve as the primary subject matter expert on regional regulations, ensuring absolute alignment with licensing and compliance standards.

• Translate regional market gaps into actionable, high-impact product requirements for internal engineering and product teams.

What You Bring

• Industry Expertise: Minimum 5+ years of proven experience in the Payments/Fintech sector, with a specific focus on the GCC market.

• Regional Mastery: Deep technical and commercial understanding of the Middle Eastern payment landscape, including local acquiring, 3DS protocols, and regional settlement nuances.

• Established Network: An active "Rolodex" of key contacts across regional banks, payment schemes, and large-scale enterprise merchants.

• Track Record of Growth: Proven success in taking a territory from "zero to one" or significantly scaling Gross Merchandise Value (GMV) through direct business development efforts.

• Analytical Acumen: The ability to dissect complex payment data, uncover optimization opportunities, and clearly communicate findings to cross-functional stakeholders.

• Language Skills: Native or professional-grade fluency in English; Arabic proficiency is considered a significant advantage.

• Builder Mentality: Comfort thriving in the fast pace of a high-growth fintech, with a strong, entrepreneurial preference for "doing" over "delegating."

What's in It for You

• Global Relocation Support: Comprehensive package to relocate to the vibrant Portugal office, including flights, up to two weeks of hotel accommodation, and full visa support for you and your family.

• Competitive Compensation: Attractive remuneration package complete with an annual performance review.

• Work-Life Balance: 24 working days of annual vacation, plus additional paid sick days, ensuring you have the proper time to rest and recharge.

• Comprehensive Health: Premium global coverage health insurance.

• Continuous Growth: Robust learning and development opportunities, tackling interesting and challenging market-expansion tasks.

• Commuter Benefits: Monthly transport compensation of €200 net.

• Lifestyle & Wellness Perks: Partial compensation for tennis lessons, alongside English and Portuguese language classes to help you localize and thrive.

• Vibrant Culture: Regular team-building activities in a collaborative, forward-thinking environment.

You have the opportunity to work in the office in Lisbon.