Title: CIO/CTO – Merchant Acquiring

Location: Remote US

Overview:

Our Client, a growing provider in the payments and neo banking space, is searching for a remote CIO/CTO with merchant acquiring experience to join their leadership team. The Chief Information Officer (CIO) or Chief Technology Officer (CTO) in the merchant acquiring industry plays a pivotal role in leading the organization's technology strategy, overseeing the design, development, and deployment of secure, scalable, and efficient payment solutions. This executive will ensure that technology initiatives align with business goals, enhance merchant experiences, and provide a competitive edge in a rapidly evolving payments landscape. They must have deep knowledge of the payments industry, regulatory requirements, cybersecurity, and emerging fintech trends.

Responsibilities:

• Technology Strategy & Leadership: Define and execute the technology vision and roadmap in alignment with the company’s business objectives.
• Lead the development of innovative payment processing solutions, integrating new technologies to enhance operational efficiency, security, and user experience.
• Keep the company at the forefront of technology advancements in payment processing, including mobile payments, contactless solutions, and real-time payment systems.
• Collaborate with the leadership team to ensure technology initiatives support growth, market competitiveness, and compliance.
• Payment Infrastructure & Systems: Oversee the development, maintenance, and scalability of payment processing platforms, gateways, and systems to support high-volume transaction environments.
• Ensure seamless integration of merchant solutions with various payment processors, banks, and other financial institutions.
• Develop and manage a secure, efficient, and reliable infrastructure for transaction authorization, settlement, and reconciliation.
• Cybersecurity & Compliance: Implement robust cybersecurity measures to protect sensitive data, including payment information, merchant details, and financial transactions.
• Ensure compliance with industry standards and regulatory requirements such as PCI DSS, GDPR, and PSD2.
• Develop policies and procedures to safeguard against fraud, data breaches, and unauthorized access to payment systems.
• Work closely with legal and compliance teams to manage risk and ensure adherence to all applicable financial regulations and standards.
• Product Innovation & Development: Drive the development and innovation of new payment products, including support for alternative payment methods, digital wallets, cryptocurrencies, and BNPL (Buy Now, Pay Later) options.
• Lead the design and development of APIs, SDKs, and other technical tools that enhance integration with merchants and third-party providers.
• Foster a culture of continuous improvement, promoting experimentation with emerging technologies like AI, blockchain, and machine learning in payment processing.
• Vendor & Stakeholder Management: Manage relationships with external technology vendors, payment gateways, and software providers to ensure optimal performance, security, and cost-effectiveness.
• Negotiate contracts with third-party service providers and lead procurement efforts to acquire necessary technology infrastructure.
• Liaise with merchants, financial institutions, and payment networks to develop strong partnerships and foster collaboration.
• Team Leadership & Development: Lead and mentor the technology team, including software engineers, IT professionals, product managers, and cybersecurity experts.
• Foster a collaborative and high-performance work environment, encouraging innovation, creativity, and professional growth within the IT department.
• Develop and maintain a strong talent pipeline, ensuring the team is equipped to meet current and future technology needs.
• Data Analytics & Insights: Utilize data analytics to optimize transaction processes, reduce fraud, and improve merchant and customer experiences.
• Leverage insights from transaction data to inform business decisions, identify opportunities for growth, and enhance the overall payment ecosystem.
• Implement data-driven strategies to monitor system performance, identify inefficiencies, and drive continuous improvement.
• Budget & Resource Management: Oversee the IT budget, ensuring cost-effective investments in technology infrastructure and solutions.
• Prioritize technology initiatives based on business needs, ROI, and overall impact on the company’s strategic goals.
• Manage resource allocation across technology projects to ensure timely delivery and adherence to budgets.

Requirements:

• Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Computer Science, Information Technology, Engineering, or a related field. An MBA or equivalent management qualification is a plus.
• 10+ years of experience in IT leadership, with a strong background in the payments or financial services industry, particularly in merchant acquiring, payment processing, or fintech.
• Proven experience in developing and implementing large-scale, secure payment processing platforms.
• Deep understanding of the payment ecosystem, including transaction processing, card networks, issuing/acquiring banks, and fintech integrations.
• Expertise in modern payment technologies, including cloud computing, API integration, blockchain, artificial intelligence, and mobile payments.
• Strong understanding of security protocols, encryption technologies, and regulatory frameworks (e.g., PCI DSS, GDPR, PSD2).
• Demonstrated experience in leading cross-functional teams, driving innovation, and managing large technology departments.
• Strong problem-solving, decision-making, and project management skills with the ability to manage multiple initiatives simultaneously.
• Ability to communicate complex technical concepts to non-technical stakeholders, including senior executives and board members.
• Experience with agile development methodologies and DevOps practices.
• Strong track record of managing cybersecurity initiatives and leading incident response teams.
• Familiarity with global payment markets, cross-border transactions, and international compliance requirements.
• Strategic thinker with a forward-looking approach to technology and innovation.
• Strong business acumen with a focus on driving results and enhancing profitability.
• Collaborative leader with excellent communication and interpersonal skills.
• A proactive problem solver who thrives in a fast-paced and dynamic environment.