Role Purpose
Own and operate the core operational functions specific to the Payments business, including settlement, recons and queries (FinOps), and contracts management, while acting as the business owner of the Payments operating model across platforms.
The role ensures end-to-end integrity across the Payments lifecycle — from contracted merchant onboarding through to transaction processing, settlement and financial visibility — across Card Present, E-commerce and Alternative Digital Payments (ADP).
Acts as the senior acquiring SME with mandatory business sign-off authority on all Payments-impacting platform and process changes.
The scope of the role is designed to evolve as the operating model matures, with the mandate to actively shape and refine the PayOps function in collaboration with the broader COO structure over time.
Key Accountabilities
Settlement Operations
Own end-to-end settlement execution (ISO & PayFac)
Manage settlement engine as sub-ledger to ERP
Oversee settlement cycles, funding and exception handling
Ensure reconciliation alignment with ERP control accounts
Recons & Settlement Queries (FinOps)
Own reconciliation-as-a-service
Manage settlement-related merchant queries
Resolve reconciliation breaks and discrepancies
Settlement = execution | FinOps = reconciliation & queries
Contracts Management
Own the validation and integrity of Payments-related contract and subscription data within the broader merchant contract structure
Validate merchant setup pre-activation and post-fulfilment
Ensure CRM data accuracy prior to downstream system integration to switch and settlement engine
Safeguard alignment between contracted products, installed solutions and system configuration
Operate within a single customer, multi-product contract framework, where commercial ownership and pricing decisions remain with Growth
Payments Operating Model Ownership
Business owner of the Payments operating model across CRM, Switch, Settlement, Billing, ERP and the Merchant Transaction & Settlement Hub
Govern hybrid acquiring structure (ISO/PayFac, dual acquiring)
Ensure integrity of merchant lifecycle, settlement and billing flows
Platform Governance & Sign-Off
Mandatory PayOps business sign-off on all changes impacting Payments
Mandatory PayOps business sign-off on any platform or configuration change — including fraud engine changes initiated by Product — where the change has downstream impact on settlement execution, merchant financial positions, or reconciliation processes
Ensure upstream changes do not break downstream settlement, reconciliation, or servicing processes
Merchant Transaction & Settlement Hub
Own the Transaction & Settlement Hub capability
Define transaction-to-settlement data model and business rules
Ensure consistent, near real-time visibility across platforms
Support merchant visibility, reconciliation and query resolution
Operational Insight & Improvement
Identify systemic issues across operations, platforms and integrations
Drive process and platform improvements with Product and Technology
Fraud Integration into Settlement Processes
Own the business rules governing how fraud outcomes — holds, releases, reversals and chargebacks — are reflected in settlement execution and merchant financial positions within CPS
Define and maintain the operational framework for fraud outcome processing across ISO and PayFac settlement models, including under dual acquiring and card scheme routing scenarios
Serve as the PayOps interface to Product on fraud engine behaviour where outputs affect settlement or reconciliation — input and sign-off authority, not engine ownership
Ensure reconciliation processes correctly account for fraud-related settlement adjustments, and that breaks arising from fraud outcomes are identified and resolved within PayOps
Acquiring SME & Internal Advisory
Serve as the internal acquiring authority and primary SME for Product, Technology and operational teams on acquiring models, flows and settlement implications
Ensure solutions and platform changes align to the Payments operating model requirements
Commercial & Pricing — Operational SME Input
Serve as the operational and settlement SME for Payments pricing discussions initiated by Growth and Finance
Provide input on the acquiring cost, settlement, and operational implications of proposed pricing structures and deal terms
Support profitability analysis where settlement economics or acquiring costs are a required input
Respond to budget and forecast requests with Payments-specific cost and settlement data — input only, not ownership of the budgeting or pricing function
Key Performance Indicators
Settlement accuracy rate and exception resolution turnaround
Reconciliation break resolution within defined SLA
Platform sign-off compliance — no Payments-impacting change deployed without PayOps authorisation
Merchant query resolution rate and time-to-resolve
Zero incomplete or inaccurate merchant records passed to switch and settlement engine at activation
Minimum Qualifications
Relevant degree in Finance, Accounting, Information Systems or equivalent
CA(SA) or equivalent professional qualification preferred
Experience Required
Mandatory
8 - 12+ years' experience in payments and/or acquiring environments
Strong experience in settlement operations, reconciliation and fund flow management
Practical understanding of ISO and/or PayFac models
Experience working across payments platforms (e.g. CRM, switch, settlement, billing or ERP)
Proven ability to own and manage operational functions
Strong process, control and data integrity mindset in a regulated environment
Proven experience leading and developing operational teams
Preferred
Experience in hybrid acquiring environments (multi-bank, dual acquiring)
Exposure to end-to-end payments lifecycle across platforms
Experience working with Product and Technology teams
Understanding of payments pricing and commercial structures
Familiarity with SARB/PA regulatory obligations and card scheme rules
Financial qualification (e.g. CA(SA)) or equivalent
Closing Date 29 May 2026