Financial Networks Manager

We are seeking a Financial Networks Manager to manage and expand our financial networks with card schemes, payment systems, financial institutions, and consumer and business finance providers (including banks and non-banking institutions). This is a position for an experienced professional with an extensive and proven network within the card networks, banking, financial institutions, fintech, and digital asset communities. In this role, the candidate will drive high-impact partnerships for PayU and leverage their influence and determination to build strong commercial collaborations throughout the region. 

What will you do:

• Manage Strategic Partnerships: Build, strengthen, and nurture relationships with strategic partners (card networks, payment systems, financial institutions, and consumer and business finance providers, including banks and non-banking institutions) at both the local (Romanian) and European levels.
• Act as the Primary Point of Contact: Lead the negotiation of complex commercial agreements, ensuring mutually beneficial outcomes, which includes cost optimization and pricing negotiations.
• Regulatory & Compliance Leadership: Work closely with our compliance, legal, and risk teams to ensure all partnerships adhere to stringent regulatory standards, including KYC/AML and licensing requirements in each jurisdiction.
• Cross-Functional Collaboration: Collaborate with product, operations, finance, and sales teams to ensure our partnerships’ capabilities align with business needs in the relevant time. Translate market opportunities into tangible product requirements and support our go-to-market strategies. Provide market insights to accelerate our product roadmap and commercialization efforts.

What are we looking for:

• 5+ years in senior roles within the banking and financial institution sectors, with a strong focus on relationship management and business development.
• Proven track record of successfully developing strategic partnerships and collaborations, with strong negotiation skills for complex commercial and technical agreements.
• Deep understanding of the banking ecosystem and the fintech landscape, along with familiarity with regulatory standards and compliance (KYC/AML, licensing) in the financial sector.
• An extensive and current network of senior contacts within financial institutions, card networks, payment systems, and fintech organizations.
• Ability to collaborate effectively with product, operations, finance, and sales teams, translating market opportunities into actionable product requirements and go-to-market strategies.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills (both Romanian and English), capable of representing the company at banking and financial industry events and forums, with strong presentation abilities for engaging stakeholders and partners.
• Strong leadership and influence skills to drive high-impact partnerships and the ability to lead teams and coordinate cross-functional efforts effectively.