Head of Operations

We are seeking a highly strategic and execution-focused Head of Operations to lead and optimize our payment operations function. This role will be responsible for overseeing the end-to-end processing, settlement, and reconciliation of payments, ensuring compliance with regulatory standards, improving operational efficiency, and delivering exceptional service to our clients and partners. The ideal candidate will bring deep expertise in payment systems, operational risk, and scaling operations within a fast-paced fintech or financial services environment.

• Bachelor's degree in Business, Finance, Operations Management, or a related field (Master’s degree or MBA preferred).
• Minimum of 8 years of experience in operations, with at least 4 years in a leadership role within the payments or fintech space.
• Strong understanding of the end-to-end payment ecosystem, including payment gateways, switching, settlement, reconciliation, fraud controls, and compliance frameworks.
• Proven experience with operational tools and platforms used in the payments industry.
• Deep knowledge of local and international payment regulations and standards.
• Exceptional leadership, project management, and stakeholder engagement skills.
• Analytical mindset with strong problem-solving capabilities.
• Ability to work in a fast-paced, high-growth environment and manage multiple priorities.

• Lead the planning, execution, and continuous improvement of all payment operations, including transaction processing, settlements, reconciliations, chargebacks, and exception handling.
• Design and implement scalable payment operations processes and frameworks aligned with regulatory compliance, risk management, and business growth.
• Oversee daily payment operations across multiple payment channels (cards, bank transfers, wallets, etc.), ensuring timely and accurate transaction handling.
• Collaborate with internal stakeholders (Product, Tech, Compliance, Customer Success) to optimize payment workflows and resolve operational issues.
• Drive automation and digitization initiatives to improve efficiency, reduce manual processes, and minimize operational risks.
• Maintain strong relationships with banks, payment processors, and financial partners to ensure smooth service delivery and issue resolution.
• Monitor and report on operational KPIs, payment success rates, transaction anomalies, and risk exposure.
• Ensure full compliance with relevant regulatory bodies and payment scheme rules (e.g., PCI DSS, ISO standards, CBN/NIBSS regulations).
• Build, mentor, and lead a high-performing team of operations professionals.
• Lead internal and external audits related to payments operations, and respond to regulatory and partner inquiries as needed.