Senior Manager - Banking & Payments Transformation

Job Description

Senior Manager – Banking & Payments Transformation

Location: London

Service Line: Consulting

Sub-Service Line: Business Consulting

Grade: Senior Manager

Drawing on reputation for providing deep industry experience and leading consulting services to the payments industry, EY is further expanding its Banking & Payments Transformation team. Our objective is simple; we look to provide long-term value to our clients by simplifying their business models and improving their processes while focusing on their customer needs.

At EY, you will have the chance to build a career as unique as you are, with the global scale, support, inclusive culture, and technology to become the best version of you. And we are counting on your unique voice and perspective to help EY become even better, too. Join us and build an exceptional experience for yourself and a better working world for all.

We are looking for high calibre Senior Managers, with exceptional leadership skills and proven track record of delivering tangible results on complex payments transformation initiatives at top tier global banking institutions, payment service providers and schemes leveraging modern technologies and through partnerships within the payments ecosystem. If you have relevant experience in advisory roles, a passion for enacting change in the payments industry, combined with the drive to help businesses achieve their potential, this role is for you.

The opportunity:

The Banking & Payments Transformation team brings together a deep knowledge of banking and payments industry trends and strong execution experience to help our clients develop and execute their transformation agendas and deliver on strategic business objectives.

Our clients are facing increasing pressure from regulators to improve customer outcomes and reduce systemic risk; from shareholders to improve returns through improved efficiency and reduce cost; and from customers to deliver seamless, digital, and customer-friendly services which match those being offered by traditional and new, often fully digital competitors.

As a Senior Manager within our Banking & Payments Transformation team, you will primarily focus on leading high-impact, complex payment transformation engagements which are at the forefront of the evolving payments landscape. Your expertise will guide top-tier banks, fintechs, and financial services firms through strategic operating model redesigns, regulatory shifts, and technological disruption. This role demands deep payments domain knowledge, strong consulting acumen, and a proven track record of delivering measurable business outcomes.

Your key responsibilities:

We are looking for people who can originate and grow client relationships, shape and design practical and innovative solutions to address our clients’ challenges as well as lead high performing client delivery teams. Your key responsibilities would include:

• Leverage your client relationships, contacts, and networks to develop our business, and lead go-to-market initiatives that enhance the firm’s market presence.

• Lead end-to-end transformation programs addressing consumer, corporate, & card payments, driving innovation in product, operations, technology, and governance.

• Build and maintain strong cross-functional relationships within EY and with external partners to facilitate seamless collaboration and deliver integrated payments transformation solutions.

• Drive operational and financial performance on client engagements by managing profitability, risks, governance, and quality standards ensuring compliance with EY policies, professional standards, and client expectations.

• Champion continuous improvement by identifying and implementing innovative methodologies, tools, and best practices to enhance team effectiveness and client outcomes.

• Develop & articulate thought leadership on payments innovation, regulatory trends, and future market dynamics including digital currencies & embedded commerce.

• Mentor and develop high-performing teams, fostering an inclusive culture that supports professional growth, collaboration, and achievement of strategic objectives.

To qualify for the role, you must have some or all the following:

• Extensive payments industry or Big-4 / specialist consulting experience with deep expertise in payments products and services (e.g., retail, corporate, cards) and product management across the payments lifecycle.

• Experience in real-time payments, open banking, cross-border payments, and payments risk/fraud transformation.

• In-depth understanding of the payment ecosystem, including regulatory frameworks (e.g., PSD3, the National Payment Vision and its objectives on fraud prevention, consumer protection and resilience, APP liability, etc.), market structure, and emerging trends.

• Demonstrated track record of delivery leadership on transformation programs encompassing operating model redesign, regulatory compliance, and technology modernisation.

• Strong commercial acumen with a history of originating business and managing complex client engagements at the executive level.

• Exceptional communication skills, capable of bridging strategy and execution while influencing diverse stakeholder groups.

• Thought leadership credentials and a forward-looking perspective on payments innovation and the future of money, including:

• Account-to-account payments

• Digital currencies and tokenised money

• Agentic payments and embedded commerce

• Cross-border payments & the drive for speed, transparency, and interoperability

• Modernisation of payment architecture and operating models

• Fraud, resilience, financial crime & risk considerations in next-generation payment models

Success in this role would be measured by your ability to:

• Build trusted relationships with senior payments and transformation leaders

• Originate and convert new client opportunities.

• Lead high-quality delivery across complex payments transformation projects.

• Strengthen the firm’s market profile in UK payments.

• Help shape a distinctive and scalable Payments Transformation proposition.

• Coach and develop the next generation of payments consultants within the team.

What we offer:

• We offer a competitive remuneration package where you will be rewarded for your individual and team performance. Our comprehensive Total Rewards package includes support for flexible working and career development, and with MyReward you can select benefits that suit your needs, covering holidays, health and well-being, insurance, savings, and a wide range of discounts, offers, and promotions. Plus, we offer:

• Continuous learning: You will develop the mindset and skills to navigate whatever comes next.

• Success as defined by you: We will provide the tools and flexibility, so you can make a meaningful impact, your way.

• Transformative leadership: We will give you the insights, coaching and confidence to be the leader the world needs.

• Diverse and inclusive culture: You will be embraced for who you are and empowered to use your voice to help others find theirs.

If you can demonstrate that you meet the criteria above, please contact us as soon as possible.

EY | Building a better working world

EY is building a better working world by creating new value for clients, people, society and the planet, while building trust in capital markets.

Enabled by data, AI and advanced technology, EY teams help clients shape the future with confidence and develop answers for the most pressing issues of today and tomorrow.

EY teams work across a full spectrum of services in assurance, consulting, tax, strategy and transactions. Fueled by sector insights, a globally connected, multi-disciplinary network and diverse ecosystem partners, EY teams can provide services in more than 150 countries and territories.