Director – Banking & Financial Institution Partnerships - Dubai

Location: Dubai, UAE | Region: MENA, with global responsibilities as required About PayerMaxPayerMax is a leading global fintech company rooted in emerging markets. It is committed to delivering professional, omni-method global payment solutions — including global acquiring, payout, and collections — providing merchants with a safer, more convenient one-stop payment experience.Leveraging years of experience in emerging markets, PayerMax continues to expand its global footprint, breaking down geographical and currency barriers, and maximizing growth beyond borders. Role OverviewWe are seeking a Senior Banking & Financial Institutions Partnership Lead to spearhead the company's strategic banking, FI, and payment infrastructure partnerships across the MENA region, with additional support for global initiatives as required.This role will be accountable for developing and managing high-value relationships with banks, financial institutions, payment service providers (PSPs), and fintech partners. You will architect scalable banking and payment infrastructure, identify transformational partnership opportunities, and execute end-to-end deal cycles—from commercial structuring and negotiation through technical integration and go-live.The ideal candidate brings deep expertise in transaction banking, established institutional networks, a growth-oriented business development approach, robust risk management acumen, and exceptional cross-functional leadership capabilities. Key ResponsibilitiesStrategic Partnerships & Business DevelopmentDesign and execute the banking and FI partnership strategy across MENA, with a primary focus on the UAE marketEstablish and nurture C-level relationships with banks, financial institutions, PSPs, fintechs, and other strategic ecosystem playersOwn the full partnership lifecycle: sourcing, evaluation, commercial negotiation, due diligence, onboarding, technical integration, and ongoing performance managementBanking & Payment InfrastructureArchitect and optimize scalable banking infrastructure for collections, payouts, settlements, FX, and cross-border payment flowsDemonstrate expert-level proficiency in SWIFT messaging, domestic and international payment rails, banking APIs, and modern financial infrastructureApply deep operational knowledge of corporate accounts, client money accounts (CMA), FBO (For Benefit Of) structures, virtual accounts, virtual IBANs, pooled/omnibus account models, and correspondent banking frameworksCross-Functional ExecutionCollaborate closely with Product, Engineering, Legal, Compliance/AML, Risk, Treasury, and Operations teams to deliver partnerships and products on time and within scopeDrive internal alignment across stakeholders with competing priorities and operate with influence in a dynamic environmentChannel Strategy & Risk ManagementDevelop sophisticated channel management and volume allocation frameworks, optimizing transaction routing based on cost, capacity, regulatory risk, geography, and operational performanceConduct thorough counterparty and channel risk assessments; design and implement mitigation strategiesProvide senior leadership with actionable market intelligence, competitive insights, and channel related risk reportingMarket Intelligence & InnovationMonitor emerging trends across payments, banking-as-a-service (BaaS), embedded finance, FX, fintech innovation, stablecoins, and Web3 infrastructureIdentify whitespace opportunities for new product offerings, geographic corridors, and strategic alliancesSupport the development and deployment of stablecoin and digital asset payment infrastructure, including fiat on/off-ramp solutions and blockchain-based settlement mechanismsCandidate ProfileExperience & Background10–15 years of progressive experience in tier-1 banks or leading fintech platforms, with a focus on transaction banking, financial institutions coverage, correspondent banking, strategic partnerships, or paymentsProven track record of originating, structuring, and closing complex banking/FI partnerships that delivered measurable business impactDeep domain expertise in AML/KYC frameworks, foreign exchange operations, cross-border payments infrastructure, and modern banking technology stacksTechnical & Domain KnowledgeStrong working knowledge of payment APIs, SWIFT standards, ISO 20022, and real-time payment systemsSolid understanding of virtual account architecture, multi-currency settlement flows, and liquidity managementFamiliarity with stablecoins, blockchain rails, and digital asset infrastructure is highly advantageousNetwork & RelationshipsEstablished, senior-level banking network in the UAE; broader MENA relationships strongly preferredDemonstrated ability to open doors and build trust with C-suite executives and decision-makers at financial institutionsSkills & CompetenciesExceptional stakeholder management, negotiation, and executive communication skillsStrategic thinker with strong commercial judgment and a bias toward executionAbility to drive outcomes across cross-functional teams without formal authorityFluent in English (written and verbal); proficiency in Arabic or Mandarin is a distinct advantage