Our Purpose
Mastercard powers economies and empowers people in 200+ countries and territories worldwide. Together with our customers, we’re helping build a sustainable economy where everyone can prosper. We support a wide range of digital payments choices, making transactions secure, simple, smart and accessible. Our technology and innovation, partnerships and networks combine to deliver a unique set of products and services that help people, businesses and governments realize their greatest potential.
Title and Summary
Vice President, Business Development
Job Description Summary
In this Vice President role, you will lead the Mastercard Program Management Services (MPMS) European Account Management and Business Development team. The team is responsible for managing and growing existing client relationships across the Europe, expanding programme usage and securing new customers through business development.
The successful candidate will set and deliver the MPMS European growth strategy, manage the European P&L and play a key role in the MPMS global transformation programme. Alongside this strategic remit, the role operates within an end-to-end programme management business, where strong commercial outcomes depend on reliable day-to-day delivery. The VP will therefore maintain appropriate oversight of client and operational matters, supporting the team to resolve issues, manage escalations and balance immediate client priorities with longer-term growth objectives.
About Mastercard & MPMS
Mastercard is a technology company in the global payments industry. We connect consumers, financial institutions, merchants, governments and businesses worldwide, enabling secure and convenient electronic payments.
Mastercard Program Management Services (MPMS) is Mastercard’s programme management arm, setting up and managing open-loop prepaid card programmes end-to-end on behalf of clients. Leveraging the Mastercard network, MPMS delivers consumer and corporate solutions across key segments including travel, foreign currency, per diem and gift programmes for partners such as financial institutions, travel agents, retailers, bureau de change operators and airlines.
Role Overview
The MPMS Sales and Account Management team partners with existing clients across Europe to grow sales and maximise usage of live programmes, while identifying and securing new business opportunities. As a specialist commercial function within an operational business unit, the team connects client ambition with the practical realities of running complex, live card programmes.
As VP for MPMS Europe, you will act as General Manager for the business in the region, with full ownership of the European P&L. You will lead senior client engagements, shape and execute the business development strategy, and oversee a team of Account Managers, Account Directors and Business Developers. Account Managers will typically lead the handling of day-to-day client and cardholder-related issues; however, the VP must be willing to remain close enough to the detail to provide direction, unblock cross-functional challenges and step into material client escalations when required.
Success in the role requires both strategic ambition and operational competence. You will work across Finance, Marketing, Legal and Compliance, Fraud Operations, Customer Servicing, Engineering, Global Product and Customer Delivery to ensure commercial commitments are executable, live programmes perform effectively, and client issues are progressed with appropriate pace and ownership.
Key Responsibilities
-Define and own the vision, strategy and execution plan for MPMS in Europe, translating growth priorities into deliverable commercial and operational plans.
-Take full P&L ownership and drive sustainable commercial performance across the region.
-Lead, coach and develop a high-performing team of Account Managers, Account Directors and Business Developers.
-Build and strengthen senior relationships with existing clients to drive sales, programme adoption, retention and long-term value.
-Identify and secure new business opportunities, expanding MPMS’s presence in priority markets and verticals.
-Maintain appropriate oversight of live client programmes and material service issues, ensuring clear ownership, effective escalation and coordinated resolution across operational teams.
-Support the team on complex or sensitive client matters where senior intervention is needed, while reinforcing clear accountability for day-to-day account management.
-Enhance awareness of MPMS solutions across Mastercard so broader commercial teams can identify, qualify and engage relevant prospects effectively.
-Act as a senior representative for MPMS in Europe, engaging credibly with key stakeholders internally and externally.
-Provide key input into the regional and global product roadmaps, advocating for initiatives that address client needs, operational priorities and growth opportunities.
-Prioritise delivery activity for existing and new customers, making clear trade-offs to optimise client impact, commercial value, operational risk and resource allocation.
-Monitor market trends, client feedback, programme performance and competitive dynamics to inform strategy and drive continuous improvement and innovation.
About you
-Proven experience in general management, business development or sales leadership, preferably within payments, fintech, financial services or another operationally complex environment.
-Strong track record in P&L ownership, deal negotiation and disciplined commercial execution.
-Experience leading C-level discussions and managing senior client relationships, including complex or sensitive escalations.
-Strong leadership and coaching capability, with experience developing account management and business development teams.
-Ability to move comfortably between strategic direction and operational detail, applying sound judgement on when to delegate, challenge or intervene.
-Patient and pragmatic approach to progressing issues across complex, interdependent stakeholder groups, without losing pace or accountability.
-Self-starter with an entrepreneurial mindset, able to work autonomously while operating effectively within a global matrix organisation.
-Strong ability to prioritise client, commercial and delivery activity across multiple stakeholders and competing demands.
-Technical understanding and/or experience of digital products, card programmes or payments operations is advantageous.
Corporate Security Responsibility
All activities involving access to Mastercard assets, information, and networks comes with an inherent risk to the organization and, therefore, it is expected that every person working for, or on behalf of, Mastercard is responsible for information security and must:
Abide by Mastercard’s security policies and practices;
Ensure the confidentiality and integrity of the information being accessed;
Report any suspected information security violation or breach, and
Complete all periodic mandatory security trainings in accordance with Mastercard’s guidelines.
