ThriveCart - Chief Operating Officer - Payments
Upload My Resume
Drop here or click to browse · Tap to choose · PDF, DOCX, DOC, RTF, TXT
Requirements
• Proven track record of successfully scaling operations in payments, fintech, or payments-adjacent SaaS businesses • Deep understanding of payments ecosystems including acquiring, processing, chargebacks, fraud, and merchant services • Demonstrated expertise in cost optimisation and financial management with measurable results, including payments processing cost management • Strong project management skills with experience overseeing complex, cross-functional and compliance-sensitive initiatives • Deep understanding of product development processes within regulated or technically complex environments • Familiarity with PCI-DSS, payments compliance frameworks, and financial services regulatory requirements • Exceptional analytical and problem-solving abilities with a data-driven mindset and fluency in fintech metrics • Outstanding communication and interpersonal skills with the ability to influence at all levels, including external payment partners and regulators • Hands-on experience using AI tools day-to-day to improve productivity, decision-making, and operational output — not just awareness, but active and proficient use • Demonstrated ability to design, build, and implement AI agents that automate repeatable business processes across operational, financial, and cross-functional workflows • Proven experience identifying automation opportunities across teams and deploying solutions that measurably reduce manual effort, increase throughput, and improve consistency • Comfortable working with AI-powered workflow tools such as n8n, Make, Zapier, or similar platforms to connect systems and eliminate operational friction • 10+ years of progressive operational leadership experience, with at least 5 years in a senior executive role within payments or fintech • Direct experience working with payment processors, card networks, acquiring banks, or merchant services providers • Bachelor's degree in Business, Engineering, Finance, or related field; MBA or advanced degree preferred • Demonstrated track record of business transformation and change management in regulated or compliance-heavy environments • Experience managing remote or distributed teams across multiple time zones • Strong technical acumen with the ability to engage credibly with engineering teams on payments infrastructure, platform architecture, and AI-driven automation • Proven experience leading or contributing to AI adoption initiatives at an operational level, including the rollout of agent-based workflows across business functions • Previous experience supporting a CEO or founder in a COO or similar executive capacity within a fintech or payments business
Responsibilities
• Serve as the right hand to the CEO, providing strategic counsel grounded in payments and fintech market dynamics • Translate company vision and strategy into actionable operational plans, with particular focus on checkout optimisation, payments infrastructure, and merchant growth • Act as a sounding board for strategic decisions, bringing informed perspective on fintech trends, competitive positioning, and regulatory developments • Lead key meetings and represent the CEO in operational and partner discussions, including with payment processors, acquiring banks, and fintech partners • Operational Excellence • Oversee day-to-day operations across all departments, ensuring alignment with company objectives and the demands of a payments-first business • Develop and implement operational processes and systems that reflect the compliance, security, and reliability standards expected in fintech environments • Establish and monitor KPIs across operational health, payments performance, chargeback rates, merchant satisfaction, and platform uptime • Identify bottlenecks and inefficiencies across the merchant lifecycle and implement solutions to optimise workflow and resource utilisation • Financial Management & Cost Optimisation • Lead company-wide cost reduction initiatives while maintaining the quality and resilience standards critical in payments infrastructure • Conduct regular analysis of operating expenses, payment processing costs, vendor contracts, and resource allocation to identify savings opportunities • Develop and manage operational budgets across departments with a strong understanding of the unit economics of a payments and SaaS business • Negotiate with payment processors, technology vendors, and service providers to secure favourable terms and pricing • Implement data-driven decision making to maximise ROI on operational investments, with fluency in payments-specific metrics such as processing margins, interchange, and dispute rates • Project & Programme Management • Oversee and coordinate strategic projects across the organisation, including payment method expansions, compliance programmes, and platform integrations • Establish project management frameworks and governance structures appropriate for a regulated, payments environment • Set clear milestones, timelines, and success metrics for company initiatives • Monitor project progress, identify risks — including regulatory and compliance risks — and implement corrective actions to ensure on-time, on-budget delivery • Product & Technology Roadmap • Partner with product and engineering teams to oversee the product development roadmap with particular emphasis on checkout optimisation, payment flows, and merchant tooling • Ensure roadmap alignment with business strategy, merchant needs, payment network requirements, and evolving regulatory obligationsBalance competing priorities and resource constraints to optimise delivery schedules in a technically complex, compliance-sensitive environment • Drive continuous improvement in development processes, with a focus on reliability, security, and conversion performance • People & Culture • Build, lead, and mentor high-performing teams across operational functions • Foster a culture of accountability, continuous improvement, and operational excellence consistent with fintech standards • Develop talent within the organisation through coaching, training, and professional development • Facilitate effective communication and collaboration across departments, particularly between technical, compliance, and commercial functions • Support business development activities, payment partnerships, and strategic growth opportunities including new market entry and payment method expansion • Ensure compliance with relevant payments regulations, PCI-DSS standards, card network rules, and applicable financial services requirements • Represent the company at industry events, fintech conferences, and partner meetings • Lead special projects as assigned by the CEO
No credit card. Takes 10 seconds.