Director, Product Management (Network Strategy) at Mastercard

Job Description Summary
Overview:

• Cross-Border Payments Product Manager with over 8 years of experience in wire transfers, global payment gateways/platforms, ACH schemes, and real-time payments (RTP). Strong expertise in correspondent banking standards, including ISO 20022 messages (pacs.008, pacs.009), with practical experience in legacy MT formats, as well as deep knowledge of commercial frameworks and settlement processes.
• In this role, the Product Manager (network strategy) defines distribution network strategy and designs services and solutions aligned with market needs and corporate objectives, ensuring that the pay-out network delivers high-quality, compliant payment services. The role also provides product expertise to drive sales and revenue growth by supporting expansion of the network footprint by bi-directional integrations into real time payment systems and schemes.
• This position partners with cross-functional teams to draft business requirements, guide product development, and complete readiness activities required to commercialize new features and functionalities within Mastercard Cross-Border Services.

Role

• Serve as Subject Matter Expert (SME) for cross-border payments, including wire transfers, real-time payments (RTP), and correspondent banking standards (ISO 20022 messages such as pacs.008 and pacs.009), providing training and guidance to internal stakeholders and regional partners.
• Define and manage product and distribution network roadmaps using tools such as Aha, prioritizing initiatives, tracking progress, and ensuring alignment with business objectives and regulatory requirements.
• Partner with Product Owners, Software Engineering, and Compliance teams to gather, elaborate, and document business requirements, ensuring solutions meet product needs, ISO 20022/SWIFT standards, and local regulatory frameworks.
• Lead ideation and design sessions with customers, sales, and technical teams to address market opportunities and reduce pain points, translating concepts into detailed requirements, user stories, and acceptance criteria.
• Define and prioritize product features and enhancements based on client feedback, commercial considerations, and competitive insights, balancing speed, cost, and quality.
• Collaborate across sales, marketing, engineering, operations, and regional teams to align priorities, accelerate execution, and drive commercialization of new features and corridors.
• Research and evaluate emerging schemes, alternative payment methods, and industry trends, embedding insights into strategy and product development.
• Provide expertise on domestic banking systems, settlement processes, liquidity workflows, and compliance obligations in key target markets.
• Coordinate research and development of payout and RTP technologies in collaboration with Network Partnership, Operations, Technology, and PMO teams.
• Monitor network and partner performance through transaction data, identifying risks, inefficiencies, and improvement opportunities, while ensuring end-to-end payment integrity.
• Define and implement receive strategies, qualifying opportunities based on market demand, regulatory clarity, and service quality.
• Engage with industry bodies and regulatory forums to anticipate changes in global payments, influencing product design and positioning

All About You
The ideal candidate for this position should:

• Understanding of new payment messaging protocols, specifically as it relates to cross border instant payment schemes
• Deep knowledge of payment and clearing systems as they relate to both domestic and cross border payments
• Understanding of current payment trends and developments, both from a flow and technological perspective
• Understanding different client segment needs such as Banks, Financial Institutions, Payment Service Providers and Corporates
• Proven track record in product management, with experience in the payments industry or related sectors.
• Strong analytical skills, with the ability to interpret market data and customer insights to drive product decisions.
• Excellent communication and collaboration skills, with the ability to work effectively with cross-functional teams.
• Strategic mindset with a focus on innovation, customer value, and business growth.
• Experience with agile development methodologies and product management tools.
• Knowledge of regulatory requirements and compliance standards in the payments industry is desirable.
• Excellent problem-solving, critical thinking and analytical skills, and ability to think strategically and translate concepts into clear, actionable strategies and tactics;
• Strong self-motivation and organizational skills;
• Ability to build and maintain strong, productive, collaborative working relationships with internal stakeholders over cross-functional teams from multiple countries.