Payments Manager (Middle East)

We are looking for a high-impact Payments Manager for the Middle East to serve as the primary architect of our growth across the GCC. This is a hybrid role for a strategic "entrepreneur-in-residence" who can navigate the complex regulatory landscapes of the market while simultaneously hunting for high-value partnerships. You will bridge the gap between local market demands and our product roadmap, and ensure PGWay remains the most reliable gateway for businesses entering the Middle East.

Responsibilities

• Define and execute the go-to-market strategy for GCC countries, identifying high-growth verticals and localized payment trends
• Build and maintain deep-level relationships with local acquirers, PSPs, and alternative payment methods
• Source, negotiate, and close enterprise-level deals with merchants and platforms looking to optimize their regional payment flow
• Monitor payment performance (approval rates, latency, and costs) across the region, identifying "what works and what doesn’t" to optimize routing
• Act as the local subject matter expert on regional regulations to ensure full alignment with licensing and compliance standards
• Translate regional market gaps into actionable product requirements for the internal engineering and product teams

Requirements

• Minimum 5+ years of experience in the Payments/Fintech industry specifically within the GCC market
• Deep technical and commercial understanding of the Middle Eastern payment landscape, including local acquiring, 3DS protocols, and regional settlement nuances
• An existing "Rolodex" of contacts within regional banks, payment schemes, and large-scale merchants
• Proven track record of taking a territory from "zero to one" or significantly scaling GMV through direct BD efforts
• Ability to dissect payment data to find optimization opportunities and communicate those findings clearly to stakeholders
• Native or professional-grade fluency in English (Arabic is a significant advantage)
• You are comfortable with the pace of a high-growth fintech and prefer "doing" over "delegating"

Benefits

• Competitive salary package
• UAE residency visa
• Comprehensive health insurance
• Co-paid meals/snacks are provided in the office.
• Co-paid wellness activities, e.g. padel, tennis, and gym subscription
• Birthday gifts, regular team-building events, and a high-growth environment where you can truly shape the office culture from day one.