Manager, Payments

About Accion:

Accion is a global nonprofit committed to creating a financially inclusive world, with a pioneering legacy in microfinance and fintech impact investing. We catalyze financial service providers to deliver high-quality, affordable solutions at scale for the three billion people who are left out of — or poorly served by — the financial sector. For nearly 60 years, Accion has helped tens of millions of people through our work with more than 160 partners in 55 countries. More at http://www.accion.org.

Position Summary

The Accion Global Advisory Solutions team is seeking a Manager, Payments for the Northern Triangle (NT) countries of Guatemala, Honduras, and El Salvador to lead strategic projects in the region as part of our work with the Partnership for Central America (PCA). PCA is a multi-national coalition of private organizations in collaboration with governments, non-profit groups, and private philanthropy to mobilize and coordinate private investments to help ensure those investments have a measurable and sustained impact on the people of Northern Central America for a better life in their homeland.

The candidate should be passionate about re-imagining the delivery of financial products to underserved customers in the region, working closely with Small Holder Farmers, micro merchants, and gig workers. The successful candidate will take the lead in the conceptualization, design, and consequent implementation of innovative, scalable and fit-for-purpose financial products that respond to customer needs, such as payment solutions, digital wallets, e-commerce platforms, credit, and savings solutions, that meet the needs of the strategic segments in the region.

The person in this role will be the focal point for the delivery of the projects, leading multi-disciplinary teams commanding the project through implementation. The Manager, Payments has a deep understanding of customer financial services needs and how technologies and other factors influence their perspectives, experience and decision making.

The person in this position can be based in Guatemala, El Salvador, Honduras, or Costa Rica; Guatemala, preferred.

Position Responsibilities

• Develop scopes of work and budgets for select client engagement projects, as well as implementation strategies.
• Lead relationships with senior managers of FSPs partners, FSP project teams, and donors.
• Ensure the timely completion of project deliverables per contract meeting timelines, budget, and clients’ expectations.
• Communicate project progress, keeping team members and key stakeholders updated throughout all stages.
• Act as Subject Matter Expert in the payments space for the NT region, providing guidance on the definition of operating models, business models design and high-level architecture design (with support from technology) to design fit for purpose solutions.
• Implement and/or create new digital content for the online platform based on partners’ and end customers’ needs.
• Oversee and guide the work of others on assigned projects; may lead field work and manage counterpart relationships.
• Resolve or facilitate resolution of complex problems; think critically and suggest improvements.
• Senior technical individual contributor may supervise or coordinate efforts of other employees or contractors.
• May manage a team and/or consultants.
• Support product development by being involved in the design and implementation of client insights work.

Position Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Economics, Finance, or related field or equivalent work experience in lieu of a degree.
• 10+ years of relevant experience through a combination of consulting/advisory services with working exposure to financial services, strategy, and hands-on operating experience.
• Experience working in the payments industry or related business and technology innovation.
• Experience working with e-commerce or digital platforms with B2B or B2C models preferred.
• Experience managing partnerships in the agricultural, logistic ecosystems in the region also preferred.
• Bill-pay transformation/innovation experience, ideally spanning consumer and B2B client segments.
• Experience delivering emerging payments solutions in business, technology, or operations role.
• Knowledge of current industry trends.
• Project management experience.
• Strong analytical skills.
• Excellent communication and people skills, especially in multi-cultural environments.
• Strong ability to identify priorities and respond appropriately.
• Demonstrated interest in our mission and in working globally.
• English and Spanish fluency required.

Travel Requirements

This position requires up to 30% domestic and international travel.