Payments SME - Banking Licence & Payments Transformation - Strike IT

Payments SME – Banking Licence & Payments Transformation Location: London (Hybrid Working) Contract: Initial 6 Months (Likely Extension) Day Rate: Competitive We are supporting a leading Wealth & Investment Management organisation as they embark on a major strategic transformation programme to establish a new banking capability and support a banking licence application. As part of this initiative, we are seeking a highly experienced Payments Subject Matter Expert to take ownership of the payments architecture, operating model, and strategic delivery roadmap. This is a senior advisory and delivery-focused role requiring someone who can operate independently, engage with executive stakeholders, challenge third-party vendors, and drive key decisions across payments, banking operations, and regulatory workstreams. Key Responsibilities Lead the design and development of the organisation's future payments strategy and operating model. Provide subject matter expertise to support banking licence and regulatory initiatives. Produce key artefacts including target-state architectures, process flows, requirements documentation, decision papers, and executive presentations. Engage with senior stakeholders across Operations, Technology, Risk, Compliance and Executive Leadership. Evaluate and challenge vendors, banking partners, and payment service providers. Support the design of scalable, resilient, and compliant payment operations. Required Experience Payments & Banking Operations Deep expertise across UK payment operations, including: Faster Payments Bacs CHAPS Client money and nominated account structures Card payment networks FX settlement and treasury-related payment flows Savings and deposit operations Banking & Regulatory Expertise Strong understanding of banking operating models and payment infrastructure. Experience supporting banking licence, digital banking, e-money or payments transformation programmes. Knowledge of PSD2 and associated regulatory requirements. Experience selecting, integrating and managing PSD2-licensed payment partners. Understanding of operational resilience requirements and how payments architecture supports regulatory compliance. European & Cross-Border Payments Experience operating across multi-entity European environments. Knowledge of correspondent banking models, intragroup arrangements and cross-border payment structures. Expertise in liquidity management, account placement strategy and reconciliation frameworks. Clearing & Banking Partner Selection Proven experience leading clearing bank selection exercises, including: Requirements gathering Market assessment and vendor shortlisting Commercial evaluation Due diligence Contract negotiations and onboarding Custody & Wealth Management Operations Understanding of custody and banking operating models. Experience with: Client money segregation Sub-custodian arrangements Banking and custody control frameworks Payment design considerations within regulated wealth management environments Technology & Platform Knowledge Strong understanding of payments architecture and banking technology ecosystems. Experience with Avaloq is highly desirable, including: Avaloq operating model and architecture Front-office, middle-tier and back-office integration Payments and banking workflow connectivity Ideal Background We are particularly interested in individuals who have delivered similar initiatives within: Wealth Management Private Banking Digital Banking Custody Services Asset & Investment Management Challenger Banks Payment Service Providers (PSPs) This role requires a hands-on SME who can combine strategic advisory capability with practical delivery experience and operate credibly at executive level while driving detailed workstreams independently.