Payments Assurance Director

Alternatively, Grant Thornton

At Grant Thornton we do things differently - looking to the future, driving ambitious growth and pioneering positive change in our industry. Providing audit, tax and advisory services, we empower clients through strategic insight, curiosity, and genuine partnership. And we empower our people with real opportunity, an inclusive culture and work life balance. A true alternative.

With over 5,000 people in the UK, and a presence in 150 global markets, we're on an ambitious journey, from great to exceptional, and we need the best people to help us achieve our potential. And with that comes the opportunity to help redefine what our industry looks like, and what you want from your career.

Job Description:

NEW GROUND WON’T BREAK ITSELF.

Every day our teams help people in businesses and communities to do what is right and achieve their goals.

We’re happy to talk flexible working and consider reduced hours and job shares, we’ll support you to balance your work and life.

A look into the role

We're looking for an experienced Director to lead our Payments Assurance and Advisory team within Grant Thornton's Banking and Financial Services practice. This is a senior client-facing role at the heart of a fast-moving regulatory and operational landscape.

You'll take ownership of a portfolio of payments-related assurance and advisory engagements — ranging from regulatory compliance reviews and scheme assurance to advisory projects on payments related transformation projects and Internal Audit reviews on payment operations. You'll lead teams, manage client relationships, and play an active part in developing the practice.

This role suits someone who combines deep technical expertise in payments with the commercial instincts and leadership presence to grow a high-impact team.

Client delivery

• Lead and oversee the delivery of payments assurance and advisory engagements, ensuring quality, timeliness, and regulatory rigour throughout.
• Act as the senior point of contact for clients, including at Board and ExCo level, across banking institutions and financial services firms.
• Direct and review work covering PSD 2 (and upcoming PSD 3 and PSR), Payment operations (including related fraud controls), Payment Card Industry Data Security Standard (PCI DSS) assessments, SWIFT Customer Security Programme (CSP) evaluations, payment scheme compliance reviews (Visa, Mastercard, Pay.UK, and others).payments-related transformation projects, including new scheme entry, open banking, faster payments, and ISO 20022 migration.
• Play a leading role in the Digital asset proposition in co-ordination with other experts within the firm

Team leadership

• Manage and develop a team of Managers, Senior Associates, and Associates — providing direction, coaching, and support through delivery.
• Set clear objectives, conduct performance reviews, and support career development within the team.
• Maintain consistent delivery standards across multiple simultaneous engagements.
• Contribute to resource planning, recruitment, and the build-out of team capability.

Practice development

• Support the firm’s leadership team in growing the Payments Assurance and Advisory practice, including identifying new opportunities and converting prospects.
• Develop proposals, credentials, and thought leadership content in response to client and market needs.
• Build and maintain relationships with scheme operators, regulators, and industry bodies relevant to the payments ecosystem.
• Stay current with regulatory developments — including FCA, PSR, PRA, Bank of England and European (PSD 3, MiCA) and other international developments (US Genius Act) — and translate these into relevant insights for clients.

Knowing you’re right for us

We’ve set ambitious growth targets for the firm, and we need the right people to help us achieve these. We’re looking for people who will bring ambition and drive to their role. In changing markets, we need to be able to work at pace and be adaptable to change and to be curious, asking questions of ourselves, each other and our clients to ensure we are delivering the services and quality we expect.

Joining us as an Payments Assurance Director, the minimum criteria you’ll need is a relevant professional qualification It would be great if you had some of the following skills, but don’t worry if you don’t tick every box, we’ll help you develop along the way.

Essential experience and knowledge

• Significant experience in payments assurance, payments risk, or a closely related field — gained in professional services, consulting, or a combination of industry and advisory roles.
• Strong working knowledge of payment schemes (e.g. Visa, Mastercard, Faster Payments, CHAPS, SWIFT) and their associated compliance and assurance frameworks.
• Hands-on experience with PCI DSS assessments (QSA-level expertise or equivalent), SWIFT CSP evaluations, or payment scheme audit and compliance reviews.
• Familiarity with the UK regulatory environment for payments, including PSR requirements, the FCA's expectations of payment service providers, and open banking obligations.
• Demonstrable track record of managing client relationships and delivering high-quality engagements.
• Experience leading, coaching, and developing teams in a professional services or delivery-focused environment.

Desirable experience and knowledge

• In-house experience at a bank, payments institution, or fintech — particularly in a payments risk, compliance, Internal Audit or operations function.
• Working knowledge of ISO 20022 messaging standards and industry migration programmes.
• Exposure to card acquiring, issuing, or payment processing infrastructure.
• Experience supporting firms through regulatory reviews or engaging with the FCA, PSR, or scheme operators directly.
• Familiarity with regulation in Digital Assets
• Understanding of fraud typologies and anti-fraud controls in a payment’s context.

Professional qualifications

• A relevant professional qualification is desirable. This may include: Qualified Security Assessor (QSA) certification, CISA, ACA/ACCA, IIA, or equivalent.

Knowing we’re right for you

The culture at Grant Thornton is what sets us apart, we’re known for our inclusive culture and creating environments where all our people can flourish. The things that set you apart, we value them, and this helps us all to perform at our best.

Our values are the unwavering principles that shape our daily behaviours and decisions, alongside our drive to do the right thing. We’re looking for people who align with our values and are purposefully driven, actively curious and candid but kind. You can learn more about our values in practice here.

It’s not just about our culture and values, in addition to a competitive salary and reward package, us you’ll also get:

• Tailored development programmes and access to coaching
• Flexible bank holidays – allowing you to celebrate the days that are important to you
• Benefits including pension, life assurance and private medical, additional holiday purchasing and health benefits
• Any benefits giving you access to shopping discounts, gym memberships, financial advice

And more. Visit our benefits section to read more.

How we work

We have a trust-based way of working, driven by responsible people who have the best interests of our firm and our clients at heart. Our how we work framework gives flexibility in where, how, and when we work to deliver the best results for our clients, whilst helping you keep a balance between work and life. Life is more than work, the things you do, and the people you’re with outside of work matter, that’s why we’re happy to look at flexible working options for all our roles.  That is how it should be.

We’re looking for people who can help drive the business forward, who want to contribute, spark fresh ideas and go beyond expectations. People who want to be able to proudly do what’s right, for the firm, our clients, our people and themselves. It’s how it should be.