Role Overview for Chief Technology Officer with a Global Payments Processor – London, UK
JRG Partners is proud to partner with a premier global payments processor in their search for a transformative Chief Technology Officer (CTO). Based in their strategic hub in London, this executive leadership role is a rare opportunity to shape the future of financial technology on a global scale. Our client is a dominant force in the payments industry, processing billions of transactions annually and providing innovative solutions to merchants, financial institutions, and consumers worldwide. They are at a pivotal point in their growth trajectory, investing heavily in technology to maintain their competitive edge, enhance security, and deliver unparalleled user experiences.
The incoming CTO will be the driving force behind the company’s entire technology vision, strategy, and execution. This is not merely an operational role; it is a strategic position at the heart of the executive team, reporting directly to the Chief Executive Officer (CEO). You will be responsible for leading a large, international team of talented engineers, architects, and data scientists, fostering a culture of innovation, collaboration, and continuous improvement.
Your leadership will be critical in steering the company through the complexities of the digital payments landscape, from navigating regulatory changes to harnessing the power of emerging technologies like artificial intelligence, machine learning, and blockchain. You will own the technology roadmap, ensuring that it is perfectly aligned with the company’s ambitious business objectives, driving scalability, reliability, and world-class security across all platforms and services. This role demands a leader who is both a technical visionary and a pragmatic business partner, capable of translating complex technological concepts into tangible business value and inspiring teams to build the next generation of payment solutions.
Key Responsibilities of Chief Technology Officer with a Global Payments Processor – London, UK
Strategic Technology Leadership
Develop and execute a comprehensive, long-term technology vision and strategy that aligns with and drives the company’s overall business goals. Champion innovation and act as the primary technology evangelist both internally and externally.
Team Leadership and Development
Lead, mentor, and scale a high-performing, globally distributed technology organization. Foster a culture of excellence, accountability, and psychological safety. Attract, retain, and develop top-tier engineering talent.
Architectural Oversight
Oversee the design and evolution of the company’s technology architecture, ensuring it is scalable, resilient, secure, and capable of supporting rapid growth and high-volume transaction processing. Make critical decisions regarding technology stacks, platforms, and infrastructure.
Product Delivery and Execution
Drive the end-to-end software development lifecycle (SDLC), implementing agile methodologies and DevOps best practices to ensure the timely and high-quality delivery of new products, features, and platform enhancements.
Security and Compliance
Uphold the highest standards of data security and regulatory compliance. Ensure all systems and processes adhere to industry mandates such as PCI DSS, GDPR, and other relevant financial regulations across multiple jurisdictions. Develop and maintain a robust cybersecurity strategy to protect against evolving threats.
Infrastructure and Operations
Manage the company’s cloud-based infrastructure, ensuring optimal performance, reliability, and cost-efficiency. Oversee site reliability engineering (SRE) and IT operations to guarantee 99.99%+ uptime for all critical services.
Financial Management
Develop and manage the annual technology budget, including capital expenditures and operating expenses. Drive cost optimization initiatives and provide clear ROI analysis for all major technology investments.
Stakeholder Collaboration
Serve as a key member of the executive leadership team, collaborating closely with the CEO, CPO, CFO, and other leaders to shape company strategy. Effectively communicate technology strategy, risks, and opportunities to the Board of Directors and other key stakeholders.
Innovation and R&D
Stay at the forefront of technological advancements in the FinTech and payments space. Evaluate and pilot emerging technologies to identify opportunities for innovation, competitive differentiation, and operational efficiency.
Requirements for the Chief Technology Officer with a Global Payments Processor – London, UK
Executive Experience
A minimum of 15 years of experience in technology leadership, with at least 5 years in a senior executive role (e.g., CTO, VP of Engineering) for a large-scale technology-driven organization.
Industry Expertise
Deep, demonstrable experience within the payments, FinTech, or financial services industry is essential. A thorough understanding of payment gateways, transaction processing, acquiring, issuing, and the broader financial ecosystem is required.
Technical Acumen
Proven expertise in designing and managing complex, distributed, high-availability systems. Strong knowledge of modern software architecture patterns (microservices, event-driven), cloud platforms (AWS, Azure, or GCP), data engineering, and cybersecurity principles.
Leadership and Management
A proven track record of building, leading, and mentoring large (100+) globally distributed engineering teams. Must be an inspirational leader with exceptional communication, interpersonal, and motivational skills.
Strategic Mindset
The ability to think strategically and translate business needs into a clear, actionable technology roadmap. Experience in M&A, including technology due diligence and post-merger integration, is highly desirable.
Business Acumen
Strong financial literacy with experience managing significant technology budgets and a proven ability to link technology investments to business outcomes.
Educational Background
A Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Computer Science, Engineering, or a related technical field is required. An MBA or other advanced degree is a significant plus.
Location
Ability to work from the London office on a hybrid basis, with a willingness to travel internationally as required.
Benefits & Perks Offered
Executive Compensation
A highly competitive base salary, annual performance-based bonus, and a significant long-term incentive plan (equity/stock options).
Comprehensive Health & Wellness
Premium private medical, dental, and vision insurance for you and your family. Access to mental health resources, wellness programs, and a gym membership subsidy.
Retirement Planning
A generous company-matched pension scheme to help you plan for your future.
Work-Life Balance
A flexible, hybrid working model that respects your need for balance, coupled with a generous holiday allowance.
Professional Development
A substantial budget for conferences, certifications, executive coaching, and continued learning to ensure you remain at the cutting edge of technology leadership.
Relocation Support
A comprehensive relocation package is available for exceptional candidates who are not based in the London area.
Other Perks
Life and disability insurance, company-sponsored social events, and access to a network of industry leaders.
How to Apply
This is a retained search managed exclusively by JRG Partners. To be considered for this pivotal Chief Technology Officer role, please submit your curriculum vitae and a cover letter outlining your suitability for the position. We are committed to fostering a diverse and inclusive talent pool and encourage applications from all qualified individuals.
For a confidential discussion or to submit your application, please connect with our team through the JRG Partners’ Technology Officer practice area. We look forward to reviewing your application and exploring this exceptional opportunity with you.
