Director, Franchise MasterCard

Overview

This role serves as the Franchise Lead for both internal and external stakeholders across the North-West Africa Cluster of Mastercard s Africa Division. The role is accountable for all Franchise-related matters, including new customer onboarding, customer fraud optimization, scheme compliance, and the delivery of consultative services. The role is expected to introduce best-in-class solutions that support the North-West Africa Cluster in achieving its strategic and commercial objectives across markets. The role will dual report in the Franchise Regional VP for Customer Engagement and Performance, and the VP of Customer Onboarding and Partnerships.

Key Responsibilities

• Serve as the Franchise Lead for both internal and external stakeholders across the North-West Africa Cluster (Algeria, Benin, Burkina Faso, Cameroon, Cape Verde, Central African Republic, Chad, Congo, Cote d Ivoire (Ivory coast), Democratic Republic Congo, Equatorial Guinea, Gabon, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Libya, Mali, Mauritania, Morocco, Niger, Sao Tome and Principe, Senegal, Togo, Tunisia)
• Partner with Country Leadership and internal stakeholders to align strategies and drive execution.
• Acts as the gateway to knowledge across all Franchise verticals, payments industry knowledge, regional experience and is the Franchise expert and a valued advisor to the Business/Product teams
• Support stakeholders on matters related to payments fraud management, approval rates, chargebacks, and scheme compliance
• Lead onboarding and partnership initiatives across North-West African countries, ensuring seamless integration aligned with global standards and SLA timelines.
• Deliver Franchise revenue through tailored solutions while working in tandem with Mastercard Services team to offer expertise in Franchise related matters to customers.
• Conduct operational reviews for Customers, Payment Facilitators, and other Service Providers.
• Advise on Bin Sponsorship Programs, review Prepaid special issuer programs and Card Design reviews, and manage Mastercard Standards queries occasionally
• Identify and commercialize solutions to address customer pain points and improve ecosystem performance.
• Support compliance initiatives including GRIP, QMAP, BRAM, MCC and Data Integrity.
• Develop and deliver training materials and solution-based sessions for internal and external stakeholders.
• Maintain an understanding of the regulatory landscape and ensure compliance with Mastercard standards.
• Develop and execute regional performance strategies in collaboration with leadership.
• Represent Mastercard in industry forums and regulatory discussions in North West African markets.

All about You/Experience

Industry Experience & Regional Expertise

• 10+ years in the payments industry, with at least 7 years in operations, product management, or fraud management
• Proven experience in North West African markets preferred
• Willingness to travel across North West Africabr

Technical & Analytical Strengths

• Strong technical aptitude across payment systems, bank card operations, and Mastercard platforms
• Strong analytical, decision-making, and problem-solving capabilities
• High attention to detail with robust risk management skills
• Strategic thinker with ability to handle complex issues and understand regional implications
• Solutions-oriented and results-driven mindset

Leadership & Project Management

• Experience leading complex cross-functional projects across multiple countries
• Demonstrated success in building relationships and delivering results with global, multi-cultural, and remote teams
• Ability to successfully lead and own projects end-to-end, manage multiple priorities and initiatives while exercising sound judgment and flexibility
• Deep understanding of global best practices through experience in matrixed or global organizations
• Commercially minded decision-making aligned with Mastercard s values

Communication & Collaboration

• Excellent communication, presentation, and stakeholder management skills
• Impeccable written/oral communication and ability to translate data into compelling storytelling
• Self-motivated, able to work independently and collaboratively
• Lead with the Mastercard Way Values in creating value, growing together and moving fast

Languages

• Fluent in English French and Arabic