Partnership Manager - Merchant Partnerships & Loyalty

PayTech Group

Core Responsibilities and Accountabilities:

• Identify, negotiate, and onboard new merchant partners across diverse sectors, ensuring alignment with the banks strategic objectives and customer needs
• Build and maintain strong, long-term relationships with existing merchant partners, acting as the primary point of contact and ensuring high levels of satisfaction and collaboration
• Design, implement, and optimize loyalty programs and offers, leveraging merchant partnerships to create compelling value propositions for cardholders
• Conduct market research to identify emerging trends, competitive offerings, and new partnership opportunities within the UAE and broader GCC region
• Track and analyse the effectiveness of merchant partnerships and loyalty initiatives, using data driven insights to refine strategies and maximize impact
• Work closely with product, marketing, risk, and compliance teams to ensure seamless execution of partnership and loyalty initiatives
• Lead negotiations with merchants to secure favourable terms, ensuring compliance with regulatory requirements and alignment with bank policies
• Continuously seek opportunities to enrich the cardholder experience through exclusive offers, rewards, and merchant-driven benefits

Knowledge and Experience:

• Bachelors degree in Business Administration, Marketing, Finance, or related field; MBA is a plus
• Minimum 5 years of experience in partnership management, merchant acquisition, or loyalty program management within banking, payments, or fintech sectors
• Deep understanding of the UAE retail, hospitality, and e-commerce landscapes
• Proven track record of negotiating and managing high-value partnerships
• Excellent communication, presentation, and interpersonal skills
• Strong analytical skills and proficiency in data-driven decision making

Mandatory Skills:

• Previous experience within Banking, Payment & Card solutions or the FinTech industry
• Able to analyse complex information, anticipate risks and opportunities, and make decisions that balance long-term strategy with commercial outcomes
• Adept at fostering strong, trust-based relationships across all levels. Skilled in understanding stakeholder needs, managing expectations, and navigating diverse perspectives to drive collaboration and shared outcomes
• Able to negotiate effectively, gain buy-in from stakeholders, and drive agreement even in complex or high-pressure situations

Preferred Skills:

• Project management and the ability to multitask
• Fluency in English required; Arabic language skills preferred
• Cultural awareness and adaptability