Our client a Global Payments Firm is currently carrying out a project for a leading financial services player in UAE. To support with this, our client is looking to onboard a Cards Product Manager (Commercial Cards) to join their team. 

A leading Bank in the UAE is seeking an experienced Product Manager to design, launch and scale a new SME prepaid card and wallet proposition within its digital financial services division. The consultant will manage the full product lifecycle - from defining the customer value proposition (CVP) and completing scheme onboarding, through to launch execution, commercialisation and continuous optimisation.

This role requires close coordination with internal stakeholders and external scheme partners to ensure a compliant, competitive and market ready proposition for micro and small business customers across the UAE.

Ideal talent will have significant experience in cards, prepaid or digital payments, with a strong background in SME or Business Banking and proven delivery experience within the UAE/GCC market.

Key Activities

• Own the end-to-end lifecycle of the SME prepaid card/wallet proposition, including CVP design, BIN set up, scheme onboarding, configuration, testing, launch and post launch optimisation.
• Translate the agreed CVP into clear business requirements, product features, pricing structures and servicing models tailored to micro and small business segments.
• Coordinate delivery dependencies across technology, operations, risk, finance, marketing and external partners to ensure a timely and compliant launch.
• Ensure alignment with scheme pricing, regulations and mandates, supporting all certification and compliance activities.
• Develop SME acquisition strategies across business banking channels, digital acquisition routes and partner networks to drive high quality sign-ups.
• Design onboarding and first 90 days customer journeys to maximise activation, first load and early spend.
• Monitor portfolio KPIs (load, spend, active rate, revenue per active, churn, fraud) and recommend targeted commercial or experience improvements.
• Work with finance and business teams to optimise P&L lines including interchange, fees, scheme costs and funding expenses.
• Maintain and evolve a feature roadmap informed by customer insight, competitive intelligence and performance analytics.
• Identify opportunities for segment specific variants (e.g., freelancers, micro retailers, small service businesses).
• Serve as the primary contact for SME/Business Banking teams, delivering product training, sales toolkits and internal communications.
• Produce monthly dashboards and insight packs for senior stakeholders, including scheme partners.
• Support governance routines by tracking milestones, risks, issues and progress.

KPIs

• Monthly and quarterly acquisition of new SME prepaid customers.
• Activation rate within the first 30 days.
• Average load and spend per active account.
• Portfolio revenue growth (interchange, fees, FX, etc.).
• Time to market for new features and enhancements.
• Campaign conversion and ROI.
• Customer satisfaction/NPS for SME prepaid users.
• Operational SLA adherence in onboarding and servicing.
• Fraud and chargeback rates as a share of transactions.

Your Background

Essential

• 8–10 years of product management experience in cards, prepaid or digital payments, including full lifecycle ownership from ideation to optimisation.
• At least 5 years’ experience in SME or Business Banking within the UAE/GCC.
• Deep understanding of card issuing settlement, scheme pricing, operational processes and compliance requirements.
• Strong experience in onboarding, activation and spend stimulation strategies.
• High proficiency in analytics (Excel, dashboards; SQL advantageous).
• Proven ability to coordinate cross functional teams and external partners.
• Excellent communication, presentation and stakeholder management skills.
• Immediate availability and professional competence in English.

Desirable

• Experience with micro lending, micro business propositions or BNPL style SME solutions.
• Familiarity with card platforms such as TSYS Prime and digital onboarding systems.
• Exposure to scheme tools and mandates.
• Arabic language ability.

This is a 12-month contractual (with possibility of extension) role based in Dubai, UAE.