Head of Partnerships, SME Coverage & Merchant Acquiring

Raqami Islamic Digital Bank Ltd. · Karachi, Karachi District; Sindh, Pakistan

Job Title: Head of Partnerships, SME Coverage & Merchant Acquiring

Department: SME & Business Banking

Job Overview

We are seeking a strategic business banking leader to drive the Bank’s partnership-led SME acquisition, merchant acquiring, and digital business solutions agenda. The role is responsible for building scalable ecosystems and anchor relationships, expanding SME reach, growing merchant acceptance, and delivering Shariah-compliant digital business propositions that increase active customers, transaction volumes, deposits, and fee income while maintaining strong commercial, operational, and regulatory controls.

Key Responsibilities

• Define and execute the integrated strategy, annual plan, and operating model for partnerships, SME coverage, merchant acquiring, and digital business solutions.
• Build and manage anchor, institutional, ecosystem, and strategic partnerships to drive SME acquisition and business banking opportunities.
• Lead Senior Relationship Managers and Relationship Managers across institutional banking, payroll, transaction banking, and business banking portfolios.
• Own digital SME acquisition strategy, including channel development, funnel management, and conversion optimization.
• Lead merchant acquiring strategy across QR, POS, and other approved acceptance channels.
• Oversee merchant onboarding, business verification, settlement coordination, and operational readiness.
• Sponsor the SME Digital Banking App and related digital business solutions.
• Develop integrated propositions linking business accounts, payroll, collections, merchant acceptance, digital banking, and SME financing.
• Manage partner selection, commercial negotiations, budgets, forecasts, and performance dashboards.
• Ensure compliance with SBP requirements, AML/CFT regulations, merchant due diligence, customer protection requirements, and Shariah governance standards.
• Build and develop a high-performing team across partnerships, merchant acquiring, digital acquisition, and business banking.

Experience Required

• Minimum 15 years of progressive experience across SME banking, business banking, partnerships, merchant acquiring, payments, relationship management, fintech, or digital business solutions.
• At least 7 years in senior leadership roles with accountability for business growth, partnerships, budgets, product delivery, and commercial outcomes.
• Demonstrated success in building ecosystem-led acquisition models, scaling SME coverage, growing merchant acceptance, and delivering digital propositions.
• Strong understanding of Pakistan’s banking and payments landscape, AML/CFT requirements, merchant risk management, and Islamic banking principles.

Educational Background Required

• Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration, Finance, Marketing, Economics, Information Systems, or a related discipline.
• MBA, Master’s degree, or relevant professional qualification in banking, payments, digital business, or management preferred.

Skills & Competencies

• Partnerships & Ecosystem Strategy
• SME Coverage & Relationship Management
• Digital SME Acquisition & Conversion Optimization
• Merchant Acquiring, QR & POS Solutions
• Digital Business Solutions & Product Roadmaps
• Commercial Negotiation & Partner Management
• Merchant Onboarding, Verification & Settlement Governance
• Budgeting, Analytics & Performance Management
• Fraud, Operational Risk & Regulatory Governance
• Shariah Governance & Compliance

Raqami Bank is an equal opportunity employer. We welcome applications from all qualified individuals, including Persons with Disabilities (PWDs), and are committed to fostering an inclusive workplace where everyone has the opportunity to succeed.

Last date to apply: October 26, 2026.