Manager Group Card Compliance

Role Overview

This role ensures that all card payment operations—in Kenya and across the bank’s subsidiaries—stay fully aligned with evolving Visa, Mastercard, and UPI scheme rules. Day-to-day work involves leading compliance investigations, coordinating with global scheme teams during audits, and proactively managing costs to avoid non‑compliance penalties. The position is critical because it protects the bank’s card‑issuing and acquiring businesses from regulatory fines and reputational damage while embedding secure, compliant processes into every new card initiative.

Key Responsibilities

• Oversee the operational rollout of new and updated scheme mandates across KCB Kenya, all subsidiaries, and any emerging card markets where the bank expands.
• Lead internal investigations when suspected non‑compliance with card scheme rules is identified, and drive the restoration of full compliance.
• Serve as the bank’s primary point of contact for Visa, Mastercard, and UPI compliance teams, providing timely updates during scheme‑led investigations and responding to formal inquiries.
• Manage costs related to scheme compliance by reviewing invoices, challenging improper charges, and advising business teams on practices that reduce penalty exposure.
• Represent the bank in regular operational risk and compliance review meetings with scheme representatives, reporting on the bank’s compliance posture and any emerging risks.
• Champion projects and system changes needed to embed updated scheme rules, including the ongoing application of Payment Card Industry Data Security Standards (PCIDSS) across card systems.
• Track and oversee closure of audit findings related to card compliance, coordinating remediation with affected business units.
• Liaise with card business teams to validate that contracted Payment Service Providers (PSPs) adhere to all applicable scheme requirements, and ensure compliance is documented and assured.
• Standardise card compliance processes across the group, reviewing new or changed card mandates at the Pre‑CAB stage to confirm compliance readiness.
• Review and ensure the accuracy of periodic card scheme MIS reporting, and continuously operationalise new reporting standards introduced by the schemes.

Requirements & Qualifications

• Education: Bachelor’s degree in a relevant field required. A master’s degree in a business‑related discipline is an added advantage.
• Professional certifications: Risk or compliance certification (e.g., CRMP, CAMS, or equivalent). AML/CFT certification. Familiarity with Visa and Mastercard scheme rules is mandatory.
• Total experience: At least 5 years of professional experience.
• Domain experience: Minimum 3 years in card scheme regulatory compliance, 3 years in risk management, 3 years in card operations, and at least 2 years each in AML/CFT & KYC compliance and stakeholder management.
• Key skills: In‑depth knowledge of card scheme rulebooks (Visa, Mastercard, UPI). Proven ability to lead compliance investigations and cost‑containment initiatives. Experience embedding PCIDSS requirements and managing audit closure. Strong communication skills for liaising with scheme representatives and internal business units.

What We Offer / Why Join

This information was not provided in the original posting. The role itself offers high visibility across card operations, scheme relationships, and risk functions—positioning the successful candidate as a key guardian of the bank’s payment compliance framework.