Head of Payments and Platform

About the role

Umba, a digital‑first bank operating in Kenya and Nigeria, is building a payments and platform layer on top of its licensed core banking stack. The Head of Payments and Platform will turn the licence, technology and engineering team into a full‑fledged payments business serving fintechs, marketplaces and remittance operators.

Key responsibilities

• Define and launch the accounts‑as‑a‑service product (accounts, collections, payouts) through API, working with engineering and compliance to onboard the first partners.
• Design and manage cross‑border payment and FX settlement routes, set pricing, and oversee daily treasury positions.
• Establish remittance termination services, enabling money‑transfer operators to payout to bank accounts and M‑Pesa.
• Collaborate with the credit team to offer lending on the platform’s rails.
• Build and lead a small team including a treasury dealer, partner success manager and later a sales lead.

Required profile

• 7+ years experience in payments, fintech or financial services, preferably in East Africa.
• Hands‑on experience building or running sponsor‑bank, aggregator or PSP integrations.
• Track record of working with the Central Bank of Kenya or equivalent regulator on product approvals.
• Ability to read treasury positions, price FX, and explain fee schedules to partner CFOs.
• Strong network among Kenyan and regional fintechs, payment companies and remittance operators.

Required skills

• Payments and fintech product development
• Banking‑as‑a‑service APIs
• FX pricing and treasury management
• KYC/AML compliance and regulatory approvals
• Partner onboarding and contract negotiation