VCA Consulting Director, Acquiring Advisory

About the Role The Consulting Director will lead the growth of the Acquiring Advisory practice across CEMEA, focusing on strategy and delivery of offerings under the EMF umbrella. This role requires expertise in the Acquiring business, with an understanding of the evolving environment for payment service providers. The Director will work closely with the company's global consulting practices, particularly Value-Added Services, to enhance the company's position as a leading advisor in this sector. The successful candidate will be accountable for demonstrating growth in client businesses and assisting them in developing strategies for future success. Principal Responsibilities/Key Result Areas - Own and drive the Acquiring Advisory practice forward as its senior subject matter expert. - Review, expand, and grow the areas where the company can support acquirers, processors, and PayFacs to optimize and grow their businesses. - Utilize the company's and external data to analyze client needs across the region's markets and identify opportunities for Acquiring Advisory consulting assignments. - Collaborate with regional VCA teams, Country Managers, Products, and Account Executives to operate cohesively as One Company. - Partner with Value-Added Services (VAS), especially Acceptance Solutions, to shape joint propositions and generate pipeline for VAS products. - Develop Acquiring Advisory project pitches and secure new consulting assignments, as well as relevant re-engagement opportunities through a consultative sales approach. - Deliver consulting projects, resolve complex strategic problems, synthesize and manage complex project structures, and ensure seamless consulting experiences for clients. - Design and project manage the implementation of recommendations on-site or virtually. - Mentor colleagues across the organization who are developing Acquiring expertise. - Design, update, and deliver the portfolio of Acquiring training for clients and internal audiences. - Champion the use of AI across the Acquiring Advisory practice, embedding AI tools into deliverables and ensuring the team's AI fluency keeps pace with industry advancements. - Collaborate with global Acquiring and other practices by sharing experiences, contributing to standardized offerings, and leveraging global consulting solutions. - Codify best practices into reusable assets, maintaining relevant information on trends and case studies. The company requires at least 3 days in the office each week, with specific expectations discussed by your Hiring Manager. Qualifications Basic Qualifications: - Bachelor's degree or equivalent; Master's degree preferred. - At least 10 years of overall experience, with over 5 years as a consultant in a top-tier management consulting firm, particularly with expertise in Banking and Acquiring. - Deep, first-hand expertise in payments acquiring, including merchant solutions, processing, value proposition design, product development, and launch. - Experience in payment acquirers, processors, payment facilitators, or card schemes is a strong plus, with a mix of regional and global experience preferred. - Strong facilitation and training delivery skills. - Advanced client engagement and presentation skills, with the ability to interact with and present to senior management. - Full AI fluency and a genuine passion for AI, including hands-on experience with leading AI tools. - Highly analytical, with advanced PowerPoint and Excel skills. - Superior project management skills with fluent communication abilities. - Financial acumen and commercial awareness. - Results-driven, flexible, and customer-focused. - Must be open to frequent travel and capable of working in multi-cultural environments across CEMEA. - Self-motivated, able to use initiative with limited direction. - Strong teamwork and collaboration skills with the ability to work effectively in interdisciplinary groups. - Proficiency in Russian is a plus. The company is an EEO Employer. Qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, sexual orientation, gender identity, disability, or protected veteran status.