Merchant Underwriting Team Lead

About Unlimit
Unlimit is the global fintech powerhouse behind the world's largest proprietary payments infrastructure.

Founded in 2009, Unlimit operates across 17 global offices with 700+ experts, seamlessly integrating 1,000+ payment methods into a single platform. From London to São Paulo, we empower businesses to scale across borders with a unified suite of financial tools — including payment processing, alternative payment methods, multicurrency business accounts, card issuing, banking-as-a-service, and crypto on- and off-ramps.

Our mission is to break down financial barriers and enable seamless money movement across borders. We give forward-thinking businesses the tools to accept, send, and manage payments effortlessly, wherever they operate.

About The Role
We are looking for an experienced High-Risk Merchant Underwriting Lead to drive and mature our high-risk underwriting function across acquiring and PayFac models. The role focuses on establishing robust underwriting practices for complex merchant profiles, ensuring alignment with card scheme expectations, regulatory requirements, and internal risk standards, while supporting sustainable business development.

Experience
3+ years of hands-on experience in merchant underwriting, with a strong focus on high-risk merchant portfolios

Prior experience in a senior or lead underwriting role within an acquirer, PayFac, PSP, or similar payment institution

Strong understanding of high-risk business models and associated risk driversIn-depth understanding of regulatory and card schema requirements relevant to high-risk merchant onboarding and monitoring across multiple jurisdictions

Demonstrated professional competence in underwriting, supported by relevant certifications or equivalent practical experience

Soft Skills & Leadership

Strong partnership mindset with the ability to support complex merchant onboarding initiatives within defined risk boundaries and business goals

Ability to build effective cross-functional collaboration with internal and external stakeholders

Proactive, structured, and ownership-driven work approach

Responsibilities
Develop, implement, and maintain high-risk merchant underwriting frameworks

Ensure consistent delivery of comprehensive risk assessments across the high-risk merchant portfolio

Lead and communicate due diligence outcomes, providing well-supported recommendations on merchant business model and risk mitigation approaches

Build, mentor, and manage the high-risk underwriting team

Conduct post-onboarding and periodic reviews to confirm that identified risks are adequately mitigated and controls remain effective

Own and manage inbound requests from payment schemes and regulators, including assessment of identified gaps or non-compliance, preparation and coordination of action and mitigation plans, accountability for remediation activities, and end-to-end communication and case closure with all relevant stakeholders

Join Unlimit Team now
Unlimit is an equal opportunity employer. We believe passionately that employing a diverse workforce is central to our success. We make recruiting decisions based on your experience and skills. We welcome applications from all members of society irrespective of age, sex, disability, sexual orientation, race, religion or belief.

We may use artificial intelligence (AI) tools to support parts of the hiring process, such as reviewing applications, analyzing resumes, or assessing responses. These tools assist our recruitment team but do not replace human judgment. Final hiring decisions are ultimately made by humans. If you would like more information about how your data is processed, please contact us.