Senior Director Merchant Risk Data Science

Paysafe Limited (“Paysafe”) (NYSE: PSFE) (PSFE.WS) is a leading payments platform with an extensive track record of serving merchants and consumers in the global entertainment sectors. Its core purpose is to enable businesses and consumers to connect and transact seamlessly through industry-leading capabilities in payment processing, digital wallet, and online cash solutions. With over 20 years of online payment experience, an annualized transactional volume of $140 billion in 2023, and approximately 3,200 employees located in 12+ countries, Paysafe connects businesses and consumers across 260 payment types in over 40 currencies around the world. Delivered through an integrated platform, Paysafe solutions are geared toward mobile-initiated transactions, real-time analytics and the convergence between brick-and-mortar and online payments. Further information is available at www.paysafe.com.

It starts here. Have a global impact on the world of payments.

As the Senior Director for Merchant Risk Data Sciences at Paysafe, you will lead and manage a team of 15 data scientists and analysts to develop and deploy cutting-edge ML/AI solutions that identify, assess, and mitigate merchant-related risks. This role requires ML/AI focussed strategy and leadership and will be reporting to the Chief Data and Analytics Officer.

What Paysafe stands for:

• Being open and honest.
• Keeping focused.
• Operating with Courage.
• Pioneering the future.

Our values and culture are driven by Equality, Development, Social Responsibility and Wellbeing. If you want to find out more about life at Paysafe, check out our careers page here. 

How we work:

We follow a hybrid working model, spending an average of three days per week at our office location. The office is located in Gresham Street next to St Paul’s cathedral with easy access and transport links via St Paul’s, Bank, Cannon Street, City Thameslink, Liverpool Street, Farringdon, Mansion House.

The impact you will have:

• Utilize advanced ML and AI models to identify patterns and anomalies in merchant behavior, payment fraud, chargebacks, and compliance risks.
• Oversee the integration of AI-driven risk management tools into real-time transaction monitoring systems to improve detection and response time.
• Development, validation, and continuous improvement of ML & AI models that assess merchant risk leveraging a range of techniques (e.g., supervised and unsupervised learning, reinforcement learning, etc.)
• Model implementations in Feedzai & AWS Sagemaker,
• Develop and maintain ML & AI models to score merchants for underwriting, ongoing risk monitoring, credit risk & trigger for actions like reserve releases.
• Oversee & update monthly loss forecasting process working with finance and accounting teams
• Lead, mentor, and inspire a high-performing team of data scientists and risk analysts. Foster a collaborative and innovative environment that encourages continuous learning and growth.
• Identify opportunities to innovate and continuously improve merchant risk management. Stay ahead of industry trends and best practices in application of ML and AI for merchant risk management.
• Ensure that all merchant risk modelling practices comply with relevant laws, industry standards, and global regulatory requirements.

What we’re looking for:

• At least 10+ years of experience in data science, with a strong background in the global payments industry.
• Exceptional leadership, mentoring, and team management skills. Ability to effectively communicate complex data insights and risk strategies to non-technical stakeholders, including senior executives.
• Knowledge of machine learning, AI, and advanced statistical methods to detect and mitigate risk.
• Strong proficiency in data analytics and modelling tools (e.g., Python, R, SQL, Hadoop, Spark, TensorFlow).
• Experience in building and working with a commercial risk engine preferred.
• Expertise in risk management, fraud detection, and financial crime prevention
• Masters or PhD in Statistics preferred.
• Experience with global payment systems, e-commerce platforms, and financial technologies preferred.
• Strong understanding of regulatory requirements and industry standards (e.g., PCI DSS, GDPR, PSD2).
• Knowledge of emerging risk trends and AI-driven risk tools in financial services 

A snippet of what you’ll get in return:

• Make your day work for you with our flexible working hours.
• You decide what your holiday looks like with the option to buy or sell your holiday and carry over up to 5 days into the next year.
• Enjoy social events on our roof top terrace with views onto St Pauls Cathedral.
• Our fully equipped facilities include showers, hairdryers and straighteners and fresh towels.
• Start your day with a free breakfast, fresh fruit and snacks.
• Take a breather in our dedicated wellbeing room.
• Spend time with those important to you with our enhanced paid family policies.
• Test our products Skrill and Neteller. Upon joining we will award you £50 into each wallet.
• Enjoy our discounts on memberships via vitality including, gyms, leisure centres, yoga/Pilates across the country.
• Need a new Laptop or TV? We offer support purchasing Apple and LG products via Stormfront technology.
• Join our six employee-led equality communities and help foster a workplace that celebrates diversity and create opportunities to collaborate and learn.
• Give back to the community with four paid charity days.
• Kickstart your weekend early with our summer hours during the months of June, July and August with a 3pm finish every Friday.
• Let’s not forget, we also offer: Private health insurance (pre-existing conditions are included) & dental insurance, income protection, life assurance and more.

What to expect next:  

1. Phone screen with Talent Acquisition  
2. Video interview with the Hiring Manager.
3. In-person interview
4. Stakeholder Video Interview
5. Final HR interview with Recruitment.

If you’re successful joining the team, you’ll be meeting our CEO in person during our new joiners breakfast in London – a great opportunity to network with your peers.

Equal Employment Opportunity

Paysafe is an equal opportunity employer. We value diversity and are committed to providing a work environment of mutual respect to everyone without regard to race, color, religion, national origin, age, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by applicable laws, regulations and ordinances.