The opportunity

Payments rely on a complex ecosystem of card schemes, payment processors and other strategic providers. As Payments Contract & Partner Management Expert, you will own these relationships end to end, driving negotiations, commercial value and high-quality service delivery across ING Italy's Cards & Payments domain.

You will lead contract negotiations and lifecycle management, shape effective partnership models and turn commercial agreements into measurable business outcomes. You will also ensure that regulatory and operational-resilience requirements are appropriately embedded in each arrangement.

The team

You will join the Cards & Payments Product Area within ING Italy and report to the Product Area Lead Cards & Payments. You will work across Product, Procurement, Legal, Compliance, Risk, Finance, Operations, Technology, Information Security, global teams and external partners.

Roles and responsibilities

Contract ownership and lifecycle management

·       Lead contract renewals, amendments and renegotiations, defining negotiation objectives and working with Procurement to secure strong commercial and contractual outcomes.

·       Maintain a complete overview of contracts, obligations, pricing, incentives, liabilities, notice periods and key decision points.

·       Identify opportunities to improve terms, simplify the contractual setup and increase the value delivered by partners.

·       Support strategic decisions on provider selection, contract duration, service migration and sourcing options.

·       Cooperate with ING Group teams on global contractual arrangements, representing local business requirements and supporting the adoption of Group agreements and solutions where appropriate.

Partner and service governance

·       Act as the main business counterpart for strategic payment partners and build effective relationships at operational and senior-management level.

·       Lead periodic business and service reviews covering commercial performance, SLAs, KPIs, roadmap, incidents and actions.

·       Challenge providers on performance and delivery, coordinate internal stakeholders and drive agreed improvements through to completion.

·       Identify opportunities for innovation, service enhancement and broader collaboration.

Financial and commercial management

·       Own the commercial performance of the contracts, including costs, incentives, rebates, penalties and minimum commitments.

·       Support budgeting, forecasting, invoice validation and performance tracking against the business case.

·       Prepare commercial analyses and negotiation scenarios for renewals and sourcing decisions.

·       Ensure ING fully captures the financial and strategic value included in its agreements.

Management reporting and decision support

·       Cooperate with ING Group teams on global contractual arrangements, representing local business requirements and supporting the adoption of Group agreements and solutions where appropriate.

·       Provide senior management with a consolidated view of performance, costs, risks and upcoming decisions.

·       Prepare concise decision materials and highlight expiries, notice periods, gaps and required actions.

·       Support the long-term partner and sourcing strategy, including local versus global contracting.

How to succeed

We are looking for an experienced commercial and contract-management professional with a strong understanding of payments. You are a confident negotiator, able to identify value opportunities, challenge providers and build productive long-term relationships. You work autonomously, bring structure to complex topics and translate commercial, operational and regulatory considerations into clear recommendations for senior management.

Required experience and skills

·       Strong experience in contract management, commercial negotiation, vendor management, procurement or strategic partnerships, preferably in payments or financial services.

·       Proven ability to negotiate complex agreements and improve commercial terms, service commitments and contractual protections.

·       Sound financial and business acumen, including the ability to assess pricing models, incentives, costs and business cases.

·       Strong relationship-management and influencing skills, with the confidence to challenge senior internal and external stakeholders.

·       Ability to translate contractual provisions into operational actions, governance and measurable outcomes.

·       Understanding of third-party risk and operational-resilience requirements in a regulated environment.

·       Ability to prepare clear executive reporting and recommendations.

·       Professional fluency in English and Italian, with the ability to operate independently.

Preferred experience

·       Knowledge of card issuing, processing, settlement and card-scheme operating models.

·       Experience negotiating or managing agreements with card schemes, payment processors or payment service providers.

·       Experience with complex pricing structures, SLAs, incentives and provider-performance frameworks.

·       Knowledge of DORA, outsourcing requirements, exit planning or ICT third-party risk.

Contract offer:

Working conditions: Permanent employment contract

Working hours: Full time (37 hours per week)

Applicable Collective Labour Agreement: National Collective Labour Agreement for employees in the credit sector (NCLA)

Location: Milan (hybrid)

Starting annual base salary: 48.000€

Variable remuneration: in line with the applicable remuneration policies (with a target based on the role, outcomes linked to the Group, Business line/function and individual performance)

Our compensation approach is built on objective, gender-neutral criteria aligned with the role’s core requirements. That said, we believe talent goes beyond any framework: your total reward package will be tailored to reflect your unique experience, skills, and potential, ensuring we fully recognize the value you bring.

The benefits of joining ING

In addition to being a part of a great team, working in a fun and innovative environment, we offer:

• Flexible Smart Working
• Competitive base salaries and performance-based bonuses
• Meal vouchers and corporate restaurant and bar
• Health insurance and Accident insurance
• Pension fund and welfare plan
• Diverse cultures & Innovative mindsets
• International Environnent and Talent Program
• Commitment to sustainability
• Lots of training development opportunities to help you grow
• Lots of moments dedicated to physical and mental well-being
• A special day off when it is your birthday: we call it #doyourbirthday!
• And of course, we can’t forget free water & coffee at the office!

About ING

ING offers many opportunities to build a diverse and rewarding career. You will be joining an international innovative digital bank, the first in Italy to adopt a fully flexible smart working model, and you will be working in a stimulating environment where you can grow both as an individual and as a professional. Our purpose - empowering people to stay a step ahead in life and in business - represents our belief in people’s potential. We don’t judge, coach or to tell people how to live their lives. We empower people and businesses to realize their own vision for a better future.
#doyourthing is our brand direction with us each and every day. It is how we articulate our purpose and our promise to make banking frictionless to the world.
‘do your thing’ is about people being free to live the life they want to live, knowing that they will make their world a little better for it.
Do you think you are "a step ahead"? Apply now!

Our Commitment

Diversity is a fundamental element of our corporate culture, and we are fully committed to creating a safe and inclusive environment, based on mutual respect and the value of diversity, offering equal job opportunities to all qualified candidates.

Job Application Safety Reminder ⚠️

We’re seeing an increase in fraudulent job offers. To protect yourself, please follow these key guidelines when applying for roles at ING:

·       Apply only via official ING platforms: ING uses Workday as its internal recruitment system. Applications should be submitted only via our official career site.

·       Check the sender’s email carefully: legitimate communication will always come from: @ing.com and/or @myworkday.com

·       No payments or banking details will ever be requested. If someone asks for this information, it’s a scam.

If you suspect suspicious activity, report it immediately. Your safety matters to us.