James Lewis
Melbourne,VIC
Summary
Results driven professional with over 25 years of experience in Relationship Management, specialising in strategic relationships, account growth, and managing diverse complex payment solutions. Proven track record in managing large prepaid card clients, data-driven decision making, and project management. Excels in customer satisfaction, global collaboration, and teamwork. Returning to the UK after 15 enriching years in Australia, I’m looking to continue my journey in payments and contribute to a company where I can grow and make a meaningful difference.
Overview
25
25
years of professional experience
Work History
Account Manager
Mastercard
01.2023 - 04.2025
- Managed the strategic relationship supporting Australia Post’s four prepaid card programs, which were sold in a network of 4,200 Australian retail locations
- These programs included a multi-currency Travel Card, a Gift Card, and an Everyday Card, each with different revenue structures
- Additionally, I played a key role in launching a Digital Gift Card in market
- My role required flexibility and encompassed product management, implementing technical enhancements, executing marketing promotions, budget and financial reporting, forecasting, incident management, data-driven decision making, gathering business requirements, operational support, monitoring compliance and escalation management
- Recently completed a project that involved distributing 8,000 reward gift cards to over 700 stores as part of Australia Post’s reward and recognition program
- Achieved a 10% year-on-year increase in sales and launched new products and services such as Digital Gift and Mastercard Travel Rewards
- Led multiple projects, including the launch of two new themed Gift Cards, which generated an additional 10% in sales, and created training videos for the network, increasing employee engagement and sales
- Optimized API integration with client’s systems to ensure seamless transaction processing across multiple platforms
- Collaborated with technical teams to resolve API integration issues and enhance the overall customer experience
- Worked with the client and fulfillment team to ensure appropriate stock levels by utilising data for decision making
- Ensured the highest levels of customer satisfaction for the client and cardholders by working closely with the contact center
- Led a customer forum initiative to drive and implement improvements
- Oversaw marketing activities, including the introduction of the first Mastercard-themed sponsorship assets
- All accomplishments were achieved through fast-paced global collaboration and teamwork, executed according to an endorsed account plan
Senior Relationship Manager
Australian Payments Plus (BPAY)
07.2018 - 01.2023
- Fostered and strengthened relationships at all levels within my financial institution portfolio, including ANZ, NAB, and Bendigo Bank
- Managed solutions across the full product suite: NPP, eftpos, and BPAY
- Increased scheme volume by 10% and introduced new products and services such as API technology, expansion of credit acceptance and BPAY View
- Collaborated with banks’ sales teams to position and sell BPAY products and services
- Project managed several bank implementations, including BPAY View
- Supported cross-functional teams in marketing initiatives, finance, product development, production support, and service delivery
- Utilised data driven decision making to identify areas of mutual opportunity
- Introduced APIs and collaborated with banks on optimal utilisation of the technology
- Provided customer insights and thought leadership, identifying and introducing solutions to address customer pain points
- Executed robust account plans to achieve revenue and transactional growth, customer satisfaction
Commercial Card - Visa Consultant
Westpac
01.2017 - 07.2018
- Led initiatives to protect and expand Westpac’s Visa-branded commercial card portfolio
- Collaborated with institutional relationship managers to increase portfolio performance, resulting in a 20% revenue increase
- Showcased the value of commercial card programs to customers by increasing visibility of company spend, identifying working capital efficiencies, and improving reconciliation processes
- Supported Westpac’s internal bid management team, contributing to the successful acquisition of new customers and achieving annual goals and targets for customer acquisition and retention
- Seconded to Westpac’s VIC Gov team, which became the largest account in the commercial card program
Account Director, Merchant Sales and Solutions
VISA
07.2015 - 01.2017
- Managed key strategic merchants, including Coles, Australia Post, and Telstra, contributing over $20 billion in payment volume to the Australian business
- Provided cross-functional relationship management and thought leadership
- Supported the NAB Acquiring team by integrating the best of VISA into their business
- Collaborated with product, risk, sales, and operations teams to embed Visa within clients’ payment strategies and deepen partnerships across various functions
- Managed a co-brand prepaid card portfolio, achieving annual payment volume targets and negotiating three strategic merchant agreements, ensuring
Senior Account Manager, Strategic Alliance
VISA
09.2012 - 07.2015
- Led the integration of CyberSource, Payment Gateway within ANZ (local bank), successfully negotiating and executing contracts, which led to a 30% month-on-month transaction growth and surpassed revenue targets
- Delivered thought leadership on eCommerce and fraud trends, collaborating closely with global product and sales teams to ensure top-tier offerings and comprehensive product knowledge
- Executed the first reseller partnership agreement in Asia Pacific and launched Authorize.Net in Australia, enhancing payment solutions for small business merchants
Senior Account Manager
Transaction Network Services
10.2011 - 09.2012
- Managed key accounts including Bendigo Bank, First Data, Suncorp, and Citibank, developing and executing tailored account plans to meet customer needs
- Achieved significant revenue growth by winning high-value business and re-signing a major customer with guaranteed minimums
- Delivered to company objectives and took on additional responsibilities for payment gateway customers, enhancing service offerings
Senior Account Manager
Transaction Network Services
10.2007 - 09.2011
- Providing relationship management to a portfolio of customers
- Managing the delivery of POS connectivity and ATM processing services within the payments industry
Account Director
Vocalink
04.2002 - 10.2007
- Providing relationship management to a portfolio of independent ATM deployers
Account Support
LINK Interchange
07.2001 - 04.2002
- Supported the Account Manager’s on their account portfolios
Computer Operator
LINK Interchange
09.2000 - 07.2001
- Technical role based in the operations bridge
Education
Bachelors Degree 2:1 - Business Administration
University of Huddersfield
01.2000
Advanced Diploma - Business and Finance
Harrogate College
01.1997
Skills
- Relationship Building
- Growing Revenue
- Teamwork
- Account Growth
- Global Collaboration
- International Experience
- Account Planning
- Customer Service
- Managing Projects
- Managing Complex Solutions
PAYMENTS EXPERIENCE
- Prepaid Card Issuing
- Merchant Acquiring
- Card Schemes
- Commercial Cards
- Payment Gateways
- Telecommunications
Timeline
Account Manager
Mastercard
01.2023 - 04.2025
Senior Relationship Manager
Australian Payments Plus (BPAY)
07.2018 - 01.2023
Commercial Card - Visa Consultant
Westpac
01.2017 - 07.2018
Account Director, Merchant Sales and Solutions
VISA
07.2015 - 01.2017
Senior Account Manager, Strategic Alliance
VISA
09.2012 - 07.2015
Senior Account Manager
Transaction Network Services
10.2011 - 09.2012
Senior Account Manager
Transaction Network Services
10.2007 - 09.2011
Account Director
Vocalink
04.2002 - 10.2007
Account Support
LINK Interchange
07.2001 - 04.2002
Computer Operator
LINK Interchange
09.2000 - 07.2001
Advanced Diploma - Business and Finance
Harrogate College
Bachelors Degree 2:1 - Business Administration
University of Huddersfield
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