Director Risk Data Science

Paysafe 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 29 years of online payment experience, an annualized transactional volume of $152 billion in 2024, and approximately 3,300 employees located in 12+ countries, Paysafe connects businesses and consumers across 260 payment types in 48 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 Director Consumer Risk Data Science at Paysafe, you will play a pivotal role that involves leveraging advanced data analytics, machine learning, and predictive modelling to optimize risk management solutions for consumer in a fast-paced global payments environment. This role requires both strategic and tactical leadership to build on an existing team of analysts and data scientists to drive strategic growth.

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. We are open to this role being based in either our London (St Paul’s) or Dublin office following this hybrid working pattern.

Responsibilities:

• Lead Consumer Risk ML/AI Strategy: Drive the development and execution of ML/AI strategies to identify, assess, and mitigate consumer-related risks within the payment ecosystem. Address consumer fraud prevention, wallet credit card loading fraud, and alternative payment method fraud.

• Risk Modeling & Advanced Analytics: Develop and deploy advanced machine learning algorithms, statistical models, and predictive analytics to improve risk detection and prevention measures. Utilize risk engines, big data tools and platforms to enhance decision-making capabilities.
• Consumer Risk Strategy and Oversight: Collaborate with external and internal stakeholders to monitor, report, and mitigate Consumer risks across the global payments landscape. Ensure that risk management strategies are aligned with changing market conditions and regulatory guidelines.
• Team Leadership and Development: Lead, mentor, and inspire a high-performing team of data scientists and analysts. Foster a collaborative and innovative environment that encourages continuous learning and growth.
• Cross-functional Collaboration: Work closely with risk, product, engineering, compliance, and operational teams to build scalable risk models and tools. Ensure alignment of risk policies with business objectives and regulatory requirements.
• Regulatory and Compliance Oversight: Ensure that all risk ML practices comply with relevant laws, industry standards, and global regulatory requirements.
• Innovation and Process Improvement: Identify opportunities to innovate and continuously improve risk detection processes, tools, and systems. Stay ahead of industry trends and best practices in risk management.

Qualifications:

• At least 10+ years of experience in data science, risk management, or fraud analytics, with a strong background in the global payments industry. 5+ years of leadership experience managing cross-functional teams.
• Exceptional leadership, mentoring, and team management skills. Ability to effectively communicate complex data insights and risk strategies to non-technical stakeholders, including senior executives.
• Strong proficiency in data analytics and modelling tools (e.g., Feedzai, AWS Sagemaker, Python, SQL, Spark etc). Knowledge of application of machine learning, AI, and advanced statistical methods to detect and mitigate risk.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills with a focus on actionable outcomes. Ability to balance risk mitigation with business growth and innovation.
• Expertise in risk management, fraud detection, and financial crime prevention.
• Familiarity with global payment systems, e-commerce platforms, and financial technologies.
• Strong understanding of regulatory requirements and industry standards (e.g., PCI DSS, GDPR, PSD2).
• Knowledge of emerging risk trends and technologies in financial services, such as blockchain, digital currencies, and AI-driven risk tools.

Education Qualification:

• PhD or Master’s degree in Data Science, Artificial Intelligence, Statistics or a related quantitative field preferred. Strong academic foundation in machine learning, statistical modelling, and data-driven research methodologies is highly desirable.

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 member of the team.
3. In-person final interview with Chief Data & AI Officer and HR chat with Talent Acquisition.

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.