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. You will join the Cards & Payments Product Area within ING Italy and report to the Product Area Lead Cards & Payments. Roles and responsibilitiesContract 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
Tempo pieno (37 hours per week) Applicable Collective

📌 Payments Contract (Lombardia)
🏢 ING Bank N.V. Milan Branch
📍 Lombardia