As we progress through 2026, commercial hiring in fintech is gaining renewed momentum. Companies across Europe are sharpening their focus on revenue‑driving roles, leadership capabilities, and operational readiness as they navigate an increasingly competitive landscape.
“We’ve seen a strong rise in demand for Business Development Managers and Partner Acquisition Managers,” says Lisa Gambino, Senior Payments Recruiter at PaymentGenes. “Both early‑stage startups and established players are expanding or restructuring to increase their market impact.”
While technical talent remains essential, fintechs reaching post‑product maturity are prioritising roles that ensure scalability, compliance, and commercial growth. According to Lisa, three categories stand out:
“These roles increasingly sit at ‘Head of’ or Director level, reflecting the need for leadership with both strategic and regulatory awareness.”
Fintech continues to diversify, with several sectors standing out for rapid expansion:
These emerging areas are shaping new types of commercial and operational roles.
Lisa sees two main friction points as fintech hiring accelerates in 2026:
Some companies continue to aim for top‑tier talent while maintaining outdated compensation structures.
“Candidates notice misalignment immediately, and it affects trust,” she notes.
Return‑to‑office mandates remain a dealbreaker for many professionals.
“Two days in the office is manageable, but three or four often leads to talent loss. Flexibility has become a critical competitive advantage.”
Candidates have become more selective, seeking:
To secure top commercial talent, companies should:
Professionals aiming to grow in 2026 should:
“Too many commercial candidates still overlook numeric wins on their CVs—these make a real difference.” Lisa emphasises the importance of professionalism on both ends: delays, ghosting, or miscommunication can harm both employer brands and candidate credibility.
This interview is part of the PaymentGenes Salary & Hiring Trends Report, developed in collaboration with MPE. The report combines detailed salary benchmarks with direct insights from industry recruiters, offering companies and candidates a data‑driven view of the current and future state of fintech hiring.
👉 Download the full report to access benchmark salaries, role‑specific insights, and expert guidance for navigating today’s fintech job market.
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