Chief Executive Officer

About The Merchant Risk Council

The Merchant Risk Council (MRC) is the leading global not-for-profit membership association serving the payments, fraud prevention, and digital commerce ecosystem. With nearly 800 member organizations, approximately $12 million in annual revenue, and active communities across North America, Europe, APAC, and Latin America, MRC convenes the world's leading merchants, financial institutions, technology providers, and industry experts to advance innovation, strengthen fraud prevention, and shape the future of digital commerce.

Built on a strong financial foundation and an engaged global membership, MRC is entering an exciting new chapter of leadership and growth.

The Opportunity

This is an exceptional opportunity to lead one of the world's most respected trade associations at a pivotal moment in its evolution.

Partnering closely with an engaged Global Board of Directors, the next Chief Executive Officer will define MRC's next three-to-five-year strategy while strengthening its role as the premier professional community for payments and fraud professionals worldwide.

The successful leader will build upon MRC's strong foundation by:

• Setting the strategic direction for MRC's next chapter of growth, with Events serving as the organization's primary strategic pillar, supported by Advocacy and Education.
• Strengthening member value by expanding engagement, elevating flagship conferences, and fostering meaningful year-round professional connections.
• Growing industry influence by advancing public policy initiatives, strengthening relationships with regulators and industry leaders, and positioning MRC as the trusted voice of the profession.
• Leading a high-performing global organization by cultivating an engaged culture, strengthening executive leadership, and building trusted partnerships with the Global Board.
• Driving innovation by leveraging emerging technologies, including Artificial Intelligence, to enhance member experience, operational effectiveness, and long-term organizational success.

Position Summary

Reporting to the Global Board of Directors, the Chief Executive Officer serves as MRC's chief executive, chief ambassador, and primary liaison to the Board.

The CEO will provide strategic leadership for the organization while aligning a global volunteer board, professional staff, and worldwide membership around a shared vision for the future. Success requires exceptional consensus-building, governance leadership, operational discipline, commercial acumen, and the ability to translate long-term strategy into measurable organizational impact.

What Success Looks Like

During the first 12 to 24 months, the successful CEO will:

• Build trust and establish a strong partnership with the Global Board, leadership team, and membership.
• Develop and launch a board-approved three-to-five-year strategic plan with measurable priorities and performance metrics.
• Successfully lead MRC's flagship conferences while strengthening member engagement, sponsorship value, and financial performance.
• Expand MRC's advocacy presence and influence across key public policy and regulatory initiatives.
• Build a high-performing leadership team and organizational culture grounded in trust, accountability, collaboration, and innovation.

The Ideal Candidate

The ideal candidate is a visionary, collaborative executive with a proven record of leading complex membership organizations through growth and transformation. They are equally comfortable in the boardroom, on the conference stage, with policymakers, and engaging directly with members.

They bring the strategic perspective to anticipate where the industry is headed, the operational discipline to deliver measurable results, and the emotional intelligence to build lasting trust across diverse stakeholders. They are energized by building communities, developing people, embracing innovation, and creating meaningful organizational impact.

For an accomplished executive seeking the opportunity to shape the future of the global payments and fraud industry while leading one of its most respected organizations, few roles offer the visibility, influence, and potential of serving as MRC's next Chief Executive Officer.

Additional Notes:

• Competitive benefits package, including medical, dental, and vision insurance; life and disability insurance; 401(k) with company match; generous paid time off; flexible scheduling; and professional development support.
  
• MRC participates in eVerify. To learn more, please go to: https://merchantriskcouncil.org/who-we-are/careers/employment-at-mrc

Compensation: First Year Total Compensation: $425,000 (Base + Annual Bonus)