Data Migration Specialist

Data Migration Expert (Cards Processing)

Contract: 12 Months

Location: London (Hybrid)

£700.00 per day inside IR35

We are looking for a highly experienced Data Migration Expert to lead the end-to-end data migration for a major cards processor transformation programme. This role is pivotal in ensuring the accurate, complete, and controlled migration of customer, account, card, and transaction data from the existing processor to a new target platform with minimal customer and operational impact.

You will own the migration strategy, execution approach, reconciliation framework, and cutover readiness across multiple migration cycles, working closely with technology, data, testing, operations, and governance teams.

• Lead the design and execution of end-to-end data migration for the cards processor
• Define migration strategy, scope, and cutover approaches across card portfolios including:
• Customers and accounts
• Cards and limits
• Transactions and authorisations history
• Fraud data and risk indicators
• Disputes and chargebacks
• Establish robust reconciliation frameworks to ensure accuracy, completeness, and integrity of migrated data
• Plan and execute iterative migration cycles including:
• Mock migrations
• Dress rehearsals
• Parallel runs
• Lessons-learned incorporation into final cutover
• Own data extraction, transformation, migration, and reconciliation processes between legacy and target processors
• Ensure compliance with:
• Bank data governance standards
• Audit and evidence requirements
• GDPR obligations
• Card-scheme data retention and traceability requirements
• Provide transparent reporting on migration readiness, data quality metrics, risks, and go/no-go recommendations to senior stakeholders
• Work closely with testing, integration, production support, and operational teams to assure migration stability and customer impact mitigation

• Proven experience leading large-scale data migration within cards processing or payments environments
• Deep understanding of cards data structures across the full lifecycle (customer, account, card, transaction, fraud, disputes)
• Experience migrating between card processors or during processor transformation programmes
• Strong expertise in data reconciliation, data quality management, and migration assurance
• Experience planning and executing multiple migration rehearsals and parallel run strategies
• Strong understanding of regulatory, GDPR, audit, and card-scheme data obligations
• Ability to provide clear risk assessment and migration readiness reporting to senior stakeholders
• Excellent stakeholder collaboration across data, technology, testing, and operations teams
• Experience with major card processor platforms (e.g., TSYS, FIS, First Data, Global Payments, Open Way)
• Familiarity with data tooling, ETL frameworks, and large-scale data validation techniques
• Experience working within complex banking architecture and governance environments