ACH Manager

Job Summary

The ACH Manager is responsible for leading the Bank’s payment operations, focusing on ACH processing and broader oversight across a multi-rail payments environment. This includes ACH origination and receipt, real-time payments (RTP/instant payments), wires, Zelle®, and other emerging payment channels. This role serves as the primary compliance and risk lead for all payment-related activities, conducting daily risk assessments and ensuring adherence to applicable regulations, rules, and internal policies.

Key Responsibilities

• Payments Oversight & Multi-Rail Strategy

• Maintain a strong and compliant ACH program while supporting expansion into a multi-rail payment ecosystem.
• Provide governance and oversight of payment operations across ACH, real-time payments (RTP/FedNow), wires, and Zelle®.
• Identify and drive opportunities to enhance and expand payment capabilities aligned with the Bank’s strategic goals.
• Support the implementation and lifecycle management of new payment products and services.

• Regulatory Compliance & Risk Management

• Serve as the lead compliance subject matter expert for all payment-related policies and procedures.
• Ensure adherence to NACHA Operating Rules, real-time payment network requirements, and applicable regulations (BSA, AML, OFAC, Reg E).
• Lead the annual ACH audit in accordance with NACHA Appendix Eight requirements.
• Perform and expand enterprise-wide payment risk assessments across all payment rails.
• Maintain and enhance internal controls to mitigate operational, fraud, and regulatory risk.
• Partner with Audit, Risk, and Compliance teams to ensure audit readiness and timely remediation of findings.

• Operational Management & Processing

• Oversee daily payment operations, including processing, balancing, and exception management.
• Ensure timely reconciliation of all payment-related reports and resolution of discrepancies.
• Manage non-posted transactions, returns, reversals, NOCs, reclamations, and exception processing.
• Monitor IAT transactions to ensure compliance with OFAC requirements.
• Enforce dual control standards across all applicable payment functions.

• Process Improvement & Efficiency

• Identify and implement process improvements to increase efficiency and reduce manual intervention.
• Standardize procedures and maintain accurate, up-to-date documentation aligned with regulatory expectations.
• Drive automation and increase straight-through processing where feasible.
• Track and report key performance metrics, including exceptions, losses, and processing timelines.
• Analyze operational losses and errors, identify root causes, and implement preventative controls.

• Leadership & Staff Development

• Provide leadership, coaching, and performance management for payment operations staff.
• Conduct regular team meetings to communicate updates, regulatory changes, and priorities.
• Develop and maintain training programs for both existing and emerging payment channels.
• Foster a culture of accountability, collaboration, and continuous improvement.

• Cross-Functional Collaboration & Projects

• Lead and contribute to cross-functional initiatives to enhance payment systems and controls.
• Function as liaison between Operations, Treasury, IT, Risk, and client-facing teams.
• Support system enhancements, vendor management, and product implementations.
• Partner with business lines on client onboarding, product expansion, and issue resolution.

• Governance & Reporting

• Deliver regular reporting to senior management and Board-level stakeholders.
• Support the annual review and approval of ACH and payment-related policies.
• Ensure accurate data collection and documentation for audits, risk assessments, and regulatory reporting.
• Manage departmental budgeting and resource planning.

Required Knowledge

• Extensive knowledge of NACHA Operating Rules & Guidelines governing ACH processing and compliance.
• Strong understanding of Real-Time Payments network rules, including RTP and FedNow requirements.
• Comprehensive knowledge of Regulation E (Electronic Fund Transfers) and consumer protection requirements.
• In-depth familiarity with Bank Secrecy Act (BSA), Anti-Money Laundering (AML), and OFAC regulations.
• Working knowledge of the Green Book governing federal government ACH payments.
• General understanding of wire transfer regulations and applicable payment network rules.
• Awareness of emerging payment technologies, digital payment trends, and evolving industry standards.

Education and Experience

• Bachelor’s Degree or equivalent required.
• 5–10 years of banking operations or payments experience required.
• Supervisory experience required.
• Accredited ACH Professional (AAP) certification required.
• Accredited Payments Risk Professional (APRP) certification preferred/recommended.
• Experience with ACH operations including returns, reversals, NOCs, reclamations, and originations preferred.
• Experience with real-time or instant payments (RTP, FedNow) preferred.
• Exposure to wires, Zelle®, and additional payment channels preferred.
• Experience with payment system implementations or enhancements preferred.