Director of Payment Operations

About the role

The Director of Payment Operations will lead, direct, and guide the Payment Operations team to ensure the effective modernization of Kitsap Credit Union payment processing in alignment with the overall payments' strategy. Key responsibilities include:

• Implementing strategies to optimize payment operations, ensuring accuracy, efficiency, and compliance with regulations.
• Evaluating emerging payment trends and recommending strategies to ensure the future state of Payment Operations remains efficient and effective.
• Overseeing the processing of ACH, wires, and real-time payments, ensuring timely and accurate execution.
• Monitoring industry trends and regulatory changes to identify opportunities for process improvements and risk mitigation.
• Collaborating with cross-functional teams to implement new payment products and services.
• Managing relationships with payment service providers and technology vendors.
• Led, coached, and developed a team of payment operations professionals, fostering a culture of excellence and continuous improvement.
• Developing and managing the payment operations budget, ensuring cost-effective operations.
• Providing regular reporting and analysis on payment operations performance to senior management.
• Accountable for the department’s quality, timeliness, and compliance in the development and execution of operational processes, to include operational efficiency, effectiveness, and scalability utilizing KCU financial and staff resources.
• Negotiates Service Level Agreements (SLAs) with key internal business partners and assures compliance with regular reviews.
• Provides professional advice to managers and VPs on payments risk, rules/regulatory compliance, and industry best practices.
• Accountable for reporting and compliance with payment regulations and KCU policies, related to ACH, wires, and Real Time Payments.
• Develops and manages departmental annual budget, including explanations of monthly variances to budget.
• Uses professional judgement and interpersonal skills to communicate with both executives and employees.
• Coordinates and ensures completion of testing and implementing disaster recovery and business continuity plans for payment operations.
• Understands, models, and represents KCU’s core values.

Requirements

• Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
• Excellent organizational skills and attention to detail.
• Excellent time management skills with a proven ability to meet deadlines.
• Proficient with Microsoft Office Suite software.
• Demonstrates a high level of engagement and active collaboration contributing to a positive team environment.
• Understand, model, and represent KCU’s core values.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in business, finance, or a related field; MBA or relevant certification preferred.
• 7+ years of experience in payment operations, with a deep understanding of ACH, wires, and real-time payments.
• AAP or similar payment certification preferred.
• 5+ years of supervisory experience with strong leadership and management skills, the ability to motivate and develop teams.
• Proven problem-solving, analytical, and technical skills.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to collaborate effectively across functions and levels of the organization.
• Strong MS Office skills required, including the ability to use these to analyze and communicate complex data, issues, and solutions.