Director/VP, Deposit Operations (San Diego)

GENERAL SUMMARY

The Director/VP of Deposit Operations provides strategic leadership and oversight for all Deposit Operations functions. This role leads the department, ensuring staff development, performance management, training, and operational excellence. The position oversees all aspects of check processing, deposit account servicing, complex account handling, and regulatory compliance.

Responsibilities

• Hire, coach, direct daily work, resolve escalated issues, support member-facing teams, and ensure exceptional service to both internal and external members.
• Manage key vendor relationships, oversee process design and optimization, ensure adherence to all applicable regulations, and lead the development of policies, procedures, and operational controls.
• Support business continuity planning, system testing, regulatory audits, and enterprise initiatives that advance organizational goals.

Supervisory Responsibilities

• Oversees a team of eight employees, including seven staff members and one Assistant Vice President (AVP), providing leadership, guidance, and performance management.

Principal Accountabilities

• Provide strategic leadership and direction for the Deposit Operations department, including staffing, development, performance management, training, and resource allocation.
• Oversee all check processing functions and ensure accuracy, timeliness, and compliance with regulatory and operational standards.
• Ensure full compliance with all deposit-related regulations (UCC, Reg CC, Reg E, Reg D, BSA/AML/OFAC, etc.), internal policies, fiduciary rules, escheatment laws, probate requirements, and loss-prevention standards.
• Lead and oversee all deposit operational functions, including returned items, exception processing, payment/mail processing, A2A transfers, check collections, IRAs/HSAs/ESAs, fiduciary and decedent accounts, levies, garnishments, POAs, and backup withholding.
• Manage key vendor relationships, including statement vendors, escheatment processors, IRA/HSA service providers, and government agencies (FTB, child support, Medicare/Medicaid).
• Lead product strategy and lifecycle management for consumer deposit products, including pricing, features, disclosures, performance monitoring, and competitive analysis.
• Drive process optimization by streamlining workflows, reducing friction, improving cycle times, and leveraging automation and technology to enhance member experience and operational efficiency.
• Own deposit-related workstreams for mergers and acquisitions, including product mapping, migration planning, training, and post-conversion performance review.
• Collaborate with Compliance, Risk, Audit, IT, Legal, and other business units to implement regulatory changes, maintain strong controls, and ensure operational readiness.
• Aid with account disclosure updates.

Secondary Accountabilities

• Works on special projects, as assigned.
• Performs other duties as assigned.

Position Requirements and Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree or equivalent experience, with 5+ years of management or supervisory experience in deposit operations or financial services.
• Extensive knowledge of deposit operations, including returned items, exception processing, mail/payment processing, automated payments, payroll deductions, A2A transfers, check processing, and complex account types such as IRAs, fiduciary accounts, trusts, POAs, escheatment, and levies.
• Strong understanding of deposit regulations, including UCC 3 & 4; Regulations CC, D, DD, E, J; NACHA Rules; BSA; and the PATRIOT Act.

Abilities

• Proven ability to balance risk management with exceptional member service while maintaining confidentiality, professionalism, and sound judgment.
• Strong analytical, research, and documentation skills, with the ability to evaluate new products, processes, and services, including member impact and financial implications.
• Demonstrated leadership ability with strong skills in team building, motivation, communication, and change management.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills, with the ability to influence, educate, and collaborate across all levels of the organization.
• Highly organized with strong problem-solving skills, attention to detail, and the ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced environment.
• Proficiency with Fiserv DNA (or equivalent core system) and strong computer skills, including Microsoft Office (Excel, Word, PowerPoint, Outlook) and other job-related applications.
• Ability to compute rates, ratios, and percentages, and interpret operational data and reports.
• Commitment to staying current on industry trends, regulatory changes, and operational best practices.