Senior Payment Operations Analyst

Description of Bankwell

Bankwell is a commercial bank with over $3 billion in assets that serves the banking needs of businesses and individuals. At Bankwell, we pride ourselves on our unique ability to bring you high touch, high quality banking with the expertise and dedication of our experienced team of professionals. When it comes to business, our deep industry knowledge, flexibility, and innovative treasury and financing services enable us to find the right solutions for our business and commercial clients. We’re passionate about giving back and are actively involved with many not-for-profit organizations that help shape and improve the lives of others. We’re dedicated to giving our time and talent to support the communities we serve.

Summary of Position

The Senior Payment Operations Analyst is a subject matter expert responsible for leading complex payment processing functions, ensuring operational integrity, and driving efficiencies within the bank’s electronic payments environment.

Responsibilities

• Execute daily payment processing activities—including high value wires, ACH transactions, and foreign exchange payments—ensuring accuracy, timeliness, and effective risk controls.
• Lead complex investigations into rejected transactions, processing errors, or unusual activity; provide timely resolutions and root cause analysis.
• Perform daily processing of ACH, Wire and RDC files, ensuring timely submission and completeness and accuracy of related reports.
• Conduct daily reconciliations to ensure payment activity aligns with internal ledgers and operational records.
• Identify and mitigate operational, regulatory and fraud risks within payment workflows.
• Maintain detailed audit-ready records documenting transaction activity, exception handling, and system or process changes.
• Ensure compliance with banking regulations, such as AML (Anti-Money Laundering) and KYC (Know Your Customer) requirements.
• Monitor payment systems and electronic services platforms, ensuring operational continuity and proactively addressing emerging issues.
• Produce and analyze recurring and ad hoc reporting for management, audits, and operational performance reviews.
• Lead user acceptance testing (UAT) for system enhancements, integrations, and platform upgrades to ensure alignment with operational and regulatory requirements.
• Conduct quality assurance reviews to validate accuracy and compliance.
• Collaborate with IT, Compliance, Finance, Retail, and other stakeholders to resolve systemic issues and improve payment related processes.
• Lead efforts to streamline workflows, reduce risk, and implement process or system enhancements that elevate operational efficiency.
• Absorb assist with deposit operations and broader banking operational needs, when required.

Qualifications & Skills

• Bachelor’s degree required.
• Minimum of 5 years of experience in payment operations within a banking or financial services environment, including complex domestic, international and FX wire processing.
• Advanced knowledge of payment platforms and systems (e.g., SWIFT, ACH, FedLine, wire transfer systems) and regulatory frameworks such as BSA/AML, OFAC, KYC and broader consumer regulations.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office, with a focus on Excel; experience with data analysis tools preferred.
• Nacha AAP and/or APRP certification strongly preferred.
• Exceptional attention to detail and proven ability to maintain accuracy when handling high risk operational processes.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills, with the ability to independently investigate issues, perform root-cause analysis, and recommend solutions.
• Demonstrated ability to manage multiple priorities across systems and workflows.
• Excellent time management and prioritization skills.
• Strong communications skills and the ability to work effectively both independently and within cross-functional teams.
• Ability to identify and mitigate risks, with experience in risk management or compliance a plus.

Pay

Compensation is commensurate with experience.

Schedule

This role is full-time.

Benefits

Bankwell offers a comprehensive benefits package, including health insurance, retirement plans, and paid time off.

Skills

Skills required for this role include:

• Advanced knowledge of payment platforms and systems (e.g., SWIFT, ACH, FedLine, wire transfer systems).
• Regulatory frameworks such as BSA/AML, OFAC, KYC and broader consumer regulations.
• Microsoft Office proficiency, with a focus on Excel.
• Nacha AAP and/or APRP certification.
• Exceptional attention to detail and accuracy.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills.
• Time management and prioritization skills.
• Effective communication and collaboration skills.
• Risk identification and mitigation experience.

Qualifications

Requirements for this role include:

• Bachelor’s degree required.
• Minimum of 5 years of experience in payment operations within a banking or financial services environment, including complex domestic, international and FX wire processing.
• Advanced knowledge of payment platforms and systems (e.g., SWIFT, ACH, FedLine, wire transfer systems) and regulatory frameworks such as BSA/AML, OFAC, KYC and broader consumer regulations.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office, with a focus on Excel; experience with data analysis tools preferred.
• Nacha AAP and/or APRP certification strongly preferred.
• Exceptional attention to detail and proven ability to maintain accuracy when handling high risk operational processes.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills, with the ability to independently investigate issues, perform root-cause analysis, and recommend solutions.
• Demonstrated ability to manage multiple priorities across systems and workflows.
• Excellent time management and prioritization skills.
• Strong communications skills and the ability to work effectively both independently and within cross-functional teams.
• Ability to identify and mitigate risks, with experience in risk management or compliance a plus.

FLSA Status

Non-Exempt

Equal Opportunity Employer

Bankwell is committed to a policy of Equal Employment Opportunity and will not discriminate against any applicant or employee on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, national origin or ancestry, age, physical or mental disability, veteran or military status, marital status, or any other legally recognized protected basis under federal, state or local laws. Applicants with disabilities may be entitled to reasonable accommodation under the terms of the Americans with Disabilities Act and certain other state or local laws. Please inform Bankwell’s Human Resources representative if you need assistance completing any forms or to otherwise participate in the application process.