VP Electronic Payments

About the Role

The Vice President of Money Movement and Payments is responsible for the strategic direction, operational performance, member experience, and risk management of the Credit Union’s payment ecosystem and member operations functions. This executive oversees money movement services, card programs, and centralized member servicing operations to ensure a seamless, secure, compliant, and member-centric experience across all channels. The Vice President serves as the enterprise owner for the payment strategy and execution while leading teams responsible for Member Operations and Card Services. This role partners closely with Technology, Digital Banking, Fraud, Compliance, Retail, Finance, and Business Development to deliver innovative payment solutions and operational excellence.

This position is currently hybrid-eligible, with the expectation of three days pre-assigned on-site attendance. This role requires California residency and living within a 50-mile commute of our headquarters in Santa Ana.

Responsibilities

• Develops and executes the strategic vision and roadmap for payments, money movements, member operations, and card services.
• Provides executive leadership and oversight including established goals, performance expectations, and succession planning initiatives.
• Directs all payment channels and money movement services including ACH, wire transfers, debit cards, credit cards, Zelle, Real-Time Payments (RTP), FedNow, Digital wallets, bill pay, and emerging payments solutions.
• Oversees deposit operations, account maintenance, exception processing, IRA administration, and back-office operational support functions.
• Ensures operational excellence through continuous process improvement, automation, workflow optimization, and service delivery enhancements.
• Establishes, monitors, and reports on key productivity metrics, quality measures, and member experience outcomes.
• Partners with Fraud, Compliance, Risk, and Information Security teams to mitigate operational, payment and fraud risks while maintaining a strong control environment.
• Ensures compliance with all applicable regulations and network rules, including NACHA, Regulation E, Regulation CC, BSA/AML, OFAC, card network requirements, and emerging digital asset regulations.
• Leads vendor selection, contract negotiations, service level management, and ongoing relationship management for payment processors, fintech partners, and card service providers.
• Evaluates, recommends, and implements innovative payment technologies and money movement solutions that improve member experience and organizational efficiency.
• Assesses opportunities and risks associated with emerging technologies including stablecoins, digital assets, cryptocurrency, and blockchain-enabled payment solutions.
• Partners with Technology and Digital Banking teams to deliver payment integrations, system enhancements, and digital channel capabilities.
• Leads organizational change management efforts related to payment modernization and operational transformation initiatives.

Requirements

• Master’s degree or MBA preferred.
• Minimum 10 years of progressive leadership experience in financial services operations, payments, card services, or banking operations.
• Minimum 5 years of leadership experience managing managers and multiple functional areas.
• Experience leading payment operations, deposit operations, and card programs within a credit union or financial institution preferred.

Skills

• Deep understanding of payments, money movement, deposit operations, and card services.
• Strong knowledge of ACH, cards, wires, RTP, FedNow, disputes, and digital payment channels.
• Knowledge of regulatory requirements governing payment and deposit operations.
• Understanding of emerging payment technologies, including stablecoins, digital assets, cryptocurrency, blockchain-based payment rails, and their potential applications within financial services.
• Ability to assess the strategic, operational, compliance, and risk implications associated with cryptocurrency and stablecoin payment solutions and partnerships.
• Familiarity with evolving regulatory guidance related to digital assets and blockchain-enabled payment ecosystems.
• Proven ability to lead large-scale operational and technology initiatives.

Benefits

• Comprehensive benefits from day one, including medical, dental, and vision.
• 401(k) with up to 6% employer match.
• Annual performance bonuses & merit increases.
• Educational grants up to $1,000 annually.
• 18 vacation days/year (21 after 5 years).
• 7 sick days/year.
• Paid holidays.

Pay

The anticipated range for this role is $161K - $215K annually. Final offers are based on qualifications, experience, and internal equity.