Manager, Fraud Strategy & Operations

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Position: Manager, Fraud Strategy & Operations
Location: Milpitas, CA
Job : 217
# of Openings: 1
Reports to: VP Consumer Banking and Payments
Job Title: Manager, Fraud Strategy & Operations
Location: Payactiv’s Milpitas, CA Headquarters

We are Payactiv, a Fin Tech company devoted to giving workers access to their earned wages when they need them. Payactiv is the pioneer and industry leader in Earned Wage Access — the only Certified B Corporation and Public Benefit Corporation in our industry. Our platform helps millions of workers avoid debt, build financial stability, and take control of their financial lives.

We partner with thousands of employers who recognize that financial wellness isn’t a perk — it’s the foundation of a loyal, engaged workforce.

• Author complex, multi-factor fraud rules (e.g., using FICO Falcon, Actimize, Sardine, etc.) that evaluate 200+ data points per transaction, including merchant category, velocity, IP reputation, and behavioral biometrics.
• Manage the constant lifecycle of a rule. Proactively audit the legacy ruleset to retire stale logic that no longer catches fraud but still adds latency or causes false positives.
• Identify and resolve rule overlap where multiple rules trigger on the same pattern, ensuring the decisioning engine remains lean and fast.

• Before any new rule goes live, it must be tested in shadow mode, testing it against 30 days of real historical traffic to predict exactly how many good users it would have blocked.
• Justify every new rule with a data-backed cost-benefit analysis.
• Rather than static rules, write dynamic and adaptive rules that adjust thresholds based on the user’s individual behavior.

• Use SQL and Python to perform cluster analysis. For example, if three cards are used at the same digital merchant within 5 minutes, one must identify if this is a carding attack and write a temporary circuit breaker rule immediately.
• Link data from EWA transfers, direct deposits, and card swipes to identify account takeovers (ATO).
• Incorporate external merchant risk data to write rules that are stricter at high-risk digital goods stores but leaner at local grocery stores.

• Optimize false positive ratio and keep it below mandated threshold.
• If fraud losses spike in a specific category (like Travel or Fast Food), pivot the strategy within hours to close the gap.
• Ensure rules don’t accidentally decline high value transactions that generate significant interchange revenue unless the risk score is undeniably high.

• 4-7+ years of experience in fraud strategy and operations
• Deep experience in authoring rules on real-time decisioning platforms and measuring relevant KPIs with appropriate trade-offs
• Hands‑on experience with SQL and Python
• Strong technical knowledge of the ISO 8583 messaging standard and the card authorization lifecycle
• Good organizational and execution skills with ability to manage multiple priorities
• Experience working cross‑functionally in demanding environments What we offer…
  • Company sponsored Health, Dental, and Vision insurance
  • 401(k), traditional, and Roth with a company match
  • Tuition Assistance or Tuition Reimbursement
  • Unlimited Paid Time off
  • Monthly Gym Reimbursement
  • Paid time off to volunteer
  • Paid Family Leave
  • Complimentary lunches onsite
  • Opportunity to grow
  • Opportunity to work with a great team committed to making a difference.
  • Salary range $120k to $150k + Bonus

  Payactiv is an equal opportunity employer. We celebrate diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all team members.