Payments Manager

The Payments Manager leads the Credit Union’s payments function, overseeing the performance, strategy, and ongoing development of payment products and services. This role ensures the organization remains competitive with evolving payment trends while delivering strong operational performance, effective risk management, and an exceptional member experience. This leader aligns day-to-day operations with long-term strategic priorities, driving continuous improvement across all payment channels and services.

The Payments Manager plays a critical role in advancing the Credit Union’s growth and member service strategy. Reporting to the VP of Finance & Accounting, this position bridges operations and strategy—ensuring payment systems, products, and partnerships support both financial performance and a seamless member experience.

• Responsible for overall ownership, performance, and direction of the Payments function, including quality, timeliness, compliance, and achievement of strategic objectives.
• Manages all Payments-related vendor relationships, including evaluation, implementation, and ongoing performance management.
• Drives growth in Payments-related income, including interchange optimization, product expansion, and service utilization.
• Oversees the design, development, implementation, and ongoing management of payment products and services.
• Exercises independent judgment in prioritizing initiatives, managing vendor relationships, and making decisions that impact the direction and performance of the Payments function.
• Provides leadership and direction to the Payments Operations Supervisor, holding the role accountable for operational performance and execution.
• Establishes measurable performance expectations for the Payments function and ensures alignment between operational execution and strategic priorities.
• Ensures all Payments products and services are compliant with applicable regulations, including NACHA, Reg E, and network rules.
• Provides oversight of risk management practices, ensuring appropriate controls, monitoring, and mitigation strategies are in place across all payment channels.
• Partners cross-functionally to support system enhancements, integrations, and continuous process improvement.
• Monitors industry trends, emerging technologies, and competitive positioning to inform strategic direction and decision-making.
• Reviews and evaluates operational and financial reporting to assess performance, identify trends, and drive informed decisions.
• Regularly presents Payments performance, initiatives, and key risks to senior and executive leadership, demonstrating clear understanding of results and areas requiring attention.
• Contributes to the development and management of budgets for Payments initiatives, ensuring adherence to approved financial targets.
• Maintains working knowledge of operational processes to effectively oversee the function, support escalations, and ensure alignment between strategy and execution.
• Ensures policies, procedures, and documentation supporting the Payments function are appropriate, current, and aligned with regulatory and operational requirements.
• Sets the standard for accountability, ownership, and professionalism within the Payments function.
• Performs other duties as assigned.

• Strong understanding of payment systems, card networks, and electronic banking services.
• Ability to translate industry trends into actionable strategies.
• Strong vendor management and relationship management skills.
• Ability to balance operational needs with strategic priorities.
• Strong analytical, financial, and problem-solving skills.
• Effective leadership, communication, and influencing skills.

• Minimum Education:
  
  Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration, Finance, or related field, or equivalent experience.
• Minimum Experience:
  
  Five or more years of progressive experience in payments, card services, or electronic banking, including demonstrated leadership experience.
• Personal Characteristics:
  Demonstrates a high level of integrity, accountability, and professionalism. Exercises sound judgment and decision-making while operating independently. Strong organizational and prioritization skills, with the ability to manage multiple initiatives without losing attention to detail. Communicates effectively and collaborates across all levels of the organization. Demonstrates ownership of outcomes and the ability to lead through both influence and direct accountability.