SUMMARY

The Payment and Digital Solutions Manager is responsible for leading the evaluation, design, implementation, and enhancement of payment and digital banking solutions that support Sunwest Bank's growth objectives and evolving client needs. This role serves as the lead for payment modernization initiatives, partnering closely with Operations, Information Technology, Treasury Management, Relationship Management, Compliance, Risk Management, and Executive Leadership to identify opportunities, evaluate vendors, implement technology solutions, and establish operational controls.

The Solutions Manager will drive the advancement of the Bank's payment and digital ecosystem, including emerging technologies and payment rails such as international payments, faster and real-time payments, stablecoin-enabled solutions, digital treasury services, and future payment innovations. This individual will serve as a subject matter expert and project leader, ensuring successful implementation of strategic initiatives while balancing innovation, client experience, operational efficiency, regulatory compliance, and risk management.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

Strategic Leadership & Innovation

• Participate in creation of a strategic roadmap for payment modernization and digital banking capabilities.
• Identify opportunities to enhance client experience, operational efficiency, revenue generation, and competitive positioning through innovative payment and digital solutions.
• Monitor industry trends, evolving technologies, regulatory developments, and competitive offerings to recommend strategic initiatives.
• Evaluate emerging payment rails, networks, technologies, and fintech partnerships for potential adoption.

Project & Program Leadership

• Lead end-to-end implementation of strategic payment and digital banking initiatives.
• Develop business cases, project plans, cost-benefit analyses, and executive recommendations for proposed solutions.
• Establish project milestones, success metrics, governance structures, and reporting mechanisms.
• Drive initiatives through completion while managing competing priorities and stakeholder expectations.
• Facilitate organizational change management, training, and communication efforts related to new solutions.

Vendor Evaluation & Relationship Management

• Lead vendor identification, evaluation, due diligence, selection, contract negotiations, and ongoing relationship management.
• Coordinate demonstrations, proof-of-concepts, pilot programs, and implementation planning activities.
• Partner with Legal, Compliance, Information Security, Risk Management, and Information Technology teams during vendor evaluations.
• Monitor vendor performance and ensure service levels support organizational objectives.

Payments & Digital Solutions Development

Lead initiatives involving:

• Faster or real-time payments
• International Payments and Cross-Border Payment Solutions
• Stablecoin and Digital Asset Payment Solutions
• Treasury Management Enhancements
• Online and Mobile Banking Capabilities
• Commercial Payment Services
• Embedded Banking and API-Based Solutions
• Digital Account Opening and Client Onboarding Solutions
• Emerging Payment Technologies
• Evaluate opportunities to expand payment capabilities and improve payment processing efficiency.
• Partner with business lines to identify unmet client needs and develop innovative solutions.

Risk Management & Governance

• Collaborate with Compliance, Risk Management, Information Security, Fraud Prevention, and Operations teams to identify and mitigate risks associated with new products, services, vendors, and technologies.
• Develop implementation frameworks, policies, procedures, controls, and monitoring programs supporting new solutions.
• Ensure solutions meet regulatory requirements, network rules, and internal risk management standards.
• Participate in risk assessments, vendor management reviews, audits, and examinations related to implemented solutions.
• Establish metrics and reporting to monitor performance, risk exposure, and adoption rates.

Cross-Functional Collaboration

Partner with:

• Sales Leadership
• Operations Teams
• Information Technology
• Compliance
• Risk Management
• Information Security
• Finance
• Marketing

to evaluate opportunities, prioritize initiatives, and support successful implementation efforts.

• Facilitate alignment between business objectives, technology capabilities, operational requirements, and regulatory expectations.
• Present recommendations, project updates, and strategic initiatives to senior management and executive committees.

ADDITIONAL RESPONSIBILITIES

• Maintain deep expertise in payment systems, digital banking capabilities, industry regulations, and emerging financial technologies.
• Participate in industry groups, conferences, and professional organizations to maintain awareness of industry developments.
• Demonstrate professionalism, leadership, accountability, and a commitment to continuous improvement.
• Maintain high standards of quality work, attendance, and appearance.
• Adhere to all company policies, procedures, and regulations.
• Perform additional duties as assigned related to the position.

SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITIES

This position is not responsible directly managing people; however, primary responsibilities include leading cross-functional initiatives and influencing stakeholders across multiple departments.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

• Bachelor's degree in Business, Finance, Information Systems, Technology Management, or a related field preferred.
• 7+ years of experience in banking, treasury management, payment systems, financial technology, digital banking, product management, or related financial services roles.
• Demonstrated experience leading complex technology implementations and cross-functional projects.
• Strong knowledge of:
  • ACH
  • Wire Transfers
  • Card Payments
  • Real-Time Payments
  • Treasury Management Services
  • Digital Banking Platforms
  • Core Banking Systems
  • Payment Network Operations
• Experience evaluating and managing third-party vendors and technology providers.
• Knowledge of banking regulations, payment network rules, risk management practices, and vendor management standards.
• Strong analytical, organizational, project management, and problem-solving skills.
• Excellent communication and presentation skills with the ability to engage executives, business leaders, and technical teams.
• Ability to navigate ambiguity, build consensus, and drive initiatives to successful completion.
• Entrepreneurial mindset with a demonstrated ability to identify opportunities and execute strategic initiatives
• Occasional travel required

COMPETENCIES:

• Strategic Thinking
• Innovation
• Technology Acumen
• Project Leadership
• Change Management
• Risk Management
• Vendor Management
• Business Partnership
• Communication
• Initiative
• Decision Making
• Results Orientation
• Collaboration
• Problem Solving

PHYSICAL DEMANDS: In general, the following physical demands are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to allow differently abled individuals to perform the essential functions of the job.

• Standing, walking and squatting less than fifty percent of the work shift
• Required to lift, move and carry up to 40 pounds
• Ability to read, count and write to accurately complete all documentation and reports
• Must be able to see, hear and speak in order to communicate with employees and other clients
• Specific vision abilities include close vision, distance vision, peripheral vision, depth perception and ability to adjust focus
• Manual dexterity required using hands to finger; handle, feel and type; reach with hands and arms

(Check the box that applies by double clicking on the box.)

Sedentary: Limited activity, no lifting, limited walking

Moderate: Mostly standing, walking, bending, frequent lifting

X Light: Office work, some lifting, bending, stooping or kneeling, walking

Arduous: Heavy lifting, bending, crawling, climbing

WORK ENVIRONMENT: In general, the following conditions of the work environment are representative of those that an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to allow differently abled individuals to perform the essential functions of the job within the environment.

• The workspace is clean, orderly, properly lighted and ventilated with the proper safety compliance
• Noise levels are considered moderate