JOB SUMMARY:The Payments Program Manager leads the execution of strategic payment initiatives across the organization and serves as the primary liaison among Payments, Digital Banking, Product, Technology, Operations, Compliance, Finance, and external vendors. The role drives implementation, governance, and adoption across debit cards, credit cards, digital payments, disputes, settlement improvements, fraud controls, rewards, and emerging payment technologies, with a focus on coordination, execution, and measurable results.
ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:- Establish, lead, and continuously improve project governance structures for the payments program and its related initiatives.
- Develop program roadmaps, implementation plans, milestones, and performance measures.
- Monitor project status, budget impacts, risks, dependencies, and issue resolution activities.
- Prepare executive-level updates, status reports, and program dashboards.
- Ensure program objectives align with organizational strategy and regulatory requirements.
- Facilitate steering committee, stakeholder, and project team meetings.
- Lead complex cross-functional projects involving payment products, services, processes, and vendors.
- Define project scope, objectives, deliverables, timelines, and resource requirements.
- Coordinate activities across internal teams and external partners; track performance and implement corrective actions as needed.
- Manage project documentation, change requests, decisions, assumptions, and risks.
- Support business case development and benefits realization tracking.
- Support strategic initiatives involving debit, credit, ACH, wires, real-time payments, digital wallet integrations, card controls, disputes, and other payment services.
- Evaluate opportunities to improve member experience, operational effectiveness, and program performance.
- Conduct research, analysis, and benchmarking to support strategic recommendations, product enhancements, and implementation planning.
- Serve as a key liaison with payment processors, card networks, fintech partners, and service providers.
- Coordinate implementation activities, testing efforts, and production deployments.
- Monitor vendor performance against contractual commitments and service expectations; support vendor governance, issue management, and strategic relationships.
- Partner with Compliance, Risk, Information Security, and Audit teams to incorporate applicable regulatory, operational, and security requirements.
- Identify and escalate program risks and control gaps, and support audit requests, examinations, and regulatory reviews.
- Build effective relationships and facilitate collaboration among business leaders, operational teams, project participants, and external partners.
- Communicate program status, risks, and key decisions to leadership and stakeholders.
- Exercise independent judgment in managing projects, priorities, risks, and stakeholder relationships.
- Recommend strategic and operational improvements based on program performance and business needs.
- Influence outcomes through collaboration, communication, and effective program governance.
- Provide leadership for cross-functional project teams without direct supervisory responsibility.
KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS & COMPETENCIES:- Strong project and program management skills, including knowledge of project management methodologies and best practices.
- Excellent organizational, analytical, and problem-solving abilities.
- Ability to manage multiple priorities and competing deadlines.
- Strong written, verbal, presentation, and stakeholder communication skills.
- Ability to develop executive presentations, status reports, dashboards, and governance materials.
- Ability to work effectively across functions and influence outcomes without direct authority.
- Proficiency with Microsoft Office applications and project management tools.
MIN QUALIFICATIONS:- Five or more years of experience in program management, project management, payments, financial services, or a related field.
- Experience managing complex cross-functional projects and strategic initiatives.
PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS:- Experience working with payment products, card programs, ACH, real-time payments, wire services, or related payment operations.
- Experience managing vendor relationships and implementation efforts.
- Project Management Professional (PMP) certification.
- Payments industry certification or related financial services credential.
- Bachelor's degree in Business Administration, Finance, Project Management, Information Systems, or a related field, or an equivalent combination of education and experience.
- Experience working the financial industry.
JOB CONDITIONS:- Hybrid work environment; occasional travel may be required. Standard business hours apply.
Additional Information:Pay range and additional compensation details to be determined based on experience and internal equity.
OnPoint employees are rewarded, acknowledged and appreciated! We take care of our Members, and OnPoint takes care of us by offering employees a generous vacation package, incentives, competitive hourly pay, 100% - paid employee medical, dental and vision premiums, Tri-Met / parking passes, 401k matching, tuition reimbursement and more!
