Payment Operations Managers direct the mechanics of how money enters, navigates, and leaves an organization. While general operations managers supervise broad operational functions, payment operations managers specialize in settlement cycles, ledgering, authorization optimization, and clearing house protocols. Daily work revolves around monitoring payment flows, resolving clearing anomalies, tracking reconciliation reports, and partnering with technical teams to address gateway or processing disruptions. They frequently liaise with external banking partners, card networks, and payment service providers to manage vendor delivery and maintain service level agreements.The environment balances methodical financial precision with rapid response to operational volatility, such as processing outages, fraud spikes, or scheme rule changes. Successful managers combine administrative and personnel management abilities with strong quantitative and analytical skills. They interpret performance data, improve dunning and retry logic, mitigate chargeback liabilities, and maintain strict adherence to financial regulations such as NACHA rules, BSA/AML, and Regulation E.
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Responsibilities
Manage daily payment execution and money movement across ACH, wire transfers, debit rails, and alternative digital payment methods.
Oversee financial settlement, ledgering, and transaction reconciliation workflows to ensure operational accuracy.
Mitigate transaction risks by directing fraud prevention initiatives, chargeback dispute processes, and exception handling.
Ensure strict compliance with regulatory standards and card scheme rules, including NACHA, Regulation E, OFAC, and BSA/AML requirements.
Lead, train, and allocate resources for teams of payment specialists, operational analysts, and subordinate supervisors.
Manage relationships, contract performance, and service level agreements with banking partners, processors, and payment vendors.
Qualifications
At least five years of professional experience in payment operations, banking, financial services, or treasury management.
Demonstrated experience in leadership, supervisory roles, or cross-functional project management.
Comprehensive knowledge of transaction lifecycles, clearing and settlement mechanisms, and reconciliation processes.
Strong working knowledge of payments regulatory frameworks, such as NACHA rules, card network guidelines, or anti-money laundering controls.
Bachelor's degree in business administration, finance, operations, or an equivalent practical discipline.
Nice to Have
Experience operating within high-growth fintech or subscription e-commerce platforms.
Technical familiarity with payment orchestration platforms, SQL, business intelligence tools, or AI-driven automation workflows.
Direct experience managing card network relationships such as Visa and Mastercard scheme operations and BIN management.
Environment
Typical workplace arrangement is hybrid or remote, centered in standard office environments or corporate headquarters.
Work schedule centers on standard business hours, though on-call availability may be required during critical system incidents or financial close cycles.
High level of cross-functional collaboration with engineering, risk, legal, and customer support departments.
Heavy reliance on financial management software, payment gateways, database query tools, and data analytics dashboards.
Benefits & Growth
Compensation packages commonly include performance-based annual bonuses and, in technology or startup environments, equity grants.
Standard benefits typically encompass comprehensive health coverage, retirement match programs, and paid time off.
Upward career mobility leads toward roles such as Director of Payment Operations, Head of Financial Operations, or Chief Operating Officer.
Professional development opportunities include advanced industry certifications in treasury management, fraud examination, or financial compliance.