Margin Optimization Strategy Director

The Commercial Strategy Director is an individual contributor responsible for identifying, investigating, and resolving revenue leakage across the Biller/Speedpay business.

This role owns the net revenue optimization program - systematically identifying revenue opportunities and rapidly addressing leakage from interchange issues, billing exceptions, and process gaps - and drives resolution through cross-functional coordination with FP&A, Client Success, Product, and Back Office Operations.

In addition to the revenue integrity function, this leader takes on complex, amorphous business problems that cut across teams and require both analytical rigor and strong organizational navigation to solve.

Success in this role is measured by the revenue recovered and protected, the quality of the analytical frameworks built, and the ability to drive outcomes without direct authority.

Essential Functions and Responsibilities

Revenue Integrity & Commercial Optimization

• Systematically identify revenue opportunities and rapidly address leakage across interchange issues, billing exceptions, IC processing errors, and fee waiver patterns
• Build and maintain a framework for monitoring net revenue performance vs. expected economics, providing early-warning visibility to leadership on gaps between contracted and realized value
• Analyze revenue operations data to surface trends, quantify exposure, and prioritize remediation efforts across the portfolio
• Steer FP&A, Client Success Management, Product, and Back Office Operations to close identified gaps and implement durable controls - driving outcomes through influence rather than direct ownership
• Partner with the Pricing team to ensure commercial constructs are operationally executable and that realized economics match contracted terms

Strategic Problem Solving & Special Projects

• Serve as an internal problem-solver for complex, cross-functional challenges that lack a clear owner - scoping the problem, identifying root causes, and driving resolution
• Lead diagnosis and resolution of complex, cross-functional business problems - scoping issues, identifying root causes, and driving action across teams
• Support strategic initiatives as directed by the SVP, including competitive analysis, partnership evaluations, and business case development for new revenue streams
• Synthesize findings into clear, compelling communications for senior leadership and external stakeholders
• Identify systemic process gaps and design scalable solutions in partnership with relevant functional leads

Cross-Functional Coordination

• Act as a connective layer between Finance, Product, Operations, and Client Success on revenue-impacting issues, ensuring aligned prioritization and accountability
• Facilitate regular reviews with functional stakeholders to track progress against revenue optimization goals
• Develop internal networks across ACI to surface opportunities and remove obstacles to revenue capture
• Perform other duties as assigned

Qualifications (Education, Experience, Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities)

• 10+ years of experience in analytics, strategy, finance, or a related function within payments, fintech, or financial services
• Demonstrated ability to take an ambiguous problem, structure the analysis, and drive to a clear recommendation and outcome
• Strong analytical skills with proficiency in data analysis tools; able to build and maintain financial models and reporting frameworks
• Expected to leverage AI-enabled tools and digital capabilities to enhance productivity, accelerate analysis, improve decision-making, and identify opportunities for process improvement while exercising sound business judgment and accountability for outcomes.
• Excellent cross-functional collaboration and communication skills; track record of influencing without authority
• Experience working with or alongside FP&A, Client Success, and Operations teams
• BA/BS degree required

Competencies

• Analytical rigor - ability to build structured frameworks for complex, data-intensive problems
• Independent execution - takes ownership of ambiguous problems and drives to resolution with minimal direction
• Commercial acumen - understands the economics of a payments business and can connect operational issues to financial outcomes
• Influence and collaboration - builds trust and drives action across functions without formal authority
• Communication - translates complex findings into clear, executive-ready narratives
• Adaptability - comfortable operating in a fast-paced environment with shifting priorities

Preferred Qualifications (Education, Experience, Competencies)

• MBA or advanced degree strongly preferred
• Deep understanding of interchange economics, acquiring cost structures, and the operational drivers of net revenue in a payments business
• Knowledge of ACI Speedpay products, platforms, or customer base
• Experience in management consulting, corporate strategy, or a BizOps role
• Prior exposure to EBPP, utility billing, consumer finance, or insurance payment verticals
• Familiarity with Salesforce, Gainsight, or equivalent CRM and CS tooling

Work Environment:

• Standard work environment
• Majority of time spent on PC (Phys. Req.)
• Travel required

Core Capabilities:

We seek colleagues who embody our core capabilities - these shape our culture and enable us to make a meaningful impact together:

• Ensure Accountability: holding self and others accountable to meet commitments.
• Drives Results: consistently achieving results, even under tough circumstances.
• Customer Focus: building strong customer relationships and delivering customer-centric solutions.
• Cultivate Innovation: creating new and better ways for the organization to be successful.
• Collaborates: building partnerships and working collaboratively with others.
• Courage: stepping up to address difficult issues, saying what needs to be said.

Applicants must be currently authorized to work in the US on a full-time basis. This position does not offer sponsorship for employment visa status or work permit now or in the future.

I n return for your expertise, we offer opportunities for growth, career development, and a competitive compensation and benefits package-all within an innovative and collaborative work environment.

Are you ready to help us transform the payments ecosystem? To learn more about ACI Worldwide, visit our web site at www.aciworldwide.com or careers.aciworldwide.com , requisition #19697

ACI Worldwide is an AA/EEO employer in the United States, which includes providing equal opportunity for protected veterans and individuals with disabilities, and an EEO employer globally.

Important Notice About Recruitment Scams
Job seekers should be aware of ongoing recruitment scams where individuals or organizations impersonate legitimate companies to offer fake job opportunities. These scams often involve requests for personal information, payments, or interviews through unofficial channels. Please be cautious and verify any communications claiming to be from our company ( www.aciworldwide.com / @aciworldwide.com).

The ACI Worldwide recruitment team will always follow official channels and will never request payment.

#LI-LL1

#LI-Remote