Location: Sacramento, CA
Salary: $145,000.00 USD Annually - $160,000.00 USD Annually
Description:

Senior Manager, Card Operations & Real-Time Payments

About the Opportunity

A leading financial services organization is seeking a Senior Manager of Card Operations & Real-Time Payments to lead strategic initiatives and daily operations across card servicing and modern payment platforms. This leadership role will oversee debit, credit, ATM card operations, and real-time payment services including Zelle®, FedNow®, and RTP® networks.

The ideal candidate is a collaborative operations leader with deep expertise in payments, vendor management, regulatory compliance, and large-scale financial operations. This individual will play a critical role in shaping payment strategy, enhancing member experience, optimizing operational performance, and leading high-performing teams in a fast-paced financial environment.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead all operational activities related to card services and real-time payment systems, including debit, credit, ATM, Zelle®, FedNow®, and RTP networks.
• Provide strategic leadership and direction to managers overseeing Card Service Operations, Card Programs, and Real-Time Payments teams.
• Partner with executive leadership to develop and implement new products, services, operational strategies, and payment innovations.
• Monitor product and service performance using data-driven analysis and provide recommendations to improve operational efficiency, member experience, and digital payment capabilities.
• Oversee vendor relationships, including contract negotiations, service-level management, RFP/RFI processes, and ongoing performance evaluations.
• Ensure compliance with applicable federal and state banking regulations, including Reg E, Reg Z, Credit Card Act requirements, AML/BSA standards, and payment network rules.
• Lead operational response efforts related to fraud trends, card compromises, payment disruptions, and emerging risk mitigation strategies.
• Drive project management initiatives related to payment systems, card enhancements, and operational modernization efforts.
• Develop departmental budgets, staffing forecasts, and variance reporting while maintaining operational and financial accountability.
• Serve as a senior escalation point for complex member concerns and operational issues.
• Foster a positive, inclusive, and high-performing team culture focused on leadership development, coaching, collaboration, and continuous improvement.

Qualifications

Required Experience

• 5+ years of progressive leadership experience within a financial institution or credit union environment overseeing card payment operations.
• Demonstrated experience managing card services, payment operations, or real-time payment platforms.
• Strong background in vendor management, operational strategy, and cross-functional leadership.
• Experience leading large-scale operational or technology-driven payment projects.

Education

• Bachelor’s degree in Business, Finance, Operations, or a related field preferred.
• Equivalent combination of education and relevant experience will be considered.

Preferred Skills & Expertise

• Strong understanding of payment processing ecosystems, including card networks and real-time payment rails.
• Knowledge of regulatory and compliance requirements related to payment operations and banking services.
• Proven leadership, coaching, and people management capabilities.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
• Strong analytical, organizational, and project management abilities.
• Experience with ACH processing, fraud operations, digital payments, and financial systems platforms.
• Ability to operate effectively in a fast-paced, highly regulated environment.

What You’ll Bring

• Strategic mindset with a passion for operational excellence and innovation.
• Ability to lead through change while building strong partnerships across teams and vendors.
• Commitment to delivering exceptional service and improving the member/customer experience.
• Strong problem-solving skills with the ability to balance risk, compliance, and operational efficiency.

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