Product Strategist

Title: Product Strategist
Location: Merrifield, VA (Hybrid 3x/week)
Duration: Initial 6 Month Contract with Potential Extensions
Compensation: $50-60/HR W2
Work Requirements: US Citizen, GC Holders

This contractor role supports the Events, Offers & Incentives (EOI) team by managing and coordinating the end-to-end onboarding and operational readiness of vendors and merchants participating in debit card offers, incentives, and events. The role focuses on ensuring merchants move efficiently from intake through approvals, onboarding, and launch within the card ecosystem.

The position works cross-functionally with internal teams and external vendors to support a consistent, compliant, and scalable onboarding experience. Execution is supported through disciplined work management using Azure DevOps (ADO) to track progress, manage dependencies, and support timely delivery.

Responsibilities

• Support the end-to-end vendor and merchant onboarding process for debit offers, incentives, and events
• Coordinate merchant and vendor opportunities from initial intake through approvals, onboarding, and launch readiness
• Partner with internal stakeholders (product, marketing, operations, legal, risk, compliance, and analytics) to ensure onboarding requirements are met
• Serve as a point of coordination for external vendors and merchants, supporting alignment on scope, timelines, and operational needs
• Track onboarding activities, milestones, risks, and dependencies using Azure DevOps (ADO)
• Maintain accurate visibility into the vendor and merchant pipeline, including status, blockers, and readiness
• Support standardized onboarding processes, documentation, and communications to improve consistency and efficiency
• Prepare clear summaries and materials for leadership updates, vendor reviews, and program status reporting
• Review and interpret performance data (engagement, redemption, usage) to support prioritization and operational decision-making
• Capture decisions, track action items, and support follow-through across internal teams and external partners

Qualifications and Soft Skill Requirements

Required Qualifications

• Experience supporting vendor or merchant onboarding, operations, or partnership management in payments, offers, loyalty, or related programs
• Familiarity with cross-functional onboarding processes involving legal, risk, compliance, and operations
• Strong working experience using Azure DevOps (ADO) or similar work management tools
• Ability to review performance data and support data-informed prioritization and recommendations

Soft Skill Requirements

• Strong organizational and execution skills with attention to detail
• Clear and professional communication skills for working with internal teams and external vendors
• Ability to manage multiple workstreams and deadlines in a fast-paced environment
• Collaborative, proactive, and solution-oriented approach to problem-solving

Desired Skills

• Experience in debit, credit, payments, or card-based programs, including vendor or merchant onboarding
• Direct experience working with external vendors, merchants, processors, acquirers, or payment partners
• Familiarity with enterprise intake, approval, compliance, risk, and governance processes
• Educational background in a related field such as Business, Finance, Operations, Information Systems, or Marketing
• Experience working in financial services, banking, payments, or fintech environments
• Strong PowerPoint skills with the ability to create clear, operationally focused, executive-ready materials

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