Banking Services Department Manager (Director, Enterprise Payment Operations)

Overview: Responsible for the leadership, oversight, and optimization of all bank-wide payment processing functions. This role ensures the safe, efficient, and compliant execution of payment operations across multiple rails, including ACH, wire transfers, real-time payments, Zelle and digital assets. The Director drives operational excellence, risk management, and continuous improvement while supporting strategic payment initiatives and client service delivery. Primary Responsibilities: Operational Leadership Lead end-to-end payment operations across all payment types: ACH (consumer and commercial) Domestic and international wires Real-time payments (RTP, FedNow) Zelle Digital assets (stablecoin) Ensure timely, accurate, and efficient processing aligned with service level agreements (SLAs) Oversee daily operations of multiple sites, workflow management, and capacity planning Responsible for all financial planning and performance across multiple cost centers Process Optimization & Continuous Improvement Identify and implement process improvements, automation, and workflow enhancements Drive operational efficiency, cost reduction, and scalability initiatives Establish and monitor performance metrics (KPIs, SLAs, error rates, throughput) Lead root cause analysis and corrective action efforts for operational issues Risk, Compliance & Controls Ensure compliance with regulatory requirements and industry rules, including: NACHA operating rules ISO requirements Wire transfer regulations (Reg E, UCC) BSA/AML, OFAC, and fraud prevention protocols Maintain strong internal controls, audit readiness, and governance practices Partner with Risk, Compliance, and Audit to address findings and mitigate risks Oversee payment fraud detection, escalation, and resolution processes Client & Service Delivery Ensure high-quality service delivery for internal and external clients Manage issue resolution, exception handling, and escalations Partner with Treasury Management, Commercial Banking, and Retail teams to support client needs Improve client experience through operational excellence and responsiveness Technology & Systems Management Partner with technology teams to support payment platforms, system enhancements, and upgrades Ensure operational readiness for new payment products and services Support implementation of new technologies (automation tools, APIs, workflow systems) Participate in payment modernization initiatives Experience with payments orchestration layer a plus Team Leadership & Development Lead, mentor, and develop a team of payment operations professionals Establish clear goals, performance expectations, and development plans Foster a culture of accountability, continuous improvement, and operational excellence Manage staffing, training, and talent planning Vendor & Partner Management Oversee third-party service providers and payment processors Monitor vendor performance against contractual SLAs Support vendor selection, onboarding, and ongoing relationship management Ensures quality standards are maintained in accordance with Bank, Division and Department policy and all activities of the department are completed in compliance with defined processes and regulations. Work with senior management within and outside of Banking Services and has input to the overall strategic planning of the Division. Identify initiatives that support the bank’s strategic imperatives and specific Banking Services objectives – this includes looking at newer technologies that help grow the business lines supported. Maintain M&T internal control standards, including timely implementation of internal and external audit points together with any issues raised by external regulators as applicable. Supervisory/Managerial Responsibilities: 5 to 10 direct reports Education and Experience Required: Bachelor’s Degree and a minimum of 11 years’ relevant work experience or in lieu of degree, a combined minimum of 15 years’ higher education and/or relevant work experience Minimum of 4 years’ managerial work experience Strong understanding and practical skills in process improvement Strong analytical skills Strong, demonstrated leadership skills Effective communication skills. Experience managing multiple tasks for various projects and/or assignments Understanding and experience managing budget and/or finances of a unit or multiple units Education and Experience Preferred: Deep knowledge of: ACH, wire, real-time payments, & digital assets, payment lifecycle, settlement, and exception handling and regulatory and compliance requirements related to payments Experience with operational transformation, process improvement, or automation initiatives Operational excellence and execution focus Risk and control discipline M&T Bank is committed to fair, competitive, and market-informed pay for our employees. The pay range for this position is $154,700.00 - $257,900.00 Annual (USD). The successful candidate’s particular combination of knowledge, skills, and experience will inform their specific compensation. Location Amherst, New York, United States of America Great companies have an enduring sense of purpose. At M&T, our purpose is a simple one: make a difference in people’s lives and uplift the communities we serve. M&T Bank Corporation is a financial holding company headquartered in Buffalo, New York. M&T’s affiliates offer advice, guidance, expertise and solutions across the entire financial spectrum, combining M&T Bank’s traditional banking services with the wealth management and institutional capabilities offered by Wilmington Trust. M&T Bank has a network of over 1,000 branches and 2,200 ATMs that span 12 states from Maine to Virginia and Washington, D.C. For more than 165 years, M&T has strived to take an active role in our communities and build long-lasting relationships with our customers. We are a bank for communities—combining the capabilities of a large bank with the care of a locally focused institution. As an employer of choice, we are proud to offer competitive benefits ranging from medical and retirement to forty hours of paid volunteer time, each year. Our core values – integrity, ownership, collaboration, curiosity, and candor – drive the work we do. We seek to further build upon our record of success by bringing in top talent and fresh skill sets while continuing to support the growth and development of all our team members. View M&T’s Human Capital Report to learn more. Ready to join our team? Submit your application today! If you are unable to apply through this site due to technical issues or need an accommodation to apply, please contact us at View email address on click.appcast.io for assistance. M&T Bank is unwavering when it comes to providing equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants without regard to race, color, national origin, religion, ethnicity, sex, gender identity, age, disability, citizenship, pregnancy, veteran status, military status, marital status, sexual orientation, genetic information or any other characteristic protected under applicable federal, state or local laws. 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