Principal, Business Consulting - Payments Functional Program Manager (Basking Ridge)

Job DescriptionPrincipal , Business Consulting – Payments Functional Program ManagerPractice: Financial Services, Infosys ConsultingFocus: High Value Payments (HVP) Modernization | ISO 20022 | COTS on Microservices | Agentic AIRole SummaryInfosys Consulting’s Financial Services practice is seeking a seasoned Functional Program Manager to lead a Payments Modernization program for a Tier 1 financial institution. You will drive the replacement of legacy mainframe systems with a COTS product, and forward engineer rail agnostic capabilities on a cloud/microservices platform, incorporating agentic AI to enable intelligent, future ready payment flows.This is a high impact, client facing role(s) requiring deep payments expertise, strong program leadership, and a track record of delivering complex transformations in regulated environments.What You’ll DoOwn the client relationship across transformation delivery, BAU change, and support for a large U.S. bank; manage senior stakeholder expectations while maintaining profitability and growth.Lead platform modernization that includes but not limited to reverse engineering of legacy mainframe platforms, forward engineering, COTS product implementation, and upstream/downstream integrations.Direct ISO 20022 adoption and certification (e.g., Fedwire/FedNow, CBPR+); guide product configuration and customization—especially for ACI MTS and UPF.Govern program financials: budgeting, milestone billing, forecasting, pipeline management, and margin integrity.Set payments architecture direction: advocate rail agnostic orchestration, microservices patterns, cloud deployment models, and event driven integration.Shape and integrate agentic AI interventions across journeys (ops automation, dispute/exception handling, reconciliation, data quality, monetization).Lead cross functional teams (client & Infosys) to gather requirements, design data maps, ensure traceability, and manage risk/issue remediation.Support business development: solutioning, proposals, thought leadership, market relevant POVs.Ensure compliance with PCI DSS/AML/KYC, resiliency, observability, and operational excellence.Not a pure BA role—we’re seeking leaders who can span program delivery, architecture direction, and domain depth.Role Tracks (You may align to one primary track and flex across others)Program Management (Payments Modernization)Drive multi year HVP modernization with COTS, integrations, ISO migrations, certification, and executive governance.Enterprise / Solution Architecture (Payments)Define target state (rail agnostic, ISO native), microservices reference architecture, messaging, integration patterns, security, and scalability.Payments SME / AdvisoryLead consulting engagements across HVP, RTP, cross border, treasury, and ISO 20022; shape roadmaps, operating models, and AI enabled capabilities.Required QualificationsBachelor’s degree (or foreign equivalent).7+ years in payments/financial services with 3+ years in management consulting at a top tier/professional services firm. (10+ years overall experience preferred for a principal.)Deep HVP domain expertise: Fedwire/CHIPS, CBPR+, cross border, and ISO 20022 message standards (pacs/camt/pain; mapping, validation, enrichment).Delivered at least one end to end ISO 20022 migration for CBPR+ and/or Fedwire/FedNow: experience with certification and market testing. (Cards professionals are welcome with consumer and commercial card solutions E2E implementation experiences)Hands on experience across payments value chain at enterprise and ecosystem level: origination, processing, clearing/settlement, servicing, messaging—B2B, disbursements, consumer/retail.Experience with COTS Payment Hubs and processors (e.g., ACI MTS/UPF, Finastra, Fiserv) and complex integration in regulated environments.Solid understanding of legacy mainframe payment systems and modernization patterns.Proficiency in program governance & financials, stakeholder management, issue/risk management, and executive communication.Familiarity with cloud & microservices constructs (e.g., containerization, APIs, event streaming) and DevSecOps/testing management.Ability to travel extensively.Candidates authorized to work for any employer in the United States without employer-based visa sponsorship are welcome to apply. Infosys is unable to provide immigration sponsorship for this role at this time.Preferred QualificationsCertifications: PMP/PRINCE2/SAFe; TOGAF 9.2/10 (for architecture track); ISO 20022 certifications; BIS/Fed or equivalent; Agile delivery.RTP expertise: TCH RTP and FedNow implementation; vendor experience (Finastra, Fiserv) is a plus.Liquidity/Treasury: Nostro/Vostro, cash & liquidity management, payables/receivables, collections.Cross rail expertise: HVP, mass payments (ACH), immediate payments (RTP/FedNow), P2P, card (retail & commercial), tokenization, stablecoins (awareness).Data & Engineering: lineage, quality, metadata, monetization; Kafka/event streaming; API management; observability; resiliency engineering.AI in Payments: Machine Learning & Predictive Modeling (fraud, risk, anomaly detection, forecasting); GenAI/LLMs for ops automation, dispute handling, policy interpretation, developer/API copilots, and RAG; Reverse/forward engineering accelerators; MLOps and responsible AI (XAI, bias/fairness).Firm building: pre sales, POVs, conference visibility, industry research.Core Skills & Ways of WorkingThought leadership and structured problem solving; crisp storytelling for C Suite.Numbers driven program leadership: budget, schedule, scope, and benefits realization.Stakeholder management across technology, operations, risk/compliance, product, and external networks.Hands on orientation with the ability to go deep on requirements, mappings, and validation without losing the big picture.Responsibilities Snapshot (Illustrative)Stand up and run a multi wave ISO 20022 program (CBPR+, Fedwire, FedNow).Lead COTS hub implementation (e.g., ACI MTS/UPF): product fit, customization, integration, certification.Define target state architecture (rail agnostic orchestration, microservices, APIs, streaming).Implement AI/LLM use cases in payments ops, exception management, reconciliation, and data monetization.Deliver RTP via leading products (Finastra, Fiserv) as an advantage.Manage DevSecOps and testing services; ensure performance, resilience, and compliance.Build data maps and transformations for message conversion and canonical models.Drive pipeline expansion and support pursuits with solutioning and differentiated PoVs.The estimated total annual compensation (Base + Bonus) range for candidates based out on NJ, IL, NY, CA & WA will be $ 154,375 to $ 193,125EEO/About UsBenefitsAlong with competitive pay, as a full-time Infosys employee you are also eligible for the following benefits:Medical/Dental/Vision/Life InsuranceLong-term/Short-term DisabilityHealth and Dependent Care Reimbursement AccountsInsurance (Accident, Critical Illness , Hospital Indemnity, Legal)401(k) plan and contributions dependent on salary levelPaid holidays plus Paid Time OffAbout UsInfosys Consulting is a global management consulting firm helping some of the world’s most recognizable brands transform and innovate. Our consultants are industry experts that lead complex change agendas driven by disruptive technology. With offices in 20 countries and backed by the power of the global Infosys brand, our teams help the C-suite navigate today’s digital landscape to win market share and create shareholder value for lasting competitive advantage. To see our ideas in action, or to join a new type of consulting firm, visit us at EEOInfosys provides equal employment opportunities to applicants and employees without regard to race; color; sex; gender identity; sexual orientation; religious practices and observances; national origin; pregnancy, childbirth, or related medical conditions; status as a protected veteran or spouse/family member of a protected veteran; or disability.Work LocationBasking Ridge, NJ, Boston, MA, New York, NYCountryUSAState / Region / ProvinceMassachusetts, New Jersey, New YorkCompanyITL USA Interest GroupInfosys Limited Salary Min154375Salary Max193125DomainBanking, Financial servicesSkillsetProcess|Consulting processes|Technology Consulting process Job RolePrincipal - Business ConsultingAuto req ID: 146207BR