Vice President, Payment Operations

The Vice President, Payment Operations is a leadership role responsible for the oversight, operational excellence, and continuous evolution of Carlyle's end-to-end procure-to-pay process. This leader will bring deep expertise in complex financial operations, a sharp instinct for process innovation, and the executive presence required to drive critical outcomes across a matrixed, global organization. The VP will lead and develop a high-performing team, navigating competing priorities and compressed timelines without sacrificing accuracy or compliance. This individual thrives under pressure, is an exceptional problem-solver, and possesses the agility to rapidly absorb complex firm structures, processes, and stakeholder dynamics. They will serve as a trusted partner to senior leadership, fund & firm operations, and technology teams. They will also engage with external banking partners, consultants and auditors in support of daily operations. The VP will operate at the intersection of finance, technology, and operations with direct visibility to senior Finance leadership and influence over how Carlyle manages its most critical financial workflows. In-Office Requirement: 4 days a week Responsibilities Payment Operations Ownership (Primary Focus ~60%) Serve as the policy and process owner for all Carlyle procure-to-pay activities; act as a key governance stakeholder for the Appian payment modules, ensuring platform integrity and compliance with firm standards Oversee and continuously monitor end-to-end payment operations processes, ensuring all requests across firm, fund, and deal transactions are handled accurately, prioritized appropriately, and resolved proactively Lead engagement with key stakeholders through structured weekly and monthly cadences to anticipate deal activity, align on transaction priorities, and ensure critical payment dates are met without exception Orchestrate cross-functional coordination with Payment Operations, Technology, and external banking partners to manage downstream infrastructure requirements and enable seamless execution of complex, high-value transactions Own and administer the US Corporate Credit Card program; provide oversight of T&E reimbursement processes – ensuring policy compliance and risk mitigation Review and approve reconciliations prepared by the team for Accounts Payable and Sales & Use tax accounts; lead and own the Abandoned & Unclaimed Property compliance process Serve as the primary point of contact on audits; lead coordinated responses to information requests and maintain comprehensive, audit-ready SOX documentation for all Payment Operations processes Develop and report on a robust metrics and KPI framework to measure SLA performance, policy adherence, and payment trends across Carlyle; enforce SLAs with rigor to ensure timely processing and exception management Innovation, Technology & Process Transformation (~20%) Cultivate a culture of continuous improvement by regularly evaluating existing processes, identifying inefficiencies, and designing and implementing scalable solutions that keep pace with evolving business and stakeholder needs Partner with Technology teams to conceptualize, solution, and deploy automation initiatives and system enhancements that reduce manual effort, increase throughput, and elevate control environments Apply a rapid-learning approach to quickly understand complex system architectures, firm structures, and interdependencies – translating that knowledge into actionable process improvements and stakeholder recommendations Lead or contribute to firm-wide special projects and cross-functional initiatives as required, bringing intellectual curiosity, structured thinking, and a bias for action Leadership & Team Management (~20%) Lead, mentor, and develop a team of payment operations professionals, establishing a culture of accountability, innovation, and continuous improvement in a high-volume, deadline-driven environment Set clear performance expectations and provide ongoing coaching, training, and career development to unlock optimal team performance and retention Drive team through tight transaction deadlines by deploying effective prioritization frameworks, escalation protocols, and resource allocation strategies Model and instill a proactive problem-solving mindset, empowering team members to anticipate challenges and devise solutions independently Qualifications Education & Certificates Concentration in Accounting, Finance, Business Administration, or a related discipline, preferred Professional Experience 10+ years of overall relevant accounting experience, required Progressive experience in payment operations, accounts payable, finance operations, or a related function, with at least 4–5 years in a people leadership role, required Prior experience in private equity, asset management, or a comparably complex financial services environment strongly preferred Prior experience working with banking partners for cash management and wire transactions Bachelor's degree in Accounting, Finance, Business Administration, or a related discipline required Prior experience with Treasury Management Systems and banking portals strongly preferred Demonstrated success leading process transformation and technology-enabled automation initiatives at scale Problem Solving & Innovation Exceptional analytical and creative problem-solving skills; proven ability to diagnose root causes, develop options, and implement durable solutions in ambiguous or novel situations Strong instinct for innovation – consistently identifies opportunities to challenge the status quo, introduce new approaches, and push beyond incremental improvement Ability to synthesize complexity and communicate clear, actionable recommendations to senior stakeholders Agility & Intellectual Curiosity Quick learner with a demonstrated ability to rapidly absorb and navigate complex organizational structures, financial processes, and technical systems Able to operate with incomplete information; able to build knowledge quickly and apply it effectively across unfamiliar domains Communication & Stakeholder Management Exceptional verbal and written communication skills; able to convey complex operational and technical concepts to executive, business, and non-technical audiences with equal clarity Executive presence with credibility and relationship-building skills to influence at all levels of a global, matrixed organization and with external banking partners to ensure cash management activities Proven track record of delivering outstanding internal and external client service, with a commitment to accuracy, responsiveness, and reliability Technical & Functional Expertise Deep knowledge of procure-to-pay operations, accounts payable, supplier management, and corporate payment programs within a large, complex institutional environment Strong command of SOX compliance requirements, audit management, and internal controls frameworks Advanced proficiency in Microsoft Excel required; strong working knowledge of Appian and Microsoft Suite preferred Prior experience with Treasury Management Systems, cash management oversight, and banking portals strongly preferred Familiarity with private equity, asset management, or financial services firm structures and fund/deal transaction processes preferred The compensation range for this role is specific to Washington, DC and takes into account a wide range of factors including but not limited to the skill sets required/preferred; prior experience and training; licenses and/or certifications. The anticipated base salary range for this role is $170,000 to $190,000. In addition to the base salary, the hired professional will enjoy a comprehensive benefits package spanning retirement benefits, health insurance, life insurance and disability, paid time off, paid holidays, family planning benefits and various wellness programs. Additionally, the hired professional may also be eligible to participate in an annual discretionary incentive program, the award of which will be dependent on various factors, including, without limitation, individual and organizational performance. #J-18808-Ljbffr