Escalation Manager - Customer Care Centers

Why Bank OZK

Founded on a legacy of more than 120 years in banking, Bank OZK is much more than just a company. We're nationally recognized as an industry leader in financial services. That means we combine exceptional service with innovative technologies to deliver smart solutions to our clients across the country. We're investing in small businesses, fueling economies in local communities and changing skylines in the largest cities across America. Here, we're not simply filling roles. We're fostering even greater careers.

The foundation for a great career starts with an exceptional team and a comprehensive benefits package. We believe in providing our dedicated team members with the best resources to support their physical, mental and financial wellbeing, including generous PTO, 401(k) matching, health, dental, vision (and pet!) insurance as well as special perks and discounts.

Job Purpose & Scope

Leads day-to-day management of the escalation queue, providing real-time decision support on complex and high-risk interactions. The role ensures escalations are handled consistently, properly documented, and aligned with financial crimes standards, including identification and reporting of suspicious activity. Partners with Customer Care leadership and Financial Crimes Risk Management to support sound risk management practices and reinforces fraud-aware call handling.

Essential Job Functions

1. Responsible for the Customer Care Escalation Queue, providing guidance and decision support to ensure responses align with established standards, with a focus on consistent decisioning, clear accountability, and disciplined follow-through.
2. Support improved escalation outcomes by coaching on-the-spot during live escalations and ensuring the escalation pathway is used appropriately.
3. Reinforce Customer Care standards for identifying and responding to unusual activity, including the requirement to submit an Unusual Incident Report (UIR) when appropriate.
4. Ensure escalated cases are handled with appropriate documentation expectations and handoffs, including escalation to leadership and/or Financial Crimes Risk Management resources when required by procedure.
5. Partners with stakeholders to continuously improve processes and refine procedures in response to evolving risk.
6. Prepares and delivers reporting on escalation activity, trends, and outcomes to support leadership visibility and decision-making.
7. Coordinates with cross-functional partners to resolve complex escalations and ensure alignment with operational, compliance, and risk requirements.
8. Responsible for hiring, developing, coaching, leading, and retaining top talent capable of high-level performance in their respective positions.
9. Performs other duties as assigned.

Knowledge, Skills & Abilities

1. Ability to utilize discretion and sound judgment in decision-making.
2. Strong decision-making ability in escalated customer interactions.
3. Ability to demonstrate excellent and customer service skills, balancing customer experience with risk controls.
4. Ability to communicate effectively both verbally and in writing with the ability to provide calm, clear, direction during live escalations.
5. Strong documentation discipline and ability to reinforce procedural adherence.
6. Ability to maintain confidentiality
7. Ability to demonstrate accuracy, thoroughness, and attention to detail.
8. Ability to demonstrate effective interpersonal skills to build collaborative work relationships and create a team environment

Basic Qualifications

1. High school diploma or equivalent required; Bachelor's degree in business or relevant field preferred.
2. 5+ years of work experience in a call center, customer service, banking operations, and/or retail banking environment required.
3. 2+ years of work experience in contact center risk support, fraud servicing, or escalations required.
4. 1+ year experience leading or influencing frontline teams through coaching, real-time guidance, and process reinforcement required.

Job Expectations

Operate customary equipment and technology used in a business environment, with or without accommodation.

Note: This description is not an exhaustive list of all job functions, duties, skills, and job standards required. Other job functions, duties, skills, and standards may be added. Management reserves the right to add or change the job requirements at any time.

EEO Statement

Bank OZK is an equal opportunity employer and gives consideration for employment to qualified applicants without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, sexual orientation, gender identity, disability status, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state, and local law. Member FDIC.