Payments Manager - Rahway, NJ

Position Summary The Director of Payments will help lead the strategic direction, operational quality, and innovation of the credit union's payments ecosystem, including card services, ACH, wires, digital payments, real‑time payments (RTP), and emerging fintech integrations. This individual will play a critical role in driving member satisfaction, improving efficiencies, and ensuring regulatory compliance while advancing the credit union's payments strategy in alignment with its growth objectives. Key Responsibilities Operations & Oversight Oversee all payments‑related operations including debit/credit/prepaid card programs, ACH, wire transfers, bill pay, mobile/digital payments, P2P, and merchant services. Ensure seamless, secure, and efficient end‑to‑end payment processing and servicing. Establish and track KPIs for performance, member experience, and operational efficiency. Risk & Compliance Maintain strong controls and procedures to comply with all applicable laws and regulations, including NACHA, Reg E, Reg Z, PCI DSS, and FFIEC guidelines. Champion the credit union's enterprise risk management strategy of "Slow Down, Stop, Escalate". Team Leadership Lead and develop the payments team with clear roles and responsibilities. Foster a culture of accountability, innovation, and continuous improvement. Vendor & Partner Management Manage relationships with payment processors, core providers, card networks, fintech partners, and other third‑party vendors. Negotiate contracts and ensure vendors deliver on SLAs, security requirements, and member experience standards. Cross‑Functional Collaboration Work closely with Digital Banking, IT, Marketing, Member Services, and Finance to deliver cohesive and member‑centric payment experiences. Support new product launches and core system initiatives from a payments perspective. Qualifications Bachelor's Degree in business, Finance, Information Systems, or related field; MBA or other advanced degree preferred. Minimum five years of experience in financial services with a focus on payments; at least two years in a leadership role. Deep understanding of the U.S. payments landscape, including card networks, ACH, RTP, Zelle, FedNow, and digital wallets. Proven track record in vendor management, strategic planning, and regulatory compliance. Strong analytical, negotiation, and project management skills. Exceptional leadership, interpersonal, and communication abilities. Preferred Experience Experience in a credit union or mid‑size financial institution or fintech. Familiarity with Jack Henry Symitar, Velera/PSCU, Fiserv Debit, EPN/The Clearing House, Alloya. Successful delivery of payment modernization or digital transformation initiatives. Experience working with or integrating fintech solutions. Why Join Us? At our Company Employees Federal Credit Union, we pride ourselves on putting our members first while embracing innovation and growth. As Director of Payments, you'll have the opportunity to shape the future of payments for a forward‑thinking, financially strong institution with a strong member base and a collaborative, mission‑driven culture. Compensation and Benefits Salary Range: $79,200.00 – $124,700.00 The successful candidate will be eligible for annual bonus and long‑term incentive, if applicable. We offer a comprehensive package of benefits, including medical, dental, vision, retirement (401(k)), paid holidays, vacation, and compassionate and sick days. More information about benefits is available at Equal Employment Opportunity As an Equal Employment Opportunity Employer, we provide equal opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment and prohibit discrimination on the basis of race, color, age, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, protected veteran status, disability status, or other applicable legally protected characteristics. We comply with all affirmative action requirements as a federal contractor and for individuals with disabilities. Location US and Puerto Rico Residents Only. San Francisco Residents Only: We will consider qualified applicants with arrest and conviction records for employment in compliance with the San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance. Los Angeles Residents Only: We will consider for employment all qualified applicants, including those with criminal histories, in a manner consistent with the requirements of applicable state and local laws, including the City of Los Angeles' Fair Chance Initiative for Hiring Ordinance. #J-18808-Ljbffr Merck & Co.