Director, Payment Operations at Kitsap Credit Union in Bremerton, Washington

Job Description:

About Us:



Kitsap Credit Union is a not-for-profit, member-owned financial cooperative with more than 300 employees and 16 branches throughout Western Washington. We have a passion for making a positive difference. As a $2 + billion-asset credit union, we are deeply committed to our members' financial wellbeing and the prosperity and quality of life in the communities we serve. We are proud to be led by individuals with the experience and skills to drive our organization towards our goals for strategic growth and operational excellence. Our KCU Cares Foundation program focuses on providing resources and support for those struggling with homelessness or hunger and improving the financial well-being of the people in our communities. And beyond monetary efforts, we have provided thousands of hours in staff volunteerism and in-kind support.

At Kitsap Credit Union, our success is built on trust-based relationships and personalized service. We understand our employees are key to our success. They provide the personalized service to our members and contribute to the communities where we live. We are committed to providing a supportive, mission-driven, and inclusive culture where employees can grow their careers. To learn more, visit kitsapcu.org.



About the Role:


Kitsap Credit Union is searching for a Director of Payment Operations to lead, direct, and guide the Payment Operations team to ensure the effective modernization of Kitsap Credit Union's payment processing in execution of the overall payments' strategy. This role is responsible for ensuring the efficient and effective processing of ACH, wires, BillPay, and real-time payments in an innovative and compliant manner, to include settlement and reconciliation. This role will leverage deep technical knowledge and strong people leadership skills to position the team for growth and will be responsible for driving results by implementing new payments technologies and processes.



What you will do:

• Implement strategies to optimize payment operations, ensuring accuracy, efficiency, and compliance with regulations.
• Evaluates emerging payment trends and recommends strategies to ensure the future state of Payment Operations remains efficient and effective.
• Oversee the processing of ACH, wires, and real-time payments, ensuring timely and accurate execution.
• Monitor industry trends and regulatory changes to identify opportunities for process improvements and risk mitigation.
• Collaborate with cross-functional teams to implement new payment products and services.
• Manage relationships with payment service providers and technology vendors.
• Lead, coach, and develop a team of payment operations professionals, fostering a culture of excellence and continuous improvement.
• Develop and manage the payment operations budget, ensuring cost-effective operations.
• Provide regular reporting and analysis on payment operations performance to senior management.
• Accountable for the department's quality, timeliness, and compliance in the development and execution of operational processes, to include operational efficiency, effectiveness, and scalability utilizing KCU financial and staff resources.
• Negotiates SLAs with key internal business partners and assures compliance with regular reviews.
• Subject Matter Expert and provides professional advice to managers and VPs on payments risk, rules/regulatory compliance, and industry best practices.
• Accountable for reporting and compliance with payment regulations and KCU policies, related to ACH, wires, and Real Time Payments.
• Set Performance Measures for the department to include quantitative and qualitative targets with the objective to continually identify improvements to controls, resources utilization, and member experience.
• Evaluate vendor performance, SLAs, contractual commitments, and invoices.
• Leads the team in organization-wide and departmental projects, including assuring appropriate controls/risk mitigation, regulatory compliance, departmental impact assessment, development of procedural and staff training.
• Manages the performance of the team members including regular performance coaching and feedback, performance evaluations, team member engagement, corrective actions, and identifying team member development opportunities.
• Develops and manages departmental annual budget, including explanations of monthly variances to budget.
• Uses professional judgement and interpersonal skills to communicate with both executives and employees.
• Uses data to address management concerns to highlight the best paths forward.
• Coordinates and ensures completion of testing and implementing disaster recovery and business continuity plans for payment operations.
• Understand, model, and represent KCU's core values.

What you will bring:

• Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
• Excellent organizational skills and attention to detail.
• Excellent time management skills with a proven ability to meet deadlines.
• Proficient with Microsoft Office Suite software.
• Demonstrates a high level of engagement and active collaboration contributing to a positive team environment.

Basic Qualifications:

• Bachelor's degree in business, finance, or a related field; MBA or relevant certification preferred.
• 7+ years of experience in payment operations, with a deep understanding of ACH, wires, and real-time payments. AAP or similar payment certification preferred.
• 5+ years of supervisory experience with strong leadership and management skills, the ability to motivate and develop teams.
• Proven problem solving, analytical and technical skills.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to collaborate effectively across functions and levels of the organization.
• Strong MS Office skills required, including the ability to use these to analyze and communicate complex data, issues, and solutions.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Experience in a credit union or financial institution preferred.

Our Values:



Integrity: We believe in acting with honesty, trust, and respect which are at the forefront of our daily engagement.


Responsibility: We believe that responsibility is holding ourselves accountable for our decisions, actions, and their outcomes.


Collaboration: We believe in the power of a diverse group of people working together to achieve a united outcome.


Authenticity: We believe activities in actions that demonstrate our commitment to be transparent, dependable, and genuine in everyday.



Quick Facts:



Seniority Level: Director


Reports to: Vice President, Operations


Employment type: Exempt, Hybrid, Salaried, Full-time


Salary Range: $93,594.98 to $120,000 depending on experience


Bonus Target: 12% potential incentive of base pay


Working Hours: Monday - Friday 8AM - 5PM


Grade: 13BC


Industry: Banking



What We Offer:


Not only are we one of the largest credit unions in Washington State, and growing, but we are also a company that cares about its employees. We back that up for our employees by offering competitive pay and a benefits package that helps support you and your family's lifestyle. We value our employees, and we strive to keep our benefits comprehensive and affordable. Some of our benefits include:

• Free onsite parking
• Annual time off and sick time accrued
• 11 Paid holidays
• 1 Personal day
• Medical, Dental, Vision, Short- and Long-term Disability, Life and AD&D Insurance
• Employee Assistance Program
• Choose from a PPO medical plan or a High Deductible with a Health Savings Account
• 3% KCU funded Safe Harbor Contribution to your 401K
• KCU will match up to 2% of your 401K contributions
• All 401K contributions are 100% vested
• Potential annual incentive in all roles within Kitsap Credit Union
• Tuition reimbursement
• 8 hours of paid volunteer time off
• Discounts on KCU's products and services
• Paid Care.com membership

We believe in the power of belonging - it's in our DNA as a not-for-profit, member-owned cooperative. Our un-bank-like structure ensures that we remain all about people: our members, our employees, and the people in the communities where we live and work. We work hard to provide a collaborative and inclusive environment where you can grow and excel in your career.

We are dedicated to serving our members by providing personalized experiences, convenient access, and highly competitive products and services. But it goes much deeper than that. For more than 86 years, we have been relentless about making a positive difference in our communities. We understand that when our members and communities succeed, we all succeed, and that success can't happen without great employees. If this is the kind of organization, you're looking for.


****** Employment is contingent upon satisfactory credit, background, and reference checks. Kitsap Credit Union is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants for employment will receive consideration without regard to sex, marital status, race, color, religion, national origin, age, veteran status, disability, genetic information, or any other protected status. ******

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