Job Details

Job Purpose

The Digital Payments Specialist plays a critical role in reducing the cost of payments, by supporting both the execution and evolution of payment-related programs. The fact that credit card swipe fees are the second largest operating expense for the company underscores the importance of this role in identifying and implementing cost-saving opportunities.

This position blends analytical precision with creative problem-solving, supporting both short-term initiatives and long-term strategic efforts. Responsibilities span from managing daily operations and vendor relationships (e.g., Visa, Mastercard, InComm) to conducting industry and competitive research, vetting potential partnerships, and optimizing existing programs. The role is both internal-facing, collaborating across departments to align priorities and share insights, and external-facing, representing the organization in vendor and partner engagements.

No two days are alike in this role. The Digital Payments Specialist must be comfortable navigating repetitive operational tasks that vary day to day, while also contributing to innovative, high-impact projects and learning new tools as they are developed. The role is designed to help develop the candidate's ability to manage Payments as a Product. Opportunities to build foundational knowledge of payment systems will be provided through internal learning such as a robust Payments 101 video course, to help build the capability in making informed decisions and driving meaningful changes across the organization.

OBJECTIVES

1. Contribute to reducing payment processing costs by supporting initiatives that optimize payments partnerships. This includes being point of contact for select vendors, recommending debit routing efficiencies, enhancing vendor performance, and identifying cost-saving opportunities through data analysis and program evaluation.

1. Collaborate across departments and with external partners to ensure alignment on payment initiatives, acting as a liaison between internal teams and vendors such as Visa and Mastercard.

1. Deliver accurate and actionable reporting by analyzing payment data, dashboards, identifying trends, and summarizing insights that inform leadership decisions and highlight opportunities for operational improvement.

1. Assist in evaluating strategic partnerships by conducting research on 3rd party partnership opportunities, industry trends, and competitive landscape, using structured frameworks to assess alignment with business goals.

1. Build and apply foundational payments knowledge through internal learning (e.g., Payments 101) to support informed decision-making and help translate complex payment concepts for cross-functional teams.

1. Contribute to the optimization of payment programs by implementing enhancements, documenting processes, and participating in continuous improvement efforts that increase efficiency and reduce cost.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

1. Execute Daily Payment Operations – Manage routine tasks across ATM, Gift Card, and other payment programs with precision and consistency. Serve as the primary point of contact for field inquiries, ensuring timely issue resolution. Maintain structured tracking of unresolved items and facilitate regular vendor meetings to drive accountability and performance improvements.

1. Engage in Cross-Functional and Vendor Collaboration
   • Act as a liaison between internal teams and external partners. Ensure alignment of priorities, facilitate communication, and support the execution of joint initiatives.

1. Monitor and Report Payment Data – Review and interpret dashboards related to Cost of Payments, Payments Health, and Debit Routing. Identify patterns, anomalies, and opportunities for improvement. Translate findings into clear, actionable summaries tailored for leadership and cross-functional teams.

1. Ad hoc Market and Partnership Research – Support the evaluation of 3rd party and strategic partnership opportunities using the Three-Lens Framework - Desirability, Feasibility, and Viability. Expand research scope to include industry trends, competitive analysis, and emerging technologies. Document findings to inform strategic decisions and long-term planning.

1. Support Internal Education and Enablement – Complete foundational training such as the Payments 101 Learning Course. Apply acquired knowledge to help interpret payment concepts for internal teams, contributing to more informed collaboration and decision-making across departments.

1. Optimize Payment Programs – Participate in the enhancement of existing payment programs by identifying inefficiencies, proposing improvements, and supporting implementation efforts. Collaborate with internal stakeholders to ensure changes align with operational capabilities and business goals.

1. General Support – Perform other duties and responsibilities as assigned, adapting to evolving business needs and contributing to both routine and strategic initiatives.

QUALIFICATIONS

To perform this role successfully, the individual must demonstrate strong organizational and time management skills, with high attention to detail and accuracy in data handling. The ability to manage multiple tasks, prioritize effectively, and adapt to both repetitive and varied work is essential. Proficiency in using dashboards and reporting tools (e.g., Excel, Power BI) to identify trends and communicate actionable insights is required.

The ideal candidate will possess a foundational understanding of payment systems or demonstrate the ability to quickly learn key concepts through internal training. Strong analytical thinking is needed to support data-driven recommendations, while creative problem-solving will be valuable in evaluating new partnership opportunities and optimizing existing programs. Comfort working independently and collaboratively across departments, as well as engaging with external partners is critical to success in this role.

EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE

Education

Bachelor's degree in business, Finance, Economics, Data Analytics, or a related field preferred. Equivalent experience in a relevant operational or analytical role will also be considered.

Experience

2-4 years of experience in payments, financial services, operations, product development, or a related field.

• Exposure to data reporting and analysis tools (e.g., Excel, Power BI) required.
• Proven experience contributing to or leading the development of strategic initiatives, including executive briefs, business cases, or cross-functional planning efforts.
• Demonstrated curiosity and innovative thinking in identifying opportunities, solving complex problems, and influencing organizational direction.
• Familiarity with payment systems, card networks, or financial technology is a plus; foundational knowledge can be developed through internal training.