Payment Processing Team Lead en ARIZONA FINANCIAL CREDIT UNION

Description

Job Summary Overview

The position is responsible for overseeing daily payment processing operations, including ACH, check, and treasury processing. Ensures the accuracy, security, and efficiency of all transactions, contributing to the financial stability and service excellence of the credit union. 

Essential Job Functions  

• Develops and maintains a control environment that mitigates risk and protects Credit Union assets.
• Serves as a systems and Subject Matter Expert (SME) for all ACH, Check and Treasury functions, systems, processing, and procedures. Must understand wire processing. 
• Takes ownership and decision-making responsibility in the absence of the Payment Processing Supervisor for processing to ensure limited risk. 
• Assists in training frontline staff on payment-related procedures and best practices to enhance service delivery and operational efficiency. 
• Responsible for ACH and check reclamations and correspondence. 
• Handles without entry financial institution FI to FI requests and correspondence.
• Performs daily, weekly, and monthly review of payment transactions to ensure accuracy and resolves discrepancies when notified by Senior Payment Processing Specialists and leadership. Daily balancing and logging of volumes and activity is required.
• Provides expert-level service to members by addressing complex inquiries and resolving issues related to payment transactions. 
• Maintains and updates comprehensive documentation related to payment processing procedures and transactions.
• Maintains knowledge of industry trends and regulatory changes to ensure the organization remains compliant and ahead of potential risks for all payment activity.
• Oversees and manages complex Automated Clearing House (ACH) transactions, including high-value and high-volume payments. 
• Handles advanced check processing tasks, including large deposits, withdrawals, and check clearing. 
• Responds to escalated member inquiries and ensures that investigations are processed within a reasonable timeframe to mitigate member impact.
• Strong analytical, time management, organizational and problem-solving skills with the ability to multi-task and work in a deadline-driven environment.
• Performs outbound calls to members, staff, financial institutions and/or vendors for payment related inquires.
• Collaborates with leadership on internal and external audits related to payment processing, ensuring compliance, and addressing any findings.
• Provides support and expertise to team members through problem resolution of escalated calls, monitoring and serves on applicable wire ACD queues. 
• Participates in team meetings and department gatherings relaying updates to process or procedures.
• Leads in training Payment Processing Specialists on systems, processes and policies. 
• Works closely with the Senior Payment Processing Specialists on findings from GL reconciliations, function audits, call evaluations and error reviews to conduct a plan to address processing errors.
• Generates, analyzes, and presents detailed reports on payment processing activities to support strategic decision-making and operational improvements.
• Performs other job-related duties as assigned.
• Schedule is based on business need and fluctuates.

Requirements

Position Required Qualifications

Minimum Education and Experience

High School diploma or general education degree (GED) and two (2) years’ experience in a financial institution. One (1) year experience in Retail Banking, Payment Processing or any equivalent department. 

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

Knowledge of computers and software applications in Windows, Excel, and Word. Ability to type 25 words per minute. Ability to read, write, speak, and use proper grammar in English. Ability to read, analyze and interpret technical procedures, financial reports, legal documents, and government regulations. Ability to write business correspondence, write reports and procedure manuals. Ability to write business correspondence in response to sensitive inquiries or complaints. Ability to communicate verbally both in person and on the telephone. Ability to speak effectively to members regarding sensitive inquiries or complaints. Ability to define problems collects data, establish facts, and draw valid conclusions. Ability to apply mathematical concepts to determine and test reliability and validity. 

Licenses, Training, and Certifications Required

None.

Preferred Qualifications

Strong understanding of payment rules and regulations, including NACHA rules, internal policies, UCC 4A, Reg E, and Reg J. AAP Certification.

Hybrid Work Environment and Physical Demands

• Occasionally required to stand, walk, stoop, kneel, and reach with hands and arms. 
• Regularly required to sit; use hands to finger keys accurately when using calculator machines or computer keyboards. 
• Occasionally lift and/or move up to 10 pounds. 
• Specific vision abilities required by this job include the ability to adjust focus. 
• The noise level in the work environment is moderate. 
• Must be able to travel independently to departments, branches, and off-site locations. 

NOTE: The job description is intended to be generic in nature. It is not an exhaustive list of all duties and responsibilities. Requirements listed in the above qualifications and physical requirements are representative of the knowledge, skill, abilities, physical demands, or work environment required or encountered that must be met by an employee to successfully perform each duty and each function of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform these essential functions.

Employees who work from home must have business operational internet to complete work tasks and communicate via video call or chat messaging systems in a dedicated workspace.