Senior Program Manager na Bankwell Financial Group

Description

About Bankwell:

Bankwell is a commercial bank with more than $3 billion in assets that serves the banking needs of businesses and individuals. At Bankwell, we pride ourselves on our unique ability to bring you high touch, high quality banking with the expertise and dedication of our experienced team of professionals. When it comes to business, our deep industry knowledge, flexibility and innovative treasury and financing services enable us to find the right solutions for our business and commercial clients. We’re passionate about giving back and are actively involved with many not-for-profit organizations that help shape and improve the lives of others. We’re dedicated to giving our time and talent to support the communities we serve. More about Bankwell can be found at www.mybankwell.com.

Summary of Position:

As a Product Manager - Payment Systems & Risk Management at Bankwell, you will be responsible for overseeing and managing strategic initiatives for the bank's Payments and Risk Management strategies. You will collaborate closely with stakeholders across the bank to execute initiatives that enhance our offerings and drive overall business growth.

Responsibilities include:

Product Management

•  Develop and execute a multi-year roadmap for modernizing payment platforms (ACH, wire, real-time payments, card networks), Enterprise Risk Management tooling, and transaction monitoring solutions; prioritizing projects based on strategy, business goals, stakeholder feedback, and regulatory requirements. 
• Work closely with internal stakeholders and solution providers to oversee the development and delivery process, ensuring timely and high-quality execution.
•  Facilitate the release of new platforms, software, and tools across the organization. 
• Develop training and change management plans to support adoption and user engagement for new tools and processes.
• Develop comprehensive go-to-market plans for new payment service launches, including positioning, messaging, pricing strategy, and sales enablement.
• Collaborate with marketing and sales teams to create effective marketing campaigns and sales strategies that drive adoption and revenue growth.

Project Management

• Lead end-to-end delivery of payment solutions and risk tools, including vendor selection, integration, and testing, ensuring timely delivery within scope and budget.
• Define project plans, schedules, deliverables, and success metrics in alignment with strategic goals.
• Coordinate internal teams, third-party vendors, and stakeholders across departments including Compliance, Risk, and Operations to document requirements, establish realistic delivery plans, test solutions, and ensure operational readiness.
• Partner with technology and operations teams to ensure scalability, resilience, and compliance in payment systems.
• Provide regular status reports, executive updates, and steering committee presentations.
• Promote transparency and alignment through effective communication and program documentation.

Performance Analysis

• Define key performance indicators (KPIs) and metrics to measure the success of solutions and adoption.
• Conduct regular performance reviews, analyze data insights, and iterate on products to optimize performance and compliance. 

Governance & Compliance

• Work with compliance and risk management teams to mitigate potential risks and maintain a secure and compliant product environment.
• Identify potential risks and develop mitigation strategies to minimize impact on program delivery and outcomes.
• Champion project management best practices and engage in continuous improvement of team practices.

Stakeholder Engagement

• Build strong relationships with key stakeholders both internally and externally, including customers and industry partners.
• Act as a trusted advisor and point of contact for stakeholders, providing guidance and support on program-related matters.
• Foster collaboration and communication across teams to drive success and achieve desired outcomes for the bank and our customers.

Requirements

Qualifications & Skills:

• Bachelor's degree in computer science, Business Administration, Project Management, Finance, Engineering, Marketing, or a related field.
• Proven experience (at least 5 years) in product, program, or project management within the banking or financial services industry, with a focus on payments or risk management initiatives. 
• Strong project management skills with the ability to manage multiple projects simultaneously and deliver quality results within established timelines.
• Excellent analytical and problem-solving skills, with a data-driven approach to decision-making.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to influence cross-functional teams and build strong relationships.
• Solid understanding of regulatory requirements and compliance standards related to banking technology.
• Entrepreneurial mindset with a passion for innovation and improving employee and customer experiences.

Must be able to be onsite in New Canaan at least 2 days per week (hybrid role)

This job description is a general description of essential job functions. It is not intended as an employment contract, nor is it intended to describe all duties someone in this position may perform. All employees are expected to perform tasks assigned by supervisory personnel, regardless of job titles or routine job duties.

Bankwell is committed to a policy of Equal Employment Opportunity and will not discriminate against any applicant or employee on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, national origin or ancestry, age, physical or mental disability, veteran or military status, marital status, or any other legally recognized protected basis under federal, state or local laws.

Applicants with disabilities may be entitled to reasonable accommodation under the terms of Americans with Disabilities Act and certain other state or local laws. Please inform Bankwell’s Human Resources representative if you need assistance completing any forms or to otherwise participate in the application process.

All employees are responsible for complying with banking regulations that apply to Bankwell. This includes, but is not limited to, adhering to the BSA and various consumer protection regulations, and complying with OFAC sanctions. Employees are required to complete compliance training and follow policies and procedures for applicable regulations based on their role. An employee’s failure to comply with banking regulations will be individually reviewed and assessed. The result of non-compliance may impact job performance ratings and may be serious enough to require termination of employment.