ACH Operations Manager

Job Description

SUMMARY: The ACH Operations Manager provides management oversight and leadership to the ACH Operations Department ensuring optimal execution of all Originating Depository Financial Institution (ODFI) and Receiving Depository Financial Institution (RDFI) ACH transactions. ACH Processing Responsibilities include but not limited to: File Processing, Service Delivery, ACH Exceptions & Resolution, Processing Support, Production Support & Strategy, and Development & Testing Support. The ACH Operations Manager is responsible for building the ACH Operations department from the ground up to include the development of the strategic vision, as well as the execution of the strategies contained in the business plan. Consistently ensures the delivery of exceptional operational standards and service for area of responsibility, managing department budgets within approved limits, ensuring that associated policy and procedures align with all regulatory guidelines to include, NACHA Operating Rules & Treasury Green Book, and are strictly adhered to and managed to ensure the bank is operationally compliant.
ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES include the following. Other duties and special projects may be assigned.

• Manages and directs a team of remote employees responsible for the daily operational functions within the ACH Operations Department.
• Conducts staff meetings of department's personnel, or confers with subordinate personnel to discuss departmental problems, regulatory updates, or to explain procedural changes or practices.
• Conducts work stream reviews and analysis to proactively identify required technical tasks/actions, system issues, and risk.
• Makes business decisions and takes appropriate action to remediate exceptions and resolve issues related to area of responsibility. Material decisions and complex issues are escalated to senior management to ensure proper handling.
• Analyzes processes to develop strategies, procedures and/or polices to maximize ACH payments execution and team efficiency.
• Analyzes reports and data to identify processing trends, staffing requirements, etc.
• Develops a strategic business plan to support the corporate goals and vision of the bank's branding and growth models while ensuring operations soundness, adherence to policies, procedures, and regulatory guidelines.
• Assumes leadership role in bank implementation of systems/tools designed to create efficiencies, mitigate risks and improve processes for the department and the bank.
• Participates in bank-wide activities related to hardware/software conversions and/or mergers & acquisitions and oversees the department's deliverables. Ensures all deliverables remain on target.
• Develops staff and ensures that the team's service behaviors contribute to the bank's overall strategy for the customer experience.
• Leads the team in developing a partnership with key working units within corporate to ensure that there is a bridge that solidifies a cohesive environment focusing on teamwork.
• Interprets and develops policies and procedures for ACH Operations functions within scope of responsibility.
• Creates, monitors and reports variances of departmental budgets and provides recommendations for capital expenditures and staffing.
• Ensures that the ACH Operations department is functioning within industry standards and at the most efficient levels and are providing the best quality service.
• Responsible for the accurate and timely escalation of all vendor production issues.
• Manages vendor relationships to ensure compliance with contracts and bank policies. Ensures associated Service Level Agreement requirements are met.
• Stays abreast of industry trends by attending seminars, training sessions and workshops as necessary to develop and ensure compliance with NACHA Operating Rules, Treasury Green Book, banking regulations, federal and state regulations, and standards for financial institutions.
• Works closely with compliance, audit, risk and fraud to ensure operational standards are consistent with the most current regulatory guidelines and that effective controls are implemented to mitigate risk and losses to the bank.
• Keeps apprised and current of all applicable federal and state regulations.
• Works closely with operations management team and senior management to ensure corporate vision and strategy are being executed and that associated goals are achieved.
• Ensures that operational unit is functioning within industry standards and that operations procedures are streamlined and efficient, maintained to industry standards and are fully documented for all departmental processes.
• Responsible for understanding key business strategies and goals and assisting the senior leadership team in executing the strategies and achievement of goals in an aggressive growth organization.
• Communicates business and departmental objectives to the team ensuring they remain well informed of business activities and of their required contribution to goals.
• Monitors area of responsibility and implements effective goals and tools to measure success for driving the team effectively. Establishes standards, applicable goals and maintains accountability.
• Develops an effective network of communication within the operations team and with key working units to ensure shared knowledge and understanding of business activities.
• Develops, tests and executes the department's Contingency and Disaster Recovery plans.
• Supports efforts to increase revenue and manage expenses and initiates cost reduction programs..
• Re-engineers operational tasks to maximize efficiencies and manage workforce capacity for effective utilization of resources.
• Ensures that the department's service behaviors contribute to the bank's overall strategy for the customer experience.
• Additional duties and projects as assigned by senior management.
• Adheres to and complies with applicable, federal and state laws, regulations and guidance, including those related to anti-money laundering ( Bank Secrecy Act, US PATRIOT Act, etc.).
• Adheres to Bank policies and procedures and completes required training.
• Identifies and reports suspicious activity.
• Adheres to and complies with applicable, federal and state laws, regulations and guidance, including those related to anti-money laundering ( Bank Secrecy Act, US PATRIOT Act, etc.).
• Adheres to Bank policies and procedures and completes required training.
• Identifies and reports suspicious activity.

SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Supervises function, projects or services and/or one or more employees, as applicable.
• Carries out supervisory responsibilities in accordance with the organization's policies and applicable laws.
• Responsibilities include interviewing, hiring, and training employees; planning, assigning, and directing work; appraising performance coaching; rewarding and disciplining employees; addressing complaints and resolving problems.

EDUCATION
Bachelor's Degree or equivalent work experience required
EXPERIENCE

• 10+ years of Operations or Treasury experience in commercial banking, or equivalent experience demonstrated through a combination of the following: work experience, training, education
• 6+ years of leadership experience
• Paperless Entry Processing (PEP+) experience preferred