Payments Settlement Operations Manager

Manage and audit daily settlement operations across ACH, wire, card, and alternative payment methods. Monitor and resolve exceptions, rejects, and discrepancies in payment processing. Ensure accurate posting of returned items and alignment with invoice reconciliation. Reconcile daily transactions and investigate discrepancies. Escalate unresolved issues and coordinate with internal and external stakeholders. Lead automation initiatives to reduce manual intervention and improve operational efficiency. Collaborate with Product and Engineering teams to enhance payment workflows and system capabilities. Prepare and analyze reports on payment activities and settlement performance. Identify trends and recommend process improvements. Ensure adherence to internal controls, regulatory requirements, and audit standards. Serve as the escalation point for payment-related issues and partner with Legal and Compliance teams as needed. Supervise and mentor a team of settlement analysts and specialists. Conduct performance reviews, set KPIs, and foster a culture of continuous improvement. Partner with Finance, Accounting, Customer Support, and external vendors (e.g., Telecheck, Fiserv, Worldpay) to ensure seamless operations. Provide strategic input on new payment products and services.