SVP, Payments Program Manager

Description

Vast Bank is looking to hire an SVP, Payments Program Manager

About Vast Bank

Since February of 1982, we've been a financial institution that has served customers in Northeast Oklahoma and beyond. Our deep roots in the community and commitment to personal service have enabled us to grow alongside our customers, creating conveniences and solutions to fit unique problems and lifestyles. For over 40 years, we've built a legacy on personal service, flexibility, strength, and integrity. Now, with bold leadership and a renewed commitment to customer-centricity, we're aiming higher for the next 40 years. New ideas, strong partnerships, and modern technology will accompany a winning culture to deliver more control and a surprisingly easy banking experience.

We're a company that believes in taking care of the people who make working here possible. In addition to competitive compensation, we offer a leading employee benefit package:

• Comprehensive benefits package & 401(k) match
• Professional development- opportunities for advancement!
• Tuition assistance
• Transit reimbursement
• Paid time off
• & more!

Qualifications

Summary Of Role

As the Senior Vice President – Payments Program Manager, you will be responsible for leading the strategy, governance, and delivery of enterprise-wide payment initiatives across the bank. This role requires deep expertise in the payment’s ecosystem and a proven track record of delivering large-scale, cross-functional transformation programs. You will be a critical leader in driving innovation, enhancing operational efficiency, and ensuring regulatory compliance in the rapidly evolving payments landscape, including real-time payments, digital rails, and modernization efforts.

You will work closely with C-level executives, product and technology leaders, risk and compliance partners, and external stakeholders to shape and execute the bank’s long-term payments vision.

Major Duties and Responsibilities

• Define and execute the multi-year roadmap for payments transformation in alignment with enterprise goals, market trends, and evolving client needs—including innovations such as USBC, deposit tokens, and tokenized settlement mechanisms.

• Lead the delivery of complex, cross-functional payment programs (e.g., FedNow, RTP, ISO 20022 migration, embedded payments, digital asset rails) ensuring alignment to milestones, budgets, risk appetite, and regulatory expectations.

• Serve as a senior liaison between technology, operations, legal/compliance, finance, and external partners to ensure cohesive delivery, stakeholder engagement, and robust program governance.

• Ensure all payment initiatives comply with applicable laws, regulations, and internal risk policies (e.g., NACHA, Reg E, UDAAP, BSA/AML), including evolving digital asset frameworks related to tokenized deposits and USBC.

• Evaluate and champion emerging technologies such as real-time payments, open banking APIs, digital wallets, AI-enabled payment fraud detection, and blockchain-based settlement solutions.

• Present program updates, risk assessments, and investment priorities to senior leadership, steering committees, and board-level stakeholders to drive transparency and strategic alignment.

• Lead and mentor a team of program managers, analysts, and cross-functional contributors; foster a culture of accountability, collaboration, continuous learning, and innovation.

• Must comply with applicable laws and regulations, including but not limited to, the Bank Secrecy Act, the Patriot Act, and the Office of Foreign Assets Control.

Knowledge & Skills

Experience                            

Minimum of 12 years of experience in Banking, Financial Services, Digital Payments and Products, with 5 years in a senior program or product leadership role.

Deep knowledge of domestic and international payment systems.

Education/Certifications/Licenses

Bachelor’s Degree in Management Business Management, Finance, Banking or related field. 

Prefer MBA, PMP/PgMP

Interpersonal Skills

A significant level of trust and diplomacy is required to be an effective subject matter expert in the position. In-depth dialogues, conversations and explanations with customers, direct and indirect reports and outside vendors of a sensitive and/or highly confidential nature is a normal part of the day-to-day experience. Communications can involve motivating, influencing, educating and/or advising others on matters of significance.

Role Important Behavioral Skills

• Strong communication skills to develop good working relationships and to promote cooperation and compromise among various departments.

• Display the ability to research and comprehend a high level of knowledge in current and developing regulations.

• Ability to develop and maintain effective working relationship at all levels by proactively participating and contributing to a positive work environment, controlling emotions and temperament, and exhibiting courteous, respectful, and professional behavior.

• Ability to quickly adapt to changing environments, processes, and technologies. Technological ability and willingness to work remotely from home as required.

• Strong organizational skills.

• Ability to maintain composure under pressure or adverse circumstances, using effective strategies for managing personal stress.

• Ability to maintain personal and work direction when faced with ambiguity.

ADA Requirements

Physical Requirements

Is able to bend, sit, and stand in order to perform primarily sedentary work with limited physical exertion and occasional lifting of up to 10 lbs. Must be capable of climbing / descending stairs in an emergency situation. Must be able to operate routine office equipment including computer terminals and keyboards, telephones, copiers, facsimiles, and calculators. Must be able to routinely perform work on a computer for an average of 6-8 hours per day, when necessary. Must be able to work extended hours or travel off site whenever required or requested by management. Must be capable of regular, reliable, and timely attendance.

Working Conditions

Must be able to routinely perform work indoors in climate-controlled shared work area with minimal noise.

Mental and/or Emotional Requirements

Must be able to perform job functions independently or with limited supervision and work effectively either on own or as part of a team. Must be able to read and carry out various written instructions and follow oral instructions. Must be able to complete basic mathematical calculations, spell accurately, and understand computer basics. Must be able to speak clearly and deliver information in a logical and understandable sequence. Must be capable of dealing calmly and professionally with numerous different personalities from diverse cultures at various levels within and outside of the organization and demonstrate highest levels of customer service and discretion when dealing with the public. Must be able to perform responsibilities with composure under the stress of deadlines / requirements for extreme accuracy and quality and/or fast pace.  Must be able to effectively handle multiple, simultaneous, and changing priorities. Must be capable of exercising the highest level of discretion on both internal and external confidential matters.

EEO Statement
It is the policy of Vast Bank to afford equal opportunity in all phases of employment without regard to an individual’s race, color, creed, religion, gender, national origin, age, disability, marital status, ancestry, sexual orientation, unfavorable military discharge for qualified individuals with disabilities, and for qualified disabled veterans and veterans of the Vietnam era, to the extent required by applicable local, state and federal law.