AVP, Rewards IT Lead Analyst

Role Summary/Purpose:

The AVP, Lead Analyst, Reward IT is responsible for end-to-end (wing-to-wing) execution and operational management of assigned Synchrony client loyalty programs. This role partners closely with Client Marketing, Product, Technology, Operations, CSS governance teams, Testing, and vendor partners to ensure loyalty program rules, promotions, statement messaging, and reward processing are implemented accurately, controlled appropriately, and operated with strong discipline.

This position requires a blend of loyalty domain expertise, systems and data fluency, and operational rigor to deliver excellent client and consumer outcomes in a fast-moving, highly regulated environment. The role also supports continuous improvement and modernization efforts, including standardization of program configurations, automation of controls, improved reporting, and stronger integration patterns across loyalty platforms.

Essential Responsibilities:

Loyalty Program Delivery & Operational Ownership

• Own day-to-day operational execution for assigned loyalty programs, including ongoing maintenance, monitoring, issue triage, and stakeholder communication.

• Translate client loyalty strategies and marketing requirements into executable program rules, parameters, and statement messaging aligned to Synchrony capabilities and control standards.

• Configure loyalty program operational rules/parameters in partnership with Client Systems Services (CSS) and/or vendor teams; ensure strong documentation and traceability of decisions.

Promotions, Testing, and Readiness

• Support setup and execution of promotions (e.g., bonus offers, limited-time campaigns); proactively monitor production performance and ensure program integrity.

• Coordinate and lead UAT planning and execution for loyalty programs and offers; partner with IT Testing to validate calculations, data outputs, and downstream impacts prior to go-live.

• Perform pre-production validation (including edge cases such as reversals, returns, cycle timing, account changes, retroactive adjustments) to mitigate go-live risk.

Governance, Controls, Risk, and Quality

• Provide the CSS Parameter Review Board with validation outcomes and supporting evidence to enable governance approvals and reinforce strong controls.

• Execute monitoring, audit, and reconciliation routines across key reward process control points to ensure accurate, high-quality “run” operations.

• Drive root-cause analysis and corrective actions to reduce defects, improve stability, and enhance operational efficiency; maintain strong issue documentation and follow-through.

• Ensure adherence to change control, release management, documentation standards, and audit readiness expectations.

Data, Reporting, and Insights

• Utilize enterprise data sources (e.g., Data Warehouse) and platform tools (e.g., Fiserv) to produce reporting for internal stakeholders and external clients.

• Provide timely analysis of program performance, operational trends, and anomalies; reconcile differences between data sources and recommend fixes.

Platform & Integration Partnership

• Maintain current knowledge of capabilities across Synchrony loyalty platforms (including Fiserv Premier Loyalty Platform (PLP) where applicable) and understand impacts of new features/releases.

• Support end-to-end integration awareness across platforms, including files, interfaces, and APIs that connect loyalty systems with internal platforms, client environments, and third-party loyalty providers; identify and resolve integration and data quality issues.

• Build strong relationships across cross-functional teams to share best practices and improve delivery effectiveness.

• Perform other duties and/or special projects as assigned.

Qualifications/Requirements:

• Bachelor’s degree with minimum 2 years of IT experience, or in lieu of degree, HS diploma/GED with minimum 4 years of IT experience.

• Minimum 3 years of experience in the credit card, payments, or financial services industry.

• Minimum 2 years of hands-on experience with Fiserv systems and/or loyalty platform configuration/support.

• Ability and flexibility to travel for business as required

Desired Characteristics:

• Deep knowledge of loyalty systems and operational execution supporting strong rewards programs; PLP experien