Vice President - Electronic Payments Risk Management Senior Associate

Vice President - Electronic Payments Risk Management Senior Associate

Country: United States of America

Your Journey Starts Here:

Santander is a global leader and innovator in the financial services industry. We believe that our employees are our greatest asset. Our focus is on fostering an enriching journey that empowers you to explore diverse career opportunities while nurturing your personal growth. We are committed to creating an environment where continuous learning and development are prioritized, enabling you to thrive both professionally and personally. Here, you will find ample opportunities to connect and collaborate with talented colleagues from around the world, sharing insights and driving innovation together. Join us at Santander, where you are supported by a culture of engagement and a commitment to your success.

An exciting journey awaits, if you are interested in exploring the possibilities We Want to Talk to You!

The Difference You Make:
The Senior Associate, Risk Management for Payments will be responsible for identifying, assessing, and managing operational risks associated with digital payments operations, ensuring compliance with regulatory requirements, and contributing to the development of robust risk mitigation strategies. They will play a pivotal role in maintaining the stability and security of our payment systems, ensuring operational resilience, and safeguarding our customers’ trust.

• Provide operational risk oversight to support end-to-end implementation of Wire, ACH, and other digital payments (i.e., Real Time Payments and Zelle), ensuring seamless integration with existing payment infrastructure, compliance with network operator rules, and alignment with industry best practices.

• Leading independent risk assessment and oversight for electronic payments projects, ensuring compliance with regulatory requirements, Payment Systems Risk Policy, Standards, and internal related risk policies.

• Conduct risk assessments of payment systems, identifying potential vulnerabilities and implementing mitigation strategies.

• Monitor and analyze money movement life cycle data to review and challenge potential concerns associated with initiation, authentication, approval, processing, and settlement.

• Stay up-to-date with industry trends, regulatory changes, and best practices related to payment systems and operational risk management.

• Prepare and present risk assessment reports to senior management, highlighting key findings and recommendations.

• Participate in internal and external audits, providing necessary documentation and support related to payment systems risk.

• Support the development and maintenance of business continuity and disaster recovery plans specific to payment systems.

• Support the creation, management and development of Operational Risk program strategy, policies and standards.

• Provide operational risk oversight to support end-to-end implementation of instant transfers Cross-border Payments ensuring seamless integration with existing payment infrastructure, compliance with network operator rules, and alignment with industry best practices.

Bachelor's Degree in Business, Finance or related field or equivalent work experience.

9+ Years in operational risk management with deep understanding of electronic payments, including Wire and ACH. – Required.

Subject Matter Expertise in Real-Time-Payments (RTP) and/or Zelle. – Preferred.

• Familiarity with payment processing systems, and relevant regulatory requirements.

• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills with the ability to identify and address complex risk issues.

• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to work effectively in a team environment.

• Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite (Excel, Word, PowerPoint) and risk reporting software.

• Strong operational risk management principles, methodologies and tools, governance principles and activity preferably in a financial services technology environment.

• Ability to independently operate in a complex, matrixed environment; adept at delivering and maintaining productive working relationships across business, functions, geographies and lines of defense.

• Advanced operational risk, process, and control validation and/or assessment skills.

• Ability to direct, train and guide peers, subordinates and management.

• Ability to handle conflict resolution with other groups to ensure appropriate accounting guidance is followed.

• Ability to convey a sense of urgency and drive issues/projects to closure.

• Ability to effectively interact