Project Manager, Payment Taskforce

Job Description

The Mayor's Office of Contract Services (MOCS) is a New York City oversight and service agency that manages procurement citywide, from planning and release of agency solicitations to payment of vendors. Annually, agencies procure billions in products and services from a diverse pool of vendors that represent various industries. MOCS therefore aims to ensure that the procurement process remains fair, transparent, efficient and cost-effective.

MOCS makes it easier to do business through use of end-to-end technology tools, increases transparency by publication of enriched data and hosting public hearings, and strengthens procurement operations by providing direct assistance and resources to all stakeholders. MOCS also partners with agencies and vendors to identify areas for policy reform, resulting in ongoing process improvement to reduce administrative burdens and increase the positive impact of services on communities. The MOCS Director serves as the City Chief Procurement Officer.

MOCS team members operate in a collaborative, service-oriented environment, where flexibility and ability to achieve results are valued.

MOCS is seeking an experienced Project Manager to lead the Payment Taskforce, focusing on optimizing and modernizing our invoicing, payment processing, and budget management within the PASSPort NYC Procurement system. This role will be instrumental in streamlining our financial operations and implementing cutting-edge payment solutions.

Key Responsibilities:
Project Leadership & Strategy
- Lead cross-functional teams in the planning, implementation, and optimization of payment and invoicing systems
- Develop comprehensive project plans, including timelines, resource allocation, and budget requirements
- Monitor project progress, identify potential risks, and implement mitigation strategies
- Coordinate with stakeholders across Finance, IT, and Operations departments
System Implementation & Integration
- Oversee the implementation of new payment processing and invoicing systems
- Ensure seamless integration between various financial platforms and existing infrastructure
- Manage system testing, validation, and deployment processes
- Drive continuous improvement initiatives for payment and budgeting workflows
Stakeholder Management
- Build and maintain strong relationships with internal teams, vendors, and external partners
- Facilitate regular stakeholder meetings and provide clear project status updates
- Manage vendor relationships and contracts related to payment systems
- Address and resolve escalated issues from team members and stakeholders
Process Optimization
- Analyze current payment and invoicing processes to identify improvement opportunities
- Develop and implement standardized procedures for payment processing
- Create and maintain documentation for payment systems and processes
- Monitor system performance and recommend enhancements
- Design and implement comprehensive payment policies and procedures aligned with organizational objectives and regulatory requirements
- Lead initiatives to enhance payment systems, including requirement gathering, documentation, and implementation oversight
- Develop standard operating procedures (SOPs) for payment processing, invoicing, and budget management
- Collaborate with Legal and Compliance teams to ensure payment policies meet regulatory requirements
- Create training materials and conduct sessions on new payment procedures and system updates
- Evaluate and recommend policy changes based on industry best practices and organizational needs
- Drive continuous improvement initiatives for payment operations
- Establish governance frameworks for payment processes and system changes

Preferred Qualifications
- Bachelors degree in Business, Finance, Information Technology, or related field
- 5+ years of project management/audit experience, with specific focus on financial systems
- PMP certification or equivalent project management certification
- Demonstrated experience in implementing and managing payment/invoicing systems
- Strong understanding of financial processes, regulatory requirements, and compliance
- Excellence in stakeholder management and cross-functional team leadership
- Experience with major ERP systems and payment platforms
- Agile/Scrum certification
- Knowledge of payment industry standards and regulations
- Experience in process automation and digital transformation initiatives
- Advanced proficiency in project management software (e.g., MS Project, Jira)
- Strong knowledge of payment processing systems and financial software
- Expertise in data analysis and reporting tools
- Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite, particularly Excel for budget management
- Exceptional leadership and