Director of Payment Operations and Financial Services

Vagaro • Pleasanton, CA

3d • Onsite

About The Position

The Director of Payment Operations & Financial Services owns the day-to-day execution and performance of Vagaro’s payments and embedded finance ecosystem. This is a hands-on operator role responsible for improving payment revenue and margin, optimizing transaction performance, strengthening risk outcomes, and ensuring operational readiness and compliance across card-present, card-not-present, ACH, and wallet-based payment solutions.
This role also owns payments economics: forecasting, financial modeling, opportunity sizing, and executive-ready materials that drive decision-making. You will work closely with FP&A and Data teams, but you are expected to personally build and maintain key models, dashboards, and weekly leadership updates.
You will partner tightly with a Payments Analyst who owns ongoing monitoring and reporting. Together, you will ensure Vagaro detects issues early, acts quickly, and continuously improves profitability and merchant experience.
This role is based onsite in Pleasanton, CA Monday through Friday

Requirements

• 6–10+ years of experience in payments, fintech, or financial services, with ownership of revenue-driving programs and operational outcomes.
• Strong analytical and financial modeling skills; experience building forecasts, scenario models, and business cases.
• Deep understanding of payment processing economics (merchant acquiring, pricing, processor fees, interchange/assessments, and yield drivers).
• Experience working with processors, card networks, and financial institution partners.
• Familiarity with risk management, fraud/chargebacks, and compliance requirements in financial services.
• Comfortable operating in a fast-paced environment with multiple concurrent priorities.
• Strong cross-functional leadership skills with Product, Engineering, Sales, Marketing, Support, Compliance, FP&A, and Data.
• High ownership and follow-through; willing to roll up sleeves and drive outcomes personally.
• Clear communicator who turns complex analysis into executive-ready recommendations.
• Operates with discipline: cadence, metrics, documentation, and accountability.
• Builds strong partnerships across teams and moves quickly when issues arise.

Nice To Haves

• Experience in SaaS, SMB-focused financial services, or verticalized payments is a plus.
• SQL/BI experience is a plus (or strong ability to partner effectively with analytics teams).

Responsibilities

• Payments Execution & Performance Management
• Operational Excellence & Reliability
• Financial Products & Embedded Finance
• Leadership, Cross-Functional Execution & Communication

Benefits

• Attractive Compensation & Performance Bonuses: Enjoy a competitive salary paired with performance-based bonuses
• Generous PTO: 15 accrued days, plus 10 company holidays annually.
• Health & Wellness: Comprehensive healthcare, dental, and vision plans for you and your family.
• Exclusive Perks: Discounts on attractions, theme parks, shows, sports events, movies, hotels, and more through TicketsAtWork.
• Beauty Perks: $30/month reimbursement for any Vagaro service, including health, beauty, or wellness treatments.
• Food Perks: $50 monthly stipend for our onsite microkitchen and a complimentary DoorDash DashPass subscription.
• Growth Opportunities: College Assistance Reimbursement, access to EAP & Work/Life Programs, and a LinkedIn Learning account.
• Financial Security: 401k program with 4% matching and optional life/supplemental insurance.
• Stay Active: Access to our on-site gym, flavored water dispenser, and basketball court to keep you fit and energized!

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Director
• Education Level: No Education Listed