Executive Director- Payments Strategy

Ally Financial • Charlotte, NC

263d • Onsite

About The Position

The Executive Director of Payments will be responsible for defining and executing the overall payments strategy. This role will oversee all payment products and services end-to-end while driving innovation in a fast-changing ecosystem. This executive will lead the modernization of our payment strategy ensuring we deliver secure, efficient, and customer-centric solutions that drive growth, engagement, and operational excellence. The ideal candidate will have a deep understanding of payments innovation, digital, and UX/design, and strong collaboration skills. This role requires a strategic thinker who can define the purpose of payments, identify key moments that matter, and develop strategies to win and retain customers.

Requirements

• Bachelor's degree in finance, Business Administration or related field; advanced degree (MBA, MS, etc.) preferred.
• Minimum of 15 years of experience in a strategic leadership role within consumer banking.
• 5+ years leading payment strategies.
• Deep knowledge of payments innovation and emerging trends in the payments landscape.
• Expertise in payment networks, real time payments, and digital wallets.
• Strong experience with digital and UX/design, with a focus on enhancing the customer experience.
• Excellent collaboration skills, with the ability to build and maintain strong relationships with internal and external stakeholders.
• Experience leading large-scale team and complex payment infrastructures with a network of industry contacts and partners.
• Strong understanding of payments risk, including the regulatory and compliance frameworks impacting payment, with the ability to develop strategies to mitigate these risks.
• Strategic mindset and exceptional problem-solving skills to influence senior executives and external stakeholders.
• Exceptional execution capabilities, balancing long-term strategy with near-term operational excellence.
• Excellent communication and presentation skills, with the ability to articulate complex concepts to diverse audiences.
• A passion for innovation and a commitment to delivering exceptional customer experiences.

Responsibilities

• Develop and execute a comprehensive payments strategy that defines the purpose of payments at Ally, prioritizes key moments that matter, and enables the company's overall business goals and objectives.
• Oversee end-to-end payment product development and operations across cards, ATM, ACH, wires, P2P, real-time payments, digital wallets, and emerging payment technologies while ensuring customer-centric, efficient and secure processes.
• Leverage deep payments knowledge to drive innovation, development and implementation of cutting-edge payment solutions in an evolving digital and regulatory landscape.
• Utilize digital and UX/design experience to enhance the user experience and drive customer engagement through frictionless, secure, and intuitive solutions.
• Understand the risks associated with payments to ensure compliance and risk management across all payment platforms, aligning with regulatory requirements and industry standards.
• Build and lead a high performing team. Foster a culture of innovation, collaboration, and continuous improvement within the payments team.
• Leverage strategic partnerships with fintechs, networks, and technology providers to expand capabilities and accelerate growth at Ally Bank.

Benefits

• 11 paid holidays
• 20 paid time off days
• 8 hours of volunteer time off, yearly
• 401K retirement savings plan with matching and company contributions
• student loan pay downs and 529 educational save up assistance programs
• tuition reimbursement
• employee stock purchase plan
• flexible health and insurance options including medical, dental and vision
• employee, spouse and child life insurance
• short- and long-term disability
• pre-tax Health Savings Account with employer contributions
• Healthcare FSA
• critical illness, accident & hospital indemnity insurance
• total well-being program
• adoption, surrogacy and fertility assistance
• paid parental and caregiver leave
• Dependent Day Care FSA
• back-up child and adult/elder care days
• childcare discounts
• Mentally Fit Employee Assistance Program
• subsidized and discounted Weight Watchers® program
• travel allowances
• relocation assistance
• signing bonus
• equity

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Executive
• Industry: Credit Intermediation and Related Activities
• Education Level: Bachelor's degree