Global Payments Manager

Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation•Seattle, WA

1d•Onsite

About The Position

The Foundation We are the largest nonprofit fighting poverty, disease, and inequity around the world. Founded on a simple premise: people everywhere, regardless of identity or circumstances, should have the chance to live healthy, productive lives. We believe our employees should reflect the rich diversity of the global populations we aim to serve. We provide an exceptional benefits package to employees and their families which include comprehensive medical, dental, and vision coverage with no premiums, generous paid time off, paid family leave, foundation-paid retirement contribution, regional holidays, and opportunities to engage in several employee communities. As a workplace, we’re committed to creating an environment for you to thrive both personally and professionally. The Team Global Financial & Accounting Services (GFAS) is a growing team with an increasing breadth of responsibility. The foundation continues to grow in its global footprint and in the complexity of its work. The team’s vision is to provide innovative and scalable global business solutions in accounting, tax, payroll, treasury, procurement, and financial operations while safeguarding the reputation of the foundation and our related entities, with the highest standards of integrity and operational excellence. GFAS is one team within the Finance & Resource Planning division at the foundation and an important part of the operations function. Operations supports and enables the six program teams to make investments and to run effectively and efficiently. As a division, Finance & Resource Planning employs approximately 220 FTE’s. The GFAS team is significant (45+ FTE’s), and is responsible for financial reporting processes, technical and advisory services, internal controls, vendor due diligence and the accounting functions at the foundation. This position is based at the Seattle, Washington HQ. Your Role The Global Payments Manager, is responsible for overseeing the distribution of work within the Global Payments team. This role emphasizes ensuring the efficient and accurate execution of global payment processes, systems, and technologies. The Manager collaborates closely with cross-functional teams to drive process improvements and support business operations, projects, and compliance efforts, all while maintaining a strong commitment to customer service and operational excellence.

Requirements

Bachelor’s or other advanced degree with 7+ years of experience, or equivalent experience.
Communication: Excellent communication and relationship-building skills.
Critical Thinking: Ability to navigate complex environments and facilitate decision-making using data and technology.
Analytical & Problem-Solving: Strong analytical and problem-solving skills, with a focus on continuous improvement in global payment operations.
Project Experience: Experience supporting the implementation of significant projects such as new systems, banking, or credit card programs.
Concept Communication: Ability to communicate complex concepts to partners with diverse backgrounds, including leadership, program staff, grantees, and other operational resources.
Change Management: Proven ability to support and manage change within global payment processes, ensuring smooth transitions and optimal outcomes.
Decision Making & Bias for Action: Ability to make sound business decisions with a sense of urgency.
Organization & Initiative: Strong organizational skills and initiative, with the ability to work autonomously and cross-functionally while remaining flexible to changing tasks and priorities.
Customer-Centric Solutions: Experience in supporting customer-centric payment solutions, enhancing user experience, and addressing customer pain points.
Performance Monitoring: Ability to monitor and evaluate work output, ensuring that work is distributed effectively and tasks are completed accurately and on time.
Must be able to legally work in the country where this position is located without visa sponsorship.

Responsibilities

Operational Oversight: Ensure the efficient execution of global payments processes, focusing on credit card expense, accounts payable programs including vendor record management.
Escalation Support: Manage escalations by providing timely responses that are aligned with foundation policies and practices.
Cross-Functional Collaboration: Collaborate closely with various internal teams to maintain smooth, timely, and accurate delivery of global payment services, emphasizing operational efficiency and strategic alignment. Ensure that all team members, including those outside of Accounts Payable and expense management, understand the critical role we play and the importance of sharing information effectively to support overall business objectives.
Process Improvement: Utilize strategic thinking and operational efficiency management, along with risk assessment to identify and implement process improvements in global payments, working closely with process owners and key stakeholders across different geographies.
Partnerships: Build and maintain strategic partnerships with operations teams (e.g., travel, events, security) and internal counterparts to enhance the delivery of global payment services, including a proactive customer commitment.
Represent the global payments team in meetings, conferences, and other key forums, ensuring our team's interests and perspectives are effectively communicated and integrated into broader organizational initiatives.
Work Distribution: Manage the distribution of tasks and responsibilities within Global Payments team, ensuring that workloads are balanced and deadlines are met.
Team Collaboration & Cross-Training: Collaborate with GFAS colleagues to facilitate cross-training opportunities, enhancing team adaptability, tolerance for ambiguity, and overall performance.
Operational Efficiency Management: Ensure that global payment processes are operationally efficient and effective, managing resources to optimize performance and minimize risks.
Compliance Assurance: Ensure that global payment processes comply with all relevant regulations, internal controls, and technical financial standards, including GAAP, IRS, state filing requirements, and global regulatory standards.
Risk Monitoring & Actions: Monitor global payments functions for weaknesses related to payment fraud, system security and policy breaches; document mitigation and action plans.
Project Support: Provide key input and subject matter expertise for business projects involving global payments. Support project planning, including scope definition, deadline setting, and resource allocation, with a focus on credit card expenses, participant reimbursements, and accounts payable.
Strategic Collaboration: Partner with cross-functional teams to ensure the integration of global payment elements into business projects, contributing to the successful execution of project goals through strategic thinking and pragmatic decision-making.