Manager, FinTech Innovation Programs - Filene

TruStage•Madison, WI

3d•$73,100 - $109,700•Hybrid

About The Position

The Manager, FinTech Innovation Programs leads execution of Filene’s FiLab fintech tests, putting promising solutions into real-world credit union environments and determining what works for participating organizations and their members. FiLab selects 6–8 solutions each year from hundreds of fintech applicants for testing with more than 30 credit unions nationwide. Tests typically run 3–6 months. The Manager leads assigned tests from selection through publication of findings. This includes onboarding fintech partners, recruiting and supporting participating credit unions alongside the Director, Fintech Innovation Programs, and working with FiLab’s research lead to turn test results into useful industry insights. For each test, the Manager is the primary Filene contact for participating credit unions, guiding setup and implementation, maintaining engagement, troubleshooting obstacles, and facilitating peer learning. The role also coordinates work across FiLab’s active testing portfolio, tracking milestones, timelines, dependencies, and resource needs. Within priorities and standards set by the Director, the Manager anticipates conflicts, identifies risks, and helps keep the portfolio on schedule. The position contributes to FiLab’s annual application and selection cycle and supports scouting for emerging solutions. It is suited to someone experienced in pilots, implementations, or complex programs, particularly in credit unions or financial services, who can manage work across multiple institutions and solutions.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in business, technology, innovation, communications, or a related field.
At least 4 years of progressively responsible experience in program or project management, innovation, vendor partnerships, product implementation, or a related discipline.
Ability to manage multiple concurrent programs involving external participants and keep timelines, milestones, dependencies, and deliverables organized and on track.
Experience building or improving practical systems for tracking and coordinating work.
Familiarity with Smartsheet, Asana, Jira, or similar project management tools.
Ability to build and maintain trusted relationships with internal and external stakeholders, including senior leaders; maintain engagement, navigate challenges, and create a strong participant experience.
Experience coordinating external partners through a defined program lifecycle, including onboarding, diligence, contracting, implementation, and ongoing delivery.
Experience partnering with researchers or subject-matter experts on test design, data collection, and analysis, and assessing whether a test and its information collection will produce useful insights.
Strong written and verbal communication skills, including communicating with varied audiences and developing organized reports and program materials.
Experience facilitating group sessions with senior stakeholders, encouraging meaningful discussion, navigating differing perspectives, and supporting peer learning.
Intellectual curiosity about credit unions and their members; interest in a think tank environment that embraces ideation, change, and reinvention.
Passion for purpose and precision, including attention to detail.
Ability to travel up to 15%, including two annual in-person events and periodic industry conferences and client visits.

Nice To Haves

Experience in financial services, innovation, FinTech, or the credit union industry.

Responsibilities

Lead assigned fintech tests from selection through publication of findings, establishing scope, approach, and desired outcomes with the Director, Fintech Innovation Programs.
Serve as the primary Filene contact for participating credit unions, guiding recruitment, onboarding, implementation, data collection, and results; maintain engagement and resolve obstacles.
Manage day-to-day relationships with fintech partners, coordinating diligence and contracting and guiding partners through test preparation, implementation, and completion.
Facilitate cohort sessions where participating credit unions share experiences, discuss challenges, and learn from one another.
Partner with FiLab’s research lead on test design, data collection, analysis, and synthesis of findings.
Apply FiLab testing standards and contribute to tools, processes, and practices that make testing thoughtful, efficient, and replicable.
Coordinate FiLab’s active testing portfolio with the Director and other test leads, maintaining integrated plans and visibility into milestones, dependencies, and deliverables.
Monitor timelines and resource needs across active tests, identify risks or conflicts, and recommend adjustments to the Director.
Coordinate contractors and vendors supporting test execution, logistics, and program delivery.
Maintain project documentation and align work with Filene’s project management standards, systems, and tools.
Identify and help implement repeatable improvements to coordination and execution across tests.
Contribute to FiLab’s annual fintech application and selection cycle by reviewing and evaluating applicants and preparing finalists to pitch at Filene’s annual Symposium.
Support scouting and identification of emerging solutions aligned with FiLab’s innovation priorities and credit union needs.
Bring insights from active tests and participating credit unions into the pipeline process to inform future exploration.
Model Filene Credo and help maintain the organization’s culture through personal and cross-functional accountabilities.
Support Filene’s strategic objectives, plan, budget, and metrics consistently with its mission, values, and brand.
Provide service to Filene staff, members, and stakeholders, and understand Filene’s research and advisory work to connect member needs with appropriate solutions.
Manage workload across several projects simultaneously and shift priorities as needed to meet deadlines.