Payment Operations Team Lead

Western Alliance Bank•Henderson, NV

4d•$35 - $43

About The Position

The Payment Operations Team Lead supports enterprise payment operations by leading the day-to-day execution of payment processing activities across multiple payment rails. The role ensures service levels, controls, and team performance expectations are met, and oversees workflows, escalations, and accurate, timely processing in compliance with bank policies and regulatory requirements. The Team Lead provides direct support to Payment Operations Specialists, Senior Specialists, and Analysts, and partners with Risk, Compliance, Technology, and Treasury Management. The position combines hands-on subject matter expertise with work direction, coaching, quality oversight, and day-to-day operational decision-making.

Requirements

At least 5 years of related experience in financial services, payment operations, banking operations, or a similar field.
Bachelor's degree or equivalent experience.
Intermediate to advanced knowledge of general banking operations, including deposit operations, loan administration, treasury management, and/or other commercial banking products and services.
Intermediate to advanced knowledge of applicable regulatory and legal compliance obligations, rules and regulations, industry standards, and practices.
Intermediate to advanced experience leading or coordinating payment operations workflow in a banking or financial services environment, including oversight of daily workflows, escalations, approvals, and operational controls across multiple payment rails.
Intermediate to advanced experience supporting compliance, audit, or risk management activities related to payment processing, as well as contributing to procedure development, quality review, and continuous improvement initiatives.
Advanced speaking and writing communication skills.

Nice To Haves

Previous leadership experience preferred.
Highly preferred certifications: Accredited ACH Professional, Accredited Payments Risk Professional, Accredited Faster Payment Professional, or National Check Professional.

Responsibilities

Coordinate, assign, and monitor daily payment-processing work to meet deadlines, service levels, and operational priorities.
Balance workloads, manage coverage, and oversee department opening and closing activities as applicable.
Serve as the primary escalation point for complex payment issues, customer concerns, and time-sensitive decisions, including approval of non-standard items or work near cutoff times.
Ensure appropriate documentation, risk awareness, and adherence to approval limits.
Provide guidance, coaching, and training to team members; document errors or trends and support quality review activities.
Partner with management on performance feedback, development needs, and corrective-action escalation when required.
Ensure team adherence to regulatory, compliance, fraud, and risk controls.
Support audits, reporting, and control testing.
Contribute to procedure development and maintenance, and to process improvements that enhance efficiency or reduce risk.