Senior International Payment Operations Specialist

Western Alliance Bank•Chandler, AZ

About The Position

As a Senior International Payment Operations Specialist, you'll be responsible for executing all back-office functions related to Foreign Exchange and Multi‑Currency Account (MCA or Vostro) settlements. This role supports global correspondent banking relationships, ensures accurate and timely confirmation and settlement of FX transactions, and supports complex operational workflows across international payment corridors. FX & MCA Settlement Operations. Responsible for the full confirmation and settlement lifecycle of foreign currency funds, including hedging‑related activities. Execute and settle FX and MCA contracts/transactions, including client payment requests from online banking, branches, and internal teams. Ensure all incoming FX and MCA payments are posted and settled accurately and timely. Confirm FX trades with internal bankers and external trading partners. Use SWIFT and Fedwire to initiate, receive, and process FX and MCA payment instructions. Process and settle foreign cash letters/check/draft collections with correspondent banks and clients. Assist in maintaining global correspondent accounts. Research discrepancies with daily reconciliations of General Ledger (G/L) account balances and resolves discrepancies. Research and affirm daily reconciliations of correspondent/nostro bank accounts. Post and/or settle charges, fees, and adjustments to client and correspondent/nostro accounts. Prepare and support periodic and ad hoc reports and spreadsheets for bank charges and other operational metrics. Support Front and Middle Offices with exposure tracking, rate validation, and variance analysis. Provide support to internal teams, bankers, and clients to resolve FX-related issues. Assist with foreign exchange infrastructure, systems, and related banking platforms. Serve as departmental backup as needed. Partner with Front and Middle Office, Payments, Treasury, Compliance, and Technology to enhance workflows. Use our FX trading system of record for confirmation and settlement of all FX trades. Work with Front office and payment systems (e.g., Fedwire system, SWIFT gateway, other proprietary internal systems) to process and reconcile FX flows. Participate in systems testing, enhancements, integrations, and UAT for FX-related functionality. Provide mentorship, training, and escalation support for less-experienced FX staff and payment operations team members. Partner with internal and external teams to improve FX processing capabilities and customer experience. Support strategic initiatives, new International Payment rollouts, and optimization of cross-border payment corridors. Ensure FX activity complies with internal policies, regulatory standards, and audit requirements. Assist in maintaining accurate documentation of FX processes and settlements. Identifies workflow gaps, suggesting and assisting to implement process improvements to reduce risk and improve efficiencies.

Requirements

4+ years of related experience in FX Operations, Treasury, or International Payments or similar field
High school diploma required; Bachelor's degree in related field preferred
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 knowledge of FX settlements, currency markets, and correspondent banking
Experience with SWIFT, Fedwire and FX platforms
Strong reconciliation and problem solving skills
High attention to detail and ability to deliver and perform successfully within daily deadlines
Intermediate knowledge and experience with Excel, Word, and general reporting abilities
Operational excellence and accuracy, analytical and investigative mindset, ability to manage complex workflows under pressure, strong communication and collaboration, and high risk awareness and adherence to controls
Intermediate speaking and writing communication skills

Responsibilities

Executing all back-office functions related to Foreign Exchange and Multi‑Currency Account (MCA or Vostro) settlements
Supporting global correspondent banking relationships
Ensuring accurate and timely confirmation and settlement of FX transactions
Supporting complex operational workflows across international payment corridors
Responsible for the full confirmation and settlement lifecycle of foreign currency funds, including hedging‑related activities
Execute and settle FX and MCA contracts/transactions, including client payment requests from online banking, branches, and internal teams
Ensure all incoming FX and MCA payments are posted and settled accurately and timely
Confirm FX trades with internal bankers and external trading partners
Use SWIFT and Fedwire to initiate, receive, and process FX and MCA payment instructions
Process and settle foreign cash letters/check/draft collections with correspondent banks and clients
Assist in maintaining global correspondent accounts
Research discrepancies with daily reconciliations of General Ledger (G/L) account balances and resolves discrepancies
Research and affirm daily reconciliations of correspondent/nostro bank accounts
Post and/or settle charges, fees, and adjustments to client and correspondent/nostro accounts
Prepare and support periodic and ad hoc reports and spreadsheets for bank charges and other operational metrics
Support Front and Middle Offices with exposure tracking, rate validation, and variance analysis
Provide support to internal teams, bankers, and clients to resolve FX-related issues
Assist with foreign exchange infrastructure, systems, and related banking platforms
Serve as departmental backup as needed
Partner with Front and Middle Office, Payments, Treasury, Compliance, and Technology to enhance workflows
Use our FX trading system of record for confirmation and settlement of all FX trades
Work with Front office and payment systems (e.g., Fedwire system, SWIFT gateway, other proprietary internal systems) to process and reconcile FX flows
Participate in systems testing, enhancements, integrations, and UAT for FX-related functionality
Provide mentorship, training, and escalation support for less-experienced FX staff and payment operations team members
Partner with internal and external teams to improve FX processing capabilities and customer experience
Support strategic initiatives, new International Payment rollouts, and optimization of cross-border payment corridors
Ensure FX activity complies with internal policies, regulatory standards, and audit requirements
Assist in maintaining accurate documentation of FX processes and settlements
Identifies workflow gaps, suggesting and assisting to implement process improvements to reduce risk and improve efficiencies