ACH & Instant Payments Operations Manager

JOB SUMMARY:

The ACH & Instant Payments Operations Manager supports the Payments Operations & Strategy Manager by leading and centralizing all ACH operations across Deposit Operations while serving as the subject matter expert on emerging payment technologies. This role ensures strong operational execution, regulatory compliance, scalability, and readiness for future payments capabilities, while enabling the broader payments strategy through continuous improvement and modernization efforts.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

Key Responsibilities

• Lead end-to-end ACH operations, including Deposit Operations ACH services, while providing oversight and partnership support for Treasury Management ACH activities
• Establish consistent workflows, service standards, controls, and escalation routines across ACH teams
• Ensure timely and accurate processing, exception management, and issue resolution
• Serve as the primary operational escalation point for complex ACH matters
• Strengthen collaboration between Deposit Operations and Treasury Management while maintaining aligned, consistent execution
• Lead and develop a high-performing ACH team focused on service excellence, risk management, and continuous improvement
• Mentor and engage team members while fostering innovation and accountability across operations

Compliance, Risk, and Control

• Support Payments strategy objectives by ensuring compliance with NACHA Operating Rules, EPAY requirements, and applicable banking regulations
• Oversee monitoring, testing, and validation of ACH processes, rule changes, and system enhancements
• Maintain audit readiness and manage remediation efforts as needed
• Participate in internal and external audits, risk assessments, and regulatory reviews
• Partner with Risk, Compliance, Fraud Operations, Legal, and external payment partners to identify and mitigate operational and regulatory risk

Reconciliation, Reporting & Financial Controls

• Ensure settlement accuracy across multiple ACH processors and payment platforms
• Partner with Accounting to support reconciliation, cash application, and audit requirements
• Develop and maintain dashboards to track payment volumes, performance, costs, fraud trends, and disputes

Emerging Payments Subject Matter Expertise

• Support the Payments Operations & Strategy Manager as the operational SME for emerging payment rails, including Real Time Payments, Fed Now, stablecoin, and other evolving bank payment technologies
• Provide operational insight on risks, use cases, and readiness considerations
• Partner on feasibility analysis, solution design, and implementation planning
• Ensure operational impacts are fully understood and addressed prior to adoption
• Contribute to long-term payments strategy and initiatives shaping the future of payments operations

Continuous Improvement and Optimization

• Identify opportunities to reduce manual work, rework, and operational friction
• Drive process improvements to increase straight-through processing (STP) rates and reduce errors while maintaining robust controls
• Partner with Technology and Continuous Improvement teams on enterprise payments initiatives
• Establish and monitor KPIs, SLAs, and quality metrics for ACH operations
• Enhance reporting, transparency, and data driven decision making

Qualifications

• Deep knowledge of ACH processing and electronic payment platforms

• Experience supporting Real-Time Payments (RTP), Original Credit Transactions (OCT), and / or Account Funding Transactions (AFT)

• Strong knowledge of NACHA Operating Rules and applicable banking laws & Regulations

• Experience leading payments operations within a financial institution

• Proven ability to manage complex workflows and cross functional partnerships

• Strong risk, control, and compliance orientation

• Demonstrated success driving operational efficiencies and continuous improvement

• Familiarity with Treasury Management operations and ACH services

• Experience supporting regulatory exams and audits

• Leadership experience in a matrixed environment

• Credentials such as AAP, APRP, CTP or similar

The Statements above are intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed by people assigned to this position. They are not intended to be an exhaustive list of responsibilities, duties, and skills. Because these statements are general, the job description is used for a variety of purposes including job evaluations; performance reviews; recruitment; etc. All Associates are required to adhere to the highest legal and ethical standards applicable to our industry. It is the policy of Seacoast Bank that all Associates will be familiar and compliant with all regulatory, legal, ethical and Bank risk mitigation requirements pertaining to both our industry and their individual roles. This includes the on time, successful completion of annual required training post-hire and effective execution of role responsibilities.

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