Payment Processing Lead
Bangalore Location
7+ Years Experience
About the Client
ARAs Client is a global business services and technology-driven enterprise delivering high-quality banking operations, payment processing, and digital transformation solutions for international clients. The organization operates in fast-paced, compliance-driven environments and focuses on operational excellence, client satisfaction, and continuous process improvement.
Role Summary
ARAs Client is seeking an experienced and detail-oriented Payment Processing Lead to lead critical US payment operations teams supporting Check Processing, ACH, Card Operations, and related banking functions. The role requires strong operational leadership, client management capabilities, and expertise in US banking/payment ecosystems including NACHA, Fedwire, SWIFT, ACH processing, and dispute handling.
The incumbent will manage a team of approximately 20 members, drive operational excellence, ensure SLA adherence, lead process improvements, and maintain strong stakeholder relationships across client and internal teams.
Key Responsibilities
Operations & Process Management
- Lead and manage day-to-day payment processing operations for US banking/payment processes.
- Oversee Check Processing, ACH operations, reconciliation, settlement, and exception handling activities.
- Ensure adherence to SLAs, productivity targets, quality benchmarks, and compliance standards.
- Monitor operational metrics and proactively identify process gaps and improvement opportunities.
- Conduct Root Cause Analysis (RCA) and implement corrective and preventive actions.
- Ensure timely delivery of client reports and operational deliverables.
Team Leadership & People Management
- Manage and mentor a team of approximately 20 resources across diverse geographies and cultures.
- Conduct regular performance reviews, coaching sessions, and feedback discussions.
- Drive employee engagement, productivity, and operational discipline.
- Manage workforce planning including billable and buffer headcount optimization.
- Lead by example and foster a collaborative, high-performance culture.
Client & Stakeholder Management
- Serve as the primary point of contact for clients and internal stakeholders.
- Participate in client governance calls, operational reviews, and escalation management.
- Build strong working relationships with business stakeholders and leadership teams.
- Ensure high levels of customer satisfaction and service delivery excellence.
Compliance & Continuous Improvement
- Ensure adherence to audit, compliance, and regulatory requirements.
- Lead Six Sigma/process improvement initiatives to enhance operational efficiency.
- Support transformation initiatives and business value-add projects.
- Drive automation and reporting enhancements wherever applicable.
Must-Have Qualifications
- Bachelor's degree in Commerce, Finance, Business Administration, or related discipline.
- 5–8+ years of experience in US Payment Processing / Banking Operations.
- Minimum 2+ years of team handling experience in the same industry.
- Strong operational knowledge of:
- ACH Processing
- Check Processing
- Card Operations & Dispute Handling
- Fedwire / CHIPS / SWIFT
- NACHA regulations
- Experience working with payment platforms such as SCOWeb or equivalent banking portals.
- Strong understanding of reconciliation, settlement, exception handling, and account validation processes.
- Excellent verbal and written English communication skills.
- Proven client-facing and stakeholder management experience.
- Willingness to work in US shifts and travel when required.
Nice-to-Have Skills
- Six Sigma / Lean certification.
- Exposure to process automation initiatives.
- Experience handling global banking clients.
- Knowledge of operational reporting and MIS dashboards.
- Experience in multi-location team management.
