Job Description: Senior Payments Specialist
Job Summary
The Senior Payments Specialist is responsible for overseeing payment processing activities, ensuring timely and accurate transactions, resolving payment-related issues, maintaining compliance with financial regulations, and supporting continuous improvement of payment operations. This role works closely with internal teams, banking partners, payment service providers, and customers to deliver efficient and secure payment services.
Key Responsibilities
- Process and monitor domestic and international payments accurately and within established service levels.
- Review, validate, and authorize payment transactions in accordance with company policies and approval matrices.
- Investigate and resolve payment discrepancies, failed transactions, chargebacks, and customer payment inquiries.
- Reconcile payment records with bank statements, payment gateways, and accounting systems.
- Ensure compliance with internal controls, regulatory requirements, AML/KYC guidelines, and company policies.
- Monitor payment queues and identify processing delays or operational risks.
- Coordinate with banks, payment processors, and financial institutions to resolve transaction issues.
- Prepare daily, weekly, and monthly payment and reconciliation reports for management.
- Support month-end and year-end financial closing activities related to payment operations.
- Identify opportunities to improve payment processes, reduce errors, and enhance operational efficiency.
- Assist in implementing new payment methods, systems, and automation initiatives.
- Train and mentor junior payment specialists and provide guidance on best practices.
- Maintain accurate documentation of payment procedures and operational workflows.
- Collaborate with Finance, Accounting, Customer Support, Compliance, Risk, and IT teams to ensure seamless payment operations.
Required Qualifications
- Bachelor's degree in Finance, Accounting, Business Administration, Commerce, or a related field.
- Professional certifications in finance or payments are an advantage.
- 4–7 years of experience in payment operations, banking, financial services, fintech, or a related field.
Required Skills
- Strong knowledge of payment processing, banking operations, and reconciliation.
- Understanding of electronic payment methods, including ACH, wire transfers, SWIFT, SEPA, RTP, card payments, and digital wallets.
- Knowledge of AML, KYC, fraud prevention, and financial compliance requirements.
- Experience with ERP systems, payment platforms, and financial software.
- Advanced Microsoft Excel skills and proficiency with reporting tools.
- Strong analytical and problem-solving abilities.
- Excellent attention to detail and organizational skills.
- Effective communication and stakeholder management skills.
- Ability to work under pressure while meeting deadlines.
Key Competencies
- Financial accuracy and attention to detail
- Risk awareness and compliance
- Customer service orientation
- Critical thinking and decision-making
- Team collaboration
- Process improvement mindset
- Integrity and confidentiality
- Time management and prioritization
Key Performance Indicators (KPIs)
- Payment processing accuracy
- On-time payment completion rate
- Reconciliation accuracy
- Reduction in payment exceptions and processing errors
- Compliance with regulatory and internal audit requirements
- Resolution time for payment-related issues
- Customer and stakeholder satisfaction
- Operational efficiency and process improvement initiatives
Working Conditions
- Full-time position.
- Standard business hours with flexibility during month-end, quarter-end, and year-end closing periods.
- May require coordination with international teams, banking partners, or different time zones.
