Senior Digital Payments Risk Associate

The Senior Digital Payments Risk Associate (Sr. Associate, Operational Risk) will be responsible for identifying, assessing, and managing operational risks associated with digital payments operations, ensuring compliance with regulatory requirements, and contributing to the development of robust risk mitigation strategies. They will play a pivotal role in maintaining the stability and security of our payment systems, ensuring operational resilience, and safeguarding our customers’ trust.

• Real-Time Payments (RTP) Implementation & Support: SLOD lead providing operational risk oversight to support end-to-end implementation of RTP, ensuring seamless integration with existing payment infrastructure, compliance with network operator rules, and alignment with industry best practices.

• Cross-Border Payments Implementation & Support: SLOD lead providing operational risk oversight to support end-to-end implementation of instant transfers Cross-border Payments ensuring seamless integration with existing payment infrastructure, compliance with network operator rules, and alignment with industry best practices.

• Ongoing Risk & Operational Oversight: Monitor RTP and other digital payments (i.e., Wire, ACH, Zelle) ensuring compliance with Payment Systems Risk Policy, Standards, and OCC/Fed requirements.

• Payments Risk Oversight: Provide independent risk assessment and oversight for electronic payments projects, ensuring compliance with regulatory requirements, Payment Systems Risk Policy, Standards, and internal related risk policies.

• Conduct risk assessments of payment systems, identifying potential vulnerabilities and implementing mitigation strategies.

• Monitor and analyze transaction life cycle data to review and challenge potential concerns associated with initiation, authentication, approval, processing, and settlement.

• Stay up-to-date with industry trends, regulatory changes, and best practices related to payment systems and operational risk management.

• Prepare and present risk assessment reports to senior management, highlighting key findings and recommendations.

• Participate in internal and external audits, providing necessary documentation and support related to payment systems risk.

• Support the development and maintenance of business continuity and disaster recovery plans specific to payment systems.

• Support the creation, management and development of Operational Risk program strategy, policies and standards.

Qualifications:

• Bachelor's Degree in Business, Finance or related field or equivalent work experience.

• 9+ years of experience in operational risk management.

• Must have deep understanding of digital payments, including RTP, Wire, ACH, and Zelle Payment system.

• Familiarity with payment processing systems, and relevant regulatory requirements.

• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills with the ability to identify and address complex risk issues.

• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to work effectively in a team environment.

• Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite (Excel, Word, PowerPoint) and risk reporting software.

• Strong operational risk management principles, methodologies and tools, governance principles and activity preferably in a financial services technology environment.

• Ability to independently operate in a complex, matrixed environment; adept at delivering and maintaining productive working relationships across business, functions, geographies and lines of defense.

• Advanced operational risk, process, and control validation and/or assessment skills.

• Ability to direct, train and guide peers, subordinates and management.

• Ability to handle conflict resolution with other groups to ensure appropriate accounting guidance is followed.

• Ability to convey a sense of urgency and drive issues/projects to closure.

• Ability to effectively interact with the market, executive management and vendors.

• Ability to adapt and adjust to multiple demands and competing priorities.

EEO Statement: At Santander, we value and respect differences in our workforce.  We actively encourage everyone to apply.   

Santander is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, genetics, disability, age, veteran status or any other characteristic protected by law.

This job description does not list all of the job duties of the job. You may be asked by your supervisors or managers to perform other duties. You may be evaluated in part based upon your performance of the tasks listed in this job description. The employer has the right to revise this job description at any time. This job description is not a contract for employment and either you or the employer may terminate at any time for any reason.

Primary Location: New York, NY, New York

Other Locations: New York-New York,Texas-Dallas,Florida-Coconut Grove,Massachusetts-Boston

Organization: Santander Holdings USA, Inc.