ACH Manager

ACH Manager

The ACH Manager is responsible for leading the Bank's payment operations, with a focus on ACH processing and broader oversight across a multi-rail payments environment. This includes ACH origination and receipt, real-time payments (RTP/instant payments), wires, Zelle, and other emerging payment channels.

This role serves as the primary compliance and risk lead for all payment-related activities, conducting daily risk assessments and ensuring adherence to applicable regulations, rules, and internal policies. The ACH Manager partners across business units to strengthen controls, streamline processes, and enhance operational efficiency.

Key responsibilities include oversight of day-to-day payment operations, reconciliation processes, exception management, and reporting. The role is instrumental in designing scalable processes that support growth and adaptability in a rapidly evolving payments landscape. Additionally, the ACH Manager drives initiatives to automate workflows, reduce manual intervention, and improve the end-to-end client and operational experience.

Payments Oversight & Multi-Rail Strategy

• Maintain a strong and compliant ACH program while supporting expansion into a multi-rail payment ecosystem.
• Provide governance and oversight of payment operations across ACH, real-time payments (RTP/FedNow), wires, and Zelle
• Identify and drive opportunities to enhance and expand payment capabilities aligned with the Bank's strategic goals.
• Support the implementation and lifecycle management of new payment products and services.

Regulatory Compliance & Risk Management

• Serve as the lead compliance subject matter expert for all payment-related policies and procedures.
• Ensure adherence to NACHA Operating Rules, real-time payment network requirements, and applicable regulations (BSA, AML, OFAC, Reg E)
• Lead the annual ACH audit in accordance with NACHA Appendix Eight requirements.
• Perform and expand enterprise-wide payment risk assessments across all payment rails.
• Maintain and enhance internal controls to mitigate operational, fraud, and regulatory risk.
• Partner with Audit, Risk, and Compliance teams to ensure audit readiness and timely remediation of findings.

Operational Management & Processing

• Oversee daily payment operations, including processing, balancing, and exception management.
• Ensure timely reconciliation of all payment-related reports and resolution of discrepancies.
• Manage non-posted transactions, returns, reversals, NOCs, reclamations, and exception processing.
• Monitor IAT transactions to ensure compliance with OFAC requirements.
• Enforce dual control standards across all applicable payment functions.

Process Improvement & Efficiency

• Identify and implement process improvements to increase efficiency and reduce manual intervention.
• Standardize procedures and maintain accurate, up-to-date documentation aligned with regulatory expectations.
• Drive automation and increase straight-through processing where feasible.
• Track and report key performance metrics, including exceptions, losses, and processing timelines.
• Analyze operational losses and errors, identify root causes, and implement preventative controls.

Leadership & Staff Development

• Provide leadership, coaching, and performance management for payment operations staff.
• Conduct regular team meetings to communicate updates, regulatory changes, and priorities.
• Develop and maintain training programs for both existing and emerging payment channels.
• Foster a culture of accountability, collaboration, and continuous improvement.

Cross-Functional Collaboration & Projects

• Lead and contribute to cross-functional initiatives to enhance payment systems and controls.
• Function as liaison between Operations, Treasury, IT, Risk, and client-facing teams.
• Support system enhancements, vendor management, and product implementations.
• Partner with business lines on client onboarding, product expansion, and issue resolution.

Governance & Reporting

• Deliver regular reporting to senior management and Board-level stakeholders.
• Support the annual review and approval of ACH and payment-related policies.
• Ensure accurate data collection and documentation for audits, risk assessments, and regulatory reporting.
• Manage departmental budgeting and resource planning.

Compliance Responsibilities

Complies with all applicable state and federal banking laws, regulations, and internal policies related but not limited to lending, operations, and deposit requirements, including Bank Secrecy Act (BSA), Anti-Money Laundering (AML) requirements, Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) regulations, Customer Identification Program (CIP) requirements, Financial Elder Abuse reporting laws, Sexual Harassment prevention policies, information security and privacy requirements.

Required Knowledge

• Extensive knowledge of NACHA Operating Rules & Guidelines governing ACH processing and compliance.
• Strong understanding of Real-Time Payments network rules, including RTP and FedNow requirements.
• Comprehensive knowledge of Regulation E (Electronic Fund Transfers) and consumer protection requirements.
• In-depth familiarity with Bank Secrecy Act (BSA), Anti-Money Laundering (AML), and OFAC regulations.
• Working knowledge of the Green Book governing federal government ACH payments.
• General understanding of wire transfer regulations and applicable payment network rules.
• Awareness of emerging payment technologies, digital payment trends, and evolving industry standards.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

• Strong understanding of end-to-end payment processing, including operational workflows across multiple payment rails.
• Demonstrated ability to drive process improvements, streamline operations, and enhance efficiency.
• Strategic mindset with the ability to support organizational growth and payment innovation initiatives.
• Advanced analytical, problem-solving, and decision-making skills with a focus on risk mitigation and process optimization
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to convey complex concepts clearly.
• Proven ability to manage competing priorities and meet deadlines in a fast-paced environment.
• Strong leadership, coaching, and team development capabilities
• Ability to collaborate effectively cross-functionally with Operations, IT, Risk, Treasury, and business partners.
• Highly organized, detail-oriented, and focused on accuracy and quality.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite, including Excel, Outlook, and Word

Equipment Operated

• Operates standard electronic computers and customary office equipment required to perform essential job functions.
• Use of equipment is required, with or without reasonable accommodation, in accordance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and the California Fair Employment and Housing Act (FEHA).

Physical Requirements & Work Environment

The physical demands and work environment characteristics described below are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this position. Nothing in this description is intended to limit the availability of reasonable accommodation under applicable law.

• Ability to perform repetitive movements associated with office and computer-based work.
• Ability to sit and or stand for extended periods of time to perform essential job functions.
• Ability to lift, carry, or move objects weighing up to 25 pounds, with or without reasonable accommodation.
• Ability to use hands and fingers to manage, manipulate, or feel objects and operate standard office equipment.
• Work is primarily performed in an office environment with a controlled temperature and standard office conditions.

Education and Experience

• Bachelor's Degree or equivalent required.
• 510 years of banking operations or payments experience required.
• Supervisory experience required.
• Accredited ACH Professional ( AAP ) certification required.
• Accredited Payments Risk Professional ( APRP ) certification preferred/recommended.
• Experience with ACH operations including returns, reversals, NOCs, reclamations, and originations
• Experience with real-time or instant payments (RTP, FedNow) preferred.
• Exposure to wires, Zelle, and additional payment channels preferred.
• Experience