Account-based Payments Network Strategy and Advocacy Lead

JOB DESCRIPTION

Help shape how account-based payments evolve across consumer and small business experiences. In this role, you will lead strategy and advocacy across payment networks and industry forums, turning complex stakeholder input into clear priorities and outcomes. You will work across functions to influence standards, strengthen partnerships, and support responsible innovation. If you thrive in highly matrixed environments and enjoy building consensus, this role offers broad scope and impact.

Job summary

As an Account-based payments network strategy and advocacy lead in the Account-based payments network strategy and advocacy team, you will develop and execute multi-year strategies across account-based payment networks and rails, and represent the firm’s interests in external governance and standards forums. You will partner across business, product, and control functions to align priorities, influence operating frameworks, and translate strategy into measurable outcomes.

Job responsibilities

• Develop and execute multi-year strategies that advance account-based payments objectives across consumer and small business segments
• Lead enterprise engagement with account-based payment networks and rails, aligning priorities across products, lines of business, and functional partners
• Drive governance and operating cadence for the payments network strategy program (TBD: confirm official program/office name)
• Build and maintain strategic relationships with payment networks, industry associations, peer financial institutions, fintech partners, merchants, and other ecosystem participants
• Represent the firm in industry governance forums, working groups, advisory councils, and standards-setting organizations to influence the direction of account-based payments
• Develop advocacy positions on emerging topics (e.g., pay by bank, Automated Clearing House (ACH) modernization, open banking, fraud mitigation, risk management, and customer protection)
• Influence network rules, operating guidelines, and industry standards through active participation with relevant industry bodies (e.g., Nacha and The Clearing House)
• Partner with product, technology, operations, legal, compliance, risk, controls, and finance to deliver strategic initiatives and business outcomes
• Lead a team responsible for strategic analysis, governance activities, stakeholder engagement, and execution
• Prepare and deliver executive-level communications, recommendations, and decision materials for senior leadership
• Monitor market, regulatory, and competitive developments across payment networks and infrastructure to identify risks, opportunities, and emerging trends

Required qualifications, capabilities and skills

• 10+ years of experience in payments, consulting, strategy, product management, financial services, public policy, industry affairs, or related fields
• Knowledge of account-based payments with experience in one or more areas such as ACH, peer-to-peer (P2P) payments, instant payments, pay by bank, open banking, network governance, network rules, digital identity, risk services, or emerging payment technologies
• Experience leading complex strategic initiatives requiring cross-functional coordination and enterprise stakeholder management
• Experience influencing network rules, operating frameworks, industry standards, or advocacy positions through engagement with networks, industry associations, regulators, standards bodies, or peer institutions
• Ability to build consensus and drive outcomes across diverse stakeholder groups
• Executive-level written, verbal, and presentation communication skills
• Experience creating executive communications and decision materials (e.g., recommendations, presentations, and leadership updates)
• Ability to navigate matrixed organizations and influence decision-making without direct authority
• Analytical and strategic planning skills, including the ability to translate strategy into measurable outcomes
• Ability to manage multiple priorities and deliver results in a fast-paced, evolving environment
• Proficiency in Microsoft PowerPoint and Excel

Preferred qualifications, capabilities and skills

• MBA or other advanced degree
• Experience engaging organizations such as Nacha, The Clearing House, FedNow, RTP, major payment networks, or similar industry bodies
• Experience in pay by bank, open banking, account-to-account payments, digital identity, or payment modernization initiat…