Central Operations Manager (Banking)

Leoforce; Riverside (CA); On-site; USD 100,000 - 150,000; Full time

Job summary

Leoforce in Riverside, CA is seeking a VP, Central Operations Manager to lead all functions of the Central Operations department in a banking environment. Reporting to COO, you will oversee payment operations, risk management, and regulatory compliance to ensure accurate, secure processing of transactions.

The role requires 10+ years in back-office banking ops, hands-on leadership, and the ability to implement procedures and controls; AAP/NCP designations preferred.

Qualifications

• Minimum of 10 years of back-office banking operations experience.
• Accredited ACH Professional (AAP) designation preferred.
• National Check Professional (NCP) designation preferred.

Responsibilities

• Develops, implements, and maintains department procedures, ensuring timely revisions as processes and regulations change.
• Demonstrates proficiency in payment operations, including domestic (USD) and foreign exchange (FX) wire transfers.
• Oversees ACH payment processing and operations.
• Supports debit card, Visa, peer-to-peer (P2P), and business-to-business (B2B) payment operations.
• Provides expertise in payment-processing risk management and fraud prevention.
• Utilizes payment systems such as WireXchange and FedLine Advantage.
• Performs wire transfer verifications, repairs, OFAC screening, Travel Rule compliance, and wire releases with a high degree of accuracy.
• Maintains knowledge of online banking payment services offered to business and consumer customers.
• Processes exception items, particularly non-posted items, with a high degree of accuracy.
• Oversees negotiable item adjustments, disputes, and related regulatory requirements.
• Researches and resolves check, debit card, wire, and ACH payment inquiries and investigations.
• Identifies, escalates, and manages non-routine issues and exceptions, including potential fraud situations.
• Establishes and maintains debit card risk parameters in partnership with appropriate risk-management personnel.
• Provides oversight of legal processes received by the financial institution.
• Manages the escheatment and unclaimed property process.
• Serves as the department’s Year-End Coordinator.
• Provides oversight of institutional and branch cash, including vaults.
• Balances and certifies multiple Operations general ledger accounts.
• Manages wire and check fraud-prevention processes and applications.
• Ensures daily assignments are completed accurately and within established timeframes.
• Leads ongoing training and development to strengthen the team’s knowledge of job responsibilities.
• Manages department audits, including coordinating and completing required remediation.
• Tracks department metrics and transaction volumes and reports results to leadership monthly and quarterly.
• Performs other duties as assigned by management.

Job description

Central Operations Manager (Banking)

Riverside,CA, US

Job Description

Experience: Manager

Salary: $100,000 - $150,000 per year

Job Details

Reporting directly to the Chief Operating Officer, the VP, Central Operations Manager leads all functions of the Central Operations department and provides direction, support, and oversight to every member of the Central Operations team. This position requires extensive knowledge of products and services offered to business and consumer banking customers, along with the ability to perform both routine and complex tasks independently. All employees are expected to embrace the financial institution’s mission and values and reflect them in their daily interactions.

Primary Responsibilities

• Develops, implements, and maintains department procedures, ensuring timely revisions as processes and regulations change.
• Demonstrates proficiency in payment operations, including domestic (USD) and foreign exchange (FX) wire transfers.
• Oversees ACH payment processing and operations.
• Supports debit card, Visa, peer-to-peer (P2P), and business-to-business (B2B) payment operations.
• Provides expertise in payment-processing risk management and fraud prevention.
• Utilizes payment systems such as WireXchange and FedLine Advantage.
• Performs wire transfer verifications, repairs, OFAC screening, Travel Rule compliance, and wire releases with a high degree of accuracy.
• Maintains knowledge of online banking payment services offered to business and consumer customers.
• Processes exception items, particularly non-posted items, with a high degree of accuracy.
• Oversees negotiable item adjustments, disputes, and related regulatory requirements.
• Researches and resolves check, debit card, wire, and ACH payment inquiries and investigations.
• Identifies, escalates, and manages non-routine issues and exceptions, including potential fraud situations.
• Establishes and maintains debit card risk parameters in partnership with appropriate risk-management personnel.
• Provides oversight of legal processes received by the financial institution.
• Manages the escheatment and unclaimed property process.
• Serves as the department’s Year-End Coordinator.
• Provides oversight of institutional and branch cash, including vaults.
• Balances and certifies multiple Operations general ledger accounts.
• Manages wire and check fraud-prevention processes and applications.
• Ensures daily assignments are completed accurately and within established timeframes.
• Leads ongoing training and development to strengthen the team’s knowledge of job responsibilities.
• Manages department audits, including coordinating and completing required remediation.
• Tracks department metrics and transaction volumes and reports results to leadership monthly and quarterly.
• Performs other duties as assigned by management.

Additional Responsibilities

• Exercises sound judgment in balancing exceptional internal and external customer service with appropriate risk management.
• Ensures compliance with all applicable laws, rules, and regulations governing Central Operations responsibilities.
• Delivers exceptional service to internal and external customers.
• Completes all required training by assigned deadlines.
• Complies with all organizational policies and procedures.
• Performs duties in accordance with applicable regulatory requirements and established policies and procedures.
• Manages staff training requirements and ensures deadlines are met.

Management Responsibilities

• Manages Central Operations staff, ensuring responsibilities are completed as required and escalations are addressed promptly.
• Mentors, coaches, and develops direct reports.
• Provides ongoing direction, support, accountability, and professional development to team members.

Knowledge and Skill Requirements

Requires knowledge of, adherence to, and responsibility for monitoring compliance with state and federal laws and regulations affecting the financial services industry as they relate to this position. This includes, but is not limited to, the Bank Secrecy Act (BSA), USA PATRIOT Act, Anti-Money Laundering (AML) requirements, Customer Identification Program (CIP), customer privacy requirements, and Community Reinvestment Act (CRA).

• Strong written and verbal communication skills.
• Strong interpersonal and leadership skills.
• Willingness to work a flexible schedule as business needs require.
• Ability to effectively manage multiple priorities in a deadline-driven environment.

Education and Experience Requirements

The requirements below represent the minimum education, experience, knowledge, skills, and abilities necessary to successfully perform this role. Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

• Minimum of 10 years of back-office banking operations experience.
• Accredited ACH Professional (AAP) designation preferred.
• National Check Professional (NCP) designation preferred.
• Highly organized with a strong focus on priorities and efficiency.
• Ability to work collaboratively in a team environment.
• Sound mathematical and problem-solving skills.
• Strong computer skills.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Word, Excel, and PowerPoint.
• Experience using Microsoft Teams.
• Knowledge of banking applications and operations; experience with leading financial-services technology platforms preferred.
• Ten-key proficiency by touch.
• Strong attention to detail.
• Excellent time management, prioritization, multitasking, and communication skills.
• High school diploma or equivalent required.

A bit about us:

Our client is a relationship-focused financial institution committed to delivering exceptional service while maintaining strong operational controls, regulatory compliance, and responsible risk management. With a collaborative approach and a focus on both business and consumer banking, our client values accuracy, integrity, innovation, and employees who take ownership of delivering outstanding results.

Why join us?

• High-Impact Leadership: Lead Central Operations and influence critical payment, fraud prevention, risk, and compliance functions.
• Professional Growth: Expand your leadership expertise while coaching and developing an experienced banking operations team.
• Operational Innovation: Help strengthen procedures, payment processes, controls, technology, and fraud-prevention strategies.
• Collaborative Culture: Partner with senior leadership and cross-functional teams in an environment built around service, accuracy, and shared success.