Innovations Specialist (Payments & Emerging Technologies)

Bfsfcu; Washington, Northern (District of Columbia, KY); Hybrid; USD 103,000 - 130,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical Insurance

Dental Insurance

Vision Insurance

401(k) Plan

Life Insurance

Disability Benefits

Tuition Assistance

Paid Time Off

Parental Leave

Annual Incentive Plan

Job summary

BankFund Credit Union seeks an Emerging Technologies Analyst to drive fintech initiatives and bridge business needs with technology. You’ll analyze processes, map requirements, and own backlogs for digital banking projects, coordinating with IT, vendors, and business units.

You will support API integrations, perform data analyses, create reports, and ensure security and compliance across systems. Hybrid work model with on-site 40% post-training.

Qualifications

• :Bachelor’s degree in Business, Information Technology, Computer Science, or related field.
• :Minimum 3 years of experience in a financial institution.
• :Experience with core systems such as Fiserv, Symitar or Correlation.
• :Proficiency in requirements gathering, process mapping, and technical documentation.
• :Strong data-driven mindset and ability to translate data into insights.
• :Understanding of digital banking trends and member behavior.
• :Ability to work with both technical and non-technical stakeholders.
• :Knowledge of system integrations, APIs, and secure data exchange.
• :REST and SOAP API knowledge.

Responsibilities

• :Bridge business needs with technology to deliver member-focused solutions.
• :Analyze processes, evaluate system capabilities, translate requirements into specs.
• :Own product backlogs and define roadmaps for fintech implementations.
• :Support API configuration, data mapping, and integration docs.
• :Perform data analysis and create reports for management.
• :Coordinate with vendors and internal teams; ensure compliance and security.
• :Travel periodically to industry events and demos.
• :Support project planning, timelines, and resource coordination.

Skills

Requirements gathering

Process mapping

Technical documentation

Data analysis

SQL & BI

API integrations

REST/SOAP APIs

Collaboration

Digital banking trends

Fintech solutions knowledge

Education

Bachelor’s Degree

Tools

FISERV

Symitar

Correlation

Tableau

Power BI

SQL

Python

Job description

Description

About BankFund:

BankFund Credit Union is a full-service financial cooperative that was organized and chartered in 1947 as a convenient place for employees of the World Bank Group and International Monetary Fund and their families to save and to obtain credit. Located in Washington, DC, BankFund maintains three full-service branches downtown with our headquarters located near Farragut West metro station. This position is classified as a hybrid role which means that on-site work will be expected. After completion of training for the role, staff generally work on site 40% of the time but this is subject to change based on health and safety standards and operational need.

Role Responsibilities:

The Emerging Technologies Analyst supports the credit union’s strategic and operational goals by bridging business needs with technology solutions. This role analyzes business processes, evaluates system capabilities, translates requirements into technical specifications, and partners with IT, vendors, and business stakeholders to deliver efficient, member-focused solutions.

Innovation and Emerging Technologies

• Proactively learn and educate others about industry trends and emerging technologies related to digital banking, fintech, and member experience.
• Identify and evaluate opportunities to leverage new technologies to drive innovation and improve operational efficiency.
• Conduct extensive research on emerging financial technologies (e.g., AI, blockchain, digital payments) and market trends to identify opportunities and potential threats.
• Assess the performance, usability, security, and regulatory compliance of existing or new fintech solutions and products.
• Represent the credit union at industry events, fintech demos, and innovation forums.
• Build and maintain relationships with fintech partners, vendors, accelerators, and industry peers.
• Serve as a point of contact for inbound fintech inquiries and outbound discovery efforts.

Business Analysis & Requirements Gathering

• Gather, document, and prioritize business requirements for new initiatives, system enhancements, and process improvements.
• Collaborate with internal stakeholders and peer groups to ensure alignment and successful execution of digital initiatives.
• Facilitate workshops, interviews, and meetings with business units to define needs and translate them into detailed functional and technical specifications.
• Create user stories, process flows, use cases, and acceptance criteria.
• Collect, process, and perform statistical analyses on large financial datasets to extract meaningful insights, create financial models, and support data-driven decision-making.

Systems, Integration & API Support

• Support API configuration and data mapping.
• Assist integration design documentation.
• Test and troubleshoot API integrations.
• Maintain integration documentation.

Systems & Technical Support

• Analyze existing systems (core banking, lending systems, digital banking, CRM, LOS, etc.) to identify gaps, inefficiencies, and opportunities for optimization.
• Support system configurations, data mapping, integration documentation, and troubleshooting.
• Manage testing activities, including test planning, test case development, and UAT facilitation.
• Working knowledge of IT governance frameworks, including CAB, ARB, and POC processes, with demonstrated ability to navigate approvals efficiently to accelerate delivery while maintaining risk and compliance standards.

Project Support

• Serve as Product Owner or Product Lead for assigned fintech implementations from discovery through post-launch optimization.
• Own product backlogs, prioritize features based on business value and member impact, and manage trade-offs.
• Partner with vendors and internal teams to define roadmaps, success metrics, and release plans.
• Ensure solutions meet functional, security, compliance, and member experience requirements prior to launch.
• Collaborate with project managers to support project planning, timelines, and resource coordination.
• Assist with vendor management, reviewing technical documentation, SOWs, and system enhancement proposals.
• Monitor project progress and provide status updates to stakeholders.
• Support the implementation, integration, and management of digital systems, ensuring they operate efficiently and support the organization's digital goals.

Data & Reporting

• Perform data analysis to support decision-making, reporting requirements, and performance insights.
• Validate data accuracy across systems and support data integration, migration, and remediation efforts.
• Build SQL queries or use BI tools as required.
• Prepare detailed reports, visualizations, and presentations for management and stakeholders, translating complex technical and financial concepts into actionable insights.

Travel Requirement

• This role requires periodic travel to industry conferences, fintech demos, vendor offices, and partner locations to evaluate emerging technologies and build industry relationships.

Process Improvement

• Drive continuous improvement initiatives to enhance the user experience, increase engagement, and optimize conversion rates across all digital channels.
• Evaluate and document current-state and future-state processes.
• Recommend and implement process improvements that enhance operational efficiency and member experiences.
• Ensure alignment with compliance, risk management, and information security standards.
• Collaborate with internal teams and vendors to troubleshoot issues, improve system performance, and enhance digital tools for members.
• Foster a culture of collaboration, innovation, and continuous improvement across the organization.
• Demonstrates a continued commitment to BankFund’s Service IMPACT philosophy.
• All BankFund employees are required to remain cognizant of and adhere to all policies, procedures, and regulations pertaining to the Bank Secrecy Act.

For internal purposes, this position is graded as Exempt - 12.

The anticipated annualized base salary range for this position is $103,000 to $130,000. Final base salary for this role will be based on the individual’s job-related experience, skillset, training, certifications and market demands. The benefits available for this full-time position include but are not limited to: medical, dental, and vision insurance, 401(k) plan, life insurance coverage, disability benefits, tuition assistance program and paid time off, including paid parental leave benefits. In addition to base compensation salary, this role position is eligible for an annual incentive plan.

Requirements

Minimum Qualifications

Education: Bachelor’s Degree

Minimum Years of Relevant Experience: 3 years

Skills and Knowledge (Required):

• Bachelor’s degree in Business, Information Technology, Computer Science, or related field (or equivalent experience).
• Minimum 3 years of financial institution experience.
• Experience with financial core systems such as Fiserv, Symitar or Correlation.
• Proficiency in requirements gathering, process mapping, and technical documentation.
• Strong understanding of digital banking trends, member behavior, and emerging
• digital and associated technologies.
• Demonstrates a growth mindset in looking for more efficient solutions to business functions and systems.
• Strong data-driven mindset and approach with proven experience synthesizing data and communicating findings into meaningful intelligence.
• Strategic mindset with practical hands‑on approach to delivery.
• Ability to work collaboratively with both technical and non‑technical teams.
• Ability to collaborate with technical and non‑technical stakeholders.
• Working knowledge of system integrations, APIs, and secure data exchange.
• Understanding REST/SOAP APIs and authentication methods.
• Ability to support configuration and troubleshooting of fintech solutions.

Additional Skills and Knowledge (Preferred):

• Hands-on experience with analytic and presentation software, including but not limited to Tableau, PowerBI, Python ,SQL, preferred
• Certifications in Business Analytics (CBAP or PMI-PBA), Agile (CSM or above)
• Experience working in credit union lending and operations systems such as digital banking, loan originations, payments, collections, etc.

Physical Requirements:

• This position involves physical requirements typical of office or desk-based work, such as prolonged periods of sitting, computer use, and engagement in routine office activities. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions of the job.
• Occasional after-hours or weekend work during system upgrades or releases.