Payment Operations Analyst - Remote in FL, GA, AL, SC, NC, VA, TX, CO

SouthState Bank, N.A.; Winter Haven (FL); Hybrid; USD 60,000 - 96,000; Full time

Job summary

SouthState Bank, N.A. seeks a Payments Operations Specialist to support instant payments including RTP and FedNow, and to ensure ISO 20022 compliance. You will handle day-to-day processing, monitor activity, resolve exceptions, and partner with IT and vendors to drive resolutions.

Ideal candidates have 5+ years in payments operations, a Bachelor's degree, and readiness for after-hours support. Hours are 11:30 am - 8:30 pm ET; footprint includes FL, GA, AL, VA, SC, NC, TX, CO with remote or

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree or equivalent combination of education and relevant work experience.
• 5+ years of professional experience in payment operations, payment support, or related functions.
• Industry certifications preferred (e.g., AFPP, APRP, AAP) or willingness to obtain within 12 months of hire.

Responsibilities

• Provide day-to-day operational support for sending/receiving instant payments (FedNow, RTP) and perform monitoring/reporting.
• Research and resolve exceptions (returns/rejects) within timelines to minimize customer impact.
• Support planning, testing, and implementation of product enhancements, platform releases, and regulatory changes for instant payments.
• Coordinate with IT and vendors to identify root causes and resolve issues affecting processing and settlement.

Skills

Payments knowledge

Analytical thinking

Communication skills

MS Office / BI tools

Education

Bachelor's degree

Equivalent experience

Tools

Power BI

Power Automate

Excel

Job description

The SouthState story is one of steady growth, deep community roots, and an unwavering commitment to helping our customers move forward. Since our beginnings in the 1930s to becoming a trusted financial partner across the South and beyond - we are known for combining personal relationships with forward-thinking solutions.

We are committed to helping our team members find their success while maintaining the integrity of our values: building trust, fostering lasting relationships and pursuing excellence. At SouthState, individual contributions are recognized, potential is cultivated and team members are inspired to achieve their greater purpose. Your future begins here!

Summary

Supports the Bank's instant/real-time payments operations and serves as a subject matter expert for the operational and compliance requirements of RTP, FedNow and ISO 20022. Provides day-to-day operational support for sending and receiving instant payments, including monitoring activity, researching and resolving exceptions, and supporting internal and customer inquiries. Partners with cross-functional teams to meet service standards, ensure compliance, and reduce operational and fraud risk. The position will also support ACH, wire, and tokenized deposit operations or related projects as needed.

Hours are 11:30 am - 8:30 pm Eastern Time

Candidates may be located anywhere within our footprint (FL, GA, AL, VA, SC, NC, TX, CO).

Duties & Responsibilities

• Provide day-to-day operational support for sending and receiving instant payments (FedNow and RTP), including processing, monitoring activity, and completing periodic reporting.
• Research and resolve exceptions (returns, rejects, operational corrections) within designated timelines to minimize customer impact and meet service-level expectations.
• Support planning, testing, and implementation of product enhancements, platform releases, regulatory/industry changes, and conversions for instant payments.
• Coordinate with IT and vendor partners to identify root causes and resolve system, file, or transmission issues impacting payment processing and settlement, including being available outside of normal business hours as needed to support and drive resolution of major incidents and time-sensitive payment issues.
• Assist with audit readiness activities, risk assessments, and control testing by gathering documentation and evidence; support compliance with payments rules and standards (ISO 20022, Nacha).
• Investigate and respond to customer and internal inquiries related to FedNow, RTP, and other electronic payments, coordinating with stakeholders as needed.
• Maintain and enhance operating procedures, product documentation, job aids, and test scripts; produce KPI/KRI reporting as required.
• Partner with the Financial Intelligence Unit (FIU) to identify, elevate, and mitigate suspected fraud and suspicious activity related to instant payments.
• Partner with cross-functional teams to integrate instant payment solutions with upstream/downstream systems and operational workflows; support ACH, wire, and tokenized deposit operations or related projects as needed.
• It is the responsibility of this role to take ownership of all tasks and challenges that they encounter in the operation of their assigned position. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Qualifications

Education Requirements

• Bachelor's degree required, or equivalent combination of education and relevant work experience.

Minimum Experience

• 5+ years of professional experience, including 2 to 3 years in payment operations, payment support, or related functions (financial institution or fintech preferred).

Licenses & Certifications

• Relevant industry certification preferred (e.g., Accredited Faster Payments Professional (AFPP), Accredited Payments Risk Professional (APRP), Accredited ACH Professional (AAP)), or commitment to obtain one within 12 months of hire.

Additional Physical Demands

• Must be available outside of normal business hours, as needed, to support and drive resolution of major incidents and time-sensitive payment issues.

Knowledge, Skills, & Abilities

• Working knowledge of payments initiatives, protocols, and standards, including RTP, FedNow, and ISO 20022.
• Understanding of core payment system functions (validations, rule engines, fees, postings, settlement, routing, message formatting, and status reporting).
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills; ability to prioritize effectively in a fast-paced environment with changing demands.
• Clear written and verbal communication skills; ability to communicate effectively at all levels of the organization.
• Collaborative approach when working with peers, stakeholders, end users, and vendors.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office and ability to learn new systems/tools quickly (Power Query/Power BI/Power Automate experience preferred).
• Growth mindset with comfort navigating ambiguity and building processes with limited direction.

Physical Demands and Work Environment

Physical Demands

• Ability to communicate in person, on the phone, and through electronic channels
• Ability to use a computer on a frequent basis, including typing and sustained attention to a monitor
• Ability to sit, walk, and/or stand for extended periods of time
• Ability to bend and reach

Hours are 11:30 am - 8:30 pm Eastern Time

Candidates may be located anywhere within our footprint (FL, GA, AL, VA, SC, NC, TX, CO).

• Ability to communicate in person, on the phone, and through electronic channels
• Ability to use a computer on a frequent basis, including typing and sustained attention to a monitor
• Ability to sit, walk, and/or stand for extended periods of time
• Ability to bend and reach

Work Environment

• Remote or hybrid, if applicable: For remote or hybrid positions, a secure and distraction-free setting is required, with a reliable internet connection (cable or fiber preferred, mobile hotspots not acceptable). Hybrid positions will report to a physical Company location, as directed by the manager, and that setting will be a typical office environment.

In accordance with Colorado and Virginia law: Pay for this position is anticipated to be between $59,959.00 - $95,780.00 , actual offers to be determined based on applicant's skills, experience and education.While the anticipated deadline for the job posting is 11-05-2026, we encourage you to submit your application as we may still consider qualified candidates beyond this date.

Benefits | SouthState Careers

Equal Opportunity Employer, including disabled/veterans.