Payments Modernization Program Lead

Horizontal Talent; Brooklyn (OH); Hybrid; USD 120,000 - 160,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Hybrid work model

Competitive compensation

Job summary

Horizontal Talent seeks an experienced project leader to drive a high‑impact modernization initiative in payments and deposit services. The role coordinates cross‑functional teams across operations, technology, risk, and vendor partnerships to improve efficiency, reduce risk, and enhance client experience.

You will manage budgets, track benefits, and deliver on time with clear governance and stakeholder communication in a hybrid work environment.

Qualifications

• Candidates should have project or program management experience within financial services or banking operations.
• Experience with payments and deposit services such as ACH, wire, checks, and related modernization efforts.
• Ability to plan, track benefits, and manage budgets with accuracy.
• Strong communication and stakeholder management for executive audiences.
• Comfort coordinating multiple priorities across business and technology teams in a regulated environment.

Responsibilities

• Lead multiple concurrent workstreams from intake through delivery, maintaining milestones and dependencies.
• Oversee governance, prepare status updates, metrics, and escalation materials for stakeholders.
• Manage budgeting, forecasting, invoicing, and benefits realization across the initiative.
• Coordinate scope, requirements, resources, and interdependencies across operations, technology, risk, and vendors.
• Track schedule and cost while proactively addressing risks and blockers.
• Collaborate with process owners to prioritize opportunities and support business case development.
• Develop integrated project plans, critical path milestones, and progress reporting.
• Support vendor engagement and contract activities while monitoring service deliverables.
• Lead communication planning and engagement across leadership, delivery teams, and partners.
• Ensure change control, documentation, and delivery processes are followed; drive continuous improvement.

Skills

Project management

Financial services knowledge

Payments & banking ops

Budgeting & forecasting

Stakeholder management

Communication

Hybrid work adaptation

Cross-functional coordination

Risk & issue management

Vendor coordination

Education

Bachelor's degree in business/finance/IT or equivalent

PMP

PgMP

SAFe

CSM/PSM

Job description

Horizontal Talent seeks an experienced project leader to drive a high‑impact modernization initiative in payments and deposit services. The role coordinates cross‑functional teams across operations, technology, risk, and vendor partnerships to improve efficiency, reduce risk, and enhance client experience.

You will manage budgets, track benefits, and deliver on time with clear governance and stakeholder communication in a hybrid work environment.