Payments Strategy Director

First State Community Bank; Farmington (NM); On-site; USD 140,000 - 210,000; Full time

Job summary

First State Community Bank is seeking a Director of Payments to lead the enterprise-wide payments strategy and drive innovation across real-time payments, digital wallets, and embedded finance. You will manage vendor relationships and partner with IT, Compliance, and Risk to deliver secure, customer-centric payment solutions.

The role requires strategic thinking, strong knowledge of payment systems, and a passion for advancing financial services.

Qualifications

• Proven experience in payments strategy, product development, or treasury management.
• Strong understanding of payment systems including ACH, wires, card networks, mobile payments, and real-time payments.
• Experience working with core and digital banking platforms (Jack Henry, Q2) and payment vendors.
• Demonstrated leadership with experience managing teams and cross-functional initiatives.
• Excellent communication, analytical, and project management skills.

Responsibilities

• Develop and execute FSCB's enterprise-wide payments strategy.
• Identify opportunities in real-time payments, digital wallets, embedded finance, and emerging technologies.
• Drive innovation through new products, partnerships, and process improvements.
• Manage key vendor and technology relationships, including Mastercard, Jack Henry, Q2, Shazam, FIS, Entrust, CPS, and ProfitStars.
• Establish and monitor KPIs to measure success and drive continuous improvement.
• Ensure compliance, risk management, and operational excellence across all payment channels.
• Partner with teams across Retail, Business Services, Operations, IT, Compliance, and Risk Management to implement strategic initiatives.
• Serve as a trusted advisor to executive leadership on payment trends, risks, and opportunities.
• Represent FSCB with industry partners, FinTechs, and professional organizations.

Skills

Payments strategy

Product development

Treasury management

Leadership

Communication

Project management

Tools

Jack Henry

Q2

Mastercard

FIS

Entrust

CPS

ProfitStars

Job description

First State Community Bank is seeking a Director of Payments to lead the enterprise-wide payments strategy and drive innovation across real-time payments, digital wallets, and embedded finance. You will manage vendor relationships and partner with IT, Compliance, and Risk to deliver secure, customer-centric payment solutions.

The role requires strategic thinking, strong knowledge of payment systems, and a passion for advancing financial services.