Job Purpose
The Head of Payments & Governance Application Support is responsible for leading the support, maintenance, and enhancement of payment systems (ACH, SWIFT) and governance applications to ensure seamless, secure, and efficient banking operations.
This role combines technical expertise, strategic oversight, and leadership to ensure that payment applications, automation solutions, and governance systems operate optimally while complying with regulatory standards. The incumbent collaborates with internal IT teams, business stakeholders, vendors, and regulatory authorities to ensure payment platforms and governance applications meet business needs and security requirements.
Main Responsibilities
1. Payments System & Governance Application Strategy
- Develop and implement a comprehensive strategy for payment systems (ACH, SWIFT, RTGS) and governance applications.
- Ensure alignment with banking regulations, compliance requirements, and business objectives.
- Drive digital transformation initiatives related to payments processing, automation, and security enhancements.
2. Payments (ACH & SWIFT) Application Support & Optimization
- Oversee the support, maintenance, and enhancement of core banking payment platforms, including ACH, SWIFT, and RTGS.
- Ensure high availability, security, and performance of payment applications to support financial transactions.
- Collaborate with internal and external stakeholders to enhance transaction processing capabilities.
- Monitor and resolve payment processing issues, ensuring minimal downtime and disruption.
3. Governance Application Support & Compliance
- Oversee the governance of financial applications, ensuring adherence to compliance and risk management policies.
- Conduct periodic audits and assessments of payment and governance applications to maintain security and integrity.
- Ensure payment systems comply with Central Bank regulations, SWIFT standards, PCI DSS, and ISO 27001.
4. Digital & Automation Support
- Manage automation initiatives for payment processing and governance applications to enhance efficiency.
- Oversee the integration of Robotic Process Automation (RPA) and business process automation for governance applications.
- Work with IT teams to improve system interoperability and integration with enterprise banking solutions.
5. Incident, Problem & Change Management
- Implement a robust incident and problem management framework to ensure quick resolution of system issues.
- Oversee the change management process for updates and enhancements to payment and governance applications.
- Establish and track Service Level Agreements (SLAs) and Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) for application support.
6. Vendor & Stakeholder Management
- Manage relationships with SWIFT network providers, ACH vendors, regulatory authorities, and external auditors.
- Collaborate with internal IT teams, business units, and payment system providers to enhance banking solutions.
- Act as the primary contact for payment infrastructure updates, security protocols, and compliance requirements.
7. Security, Risk & Compliance Management
- Ensure secure transaction processing and data protection in all payment and governance applications.
- Implement risk mitigation strategies for payment fraud, cyber threats, and data breaches.
- Work closely with the risk and compliance teams to meet audit, governance, and regulatory requirements.
8. Team Leadership & Development
- Lead, mentor, and develop a team of payment system analysts, governance application specialists, and automation engineers.
- Foster a culture of innovation and continuous learning to improve application support and operational efficiency.
- Ensure team members receive training on emerging payment technologies, security protocols, and compliance standards.
9. Performance Monitoring & Reporting
- Establish and monitor key performance indicators (KPIs) and service level metrics for payment and governance applications.
- Provide regular reports to senior management on system performance, risk assessments, and compliance audits.
- Recommend improvements based on data analytics and industry best practices.
Job Requirements
Education
1· Bachelor’s degree in business administration, accounting, Information Technology, Computer Science, accounting or a related field.
(Master’s degree preferred).
2. Minimum of 8 years of experience in a related field.
Experience
10+ years of experience in IT, with at least 5 years in a leadership role overseeing application support, digital technologies, or automation.
Skills and Competencies:
- · Strong analytical and reporting skills.
- · Results-oriented mindset.
- · Full knowledge of all policies, procedures, and systems related to the field of work &CBE regulations.
- · Proficiency in working with data systems (Oracle, T24 Preferably)
- · Ability to plan, organize, and develop strategies.
- · Crisis and risk management Understanding.
- · Project management skills.
- · Strong communication and interpersonal skills.
- · Presentation and public speaking abilities.
- · Ability to define key performance indicators (KPIs) for the role and for subordinates.
