Director of Card

About the Role:

The Director of Card Payments is responsible for the strategic leadership, management, and operational oversight of the Bank’s consumer and small business credit card programs, merchant services partnerships, in-house debit card portfolio, and commercial credit card portfolio. This role is pivotal in driving product innovation, operational excellence, and partnership success across all card payment channels.

• Develop and execute the strategic roadmap for all card payment products, including consumer, small business, and commercial credit cards, as well as debit card offerings.
• Lead cross-functional initiatives to modernize and enhance the Bank’s card payment solutions, ensuring alignment with enterprise technology and operational goals.
• Analyze industry trends and emerging technologies to identify new payment methods and solutions that drive customer value and operational efficiency.
• Mentor and develop a high-performing team of payment professionals, fostering a collaborative and innovative work environment.
• Ensure cross-training and documentation of critical functions to support business continuity and disaster recovery planning.
• Monitor key performance indicators (KPIs) to identify areas for operational improvement and risk mitigation
• Proactively address compliance risks and operational issues, implementing strategies to minimize financial loss and enhance customer experience.
• Manage and optimize partnerships with external payment processors, merchant services providers, and card networks to ensure best-in-class service and pricing.
• Serve as the primary contact for internal and external audits and regulatory reviews related to card and payment operations.
• Negotiate contracts and service agreements with vendors and partners to support the Bank’s card payment programs.
• Oversee day-to-day processing activities, which may include portfolio and cardholder maintenance, transaction monitoring,reconciliation, fraud prevention, and dispute resolution.
• Ensure operational excellence and compliance with all relevant payment regulations, industry standards, and legal requirements(e.g., PCI DSS, Reg E, Reg Z, BSA/AML).
• Lead periodic reviews and assessments of operational tasks to ensure compliance and effective risk management.
• Direct the management of the Bank’s in-house debit card and commercial credit card portfolios, including product development,lifecycle management, and operational support.
• Collaborate with internal teams (Product, Operations, Marketing, Compliance, Finance) to integrate payment solutions and supportbusinessobjective.
• Demonstrates compliance with all bank regulations for assigned job function and applies to designated job responsibilities – knowledge may be gained through coursework and on-the-job training. Keeps up to date on regulation changes.
• Follows all Bank policies and procedures, compliance regulations, and completes all required annual or job-specific training.
• Maintain a working knowledge of Bank's written policies and procedures regarding Bank Secrecy Act, Regulation CC, Regulation E, Bank Security and other regulations as applicable to this job description.
• May be asked to coach, mentor, or train others and teach coursework as subject matter expert.
• Actively learns, demonstrates, and fosters the Columbia corporate culture in all actions and words.
• Takes personal initiative and is a positive example for others to emulate.
• Embraces our vision to become “Business Bank of Choice”
• May perform other duties as assigned.

• Bachelor's degree in Finance, Technology, or related field; advanced degree preferred.
  
  Required
• 7+ years leadership experience in card payments, payment operations, or financial services, ideally within a regional or community bank. Required
• Proven experience managing partnerships, vendor relationships, and cross-functional teams.
• Deep knowledge of payment regulations, card network rules, and operational best practices.
• Strong analytical, strategic thinking, and problem-solving skills.
• Excellent communication, negotiation, and leadership abilities.

Ability to work fully onsite at posted location(s).

The pay range for this role is $ - $.

The pay rate for…