The Payments Product Specialist will leverage data analytics, market intelligence, and Member insights to identify opportunities for growth, improve product performance, and enhance product delivery. This role serves as a liaison between internal stakeholders, payment networks, processors, and third-party vendors to ensure products remain competitive, compliant, and aligned with organizational goals.
o Educate, promote, and develop programs that drive growth and usage of payments products and services.
o Maintain working knowledge of RCU's payment products and services, including debit cards, credit cards, digital wallets, P2P solutions, account-to-account transfers, rewards programs, and emerging payment technologies.
o Analyze payment portfolio and product performance, utilization, transaction trends, and Member engagement metrics to identify growth opportunities, evaluate alternatives and recommend product enhancements to reduce Member friction and enhance Member experience.
o Drive the launch and ongoing management of payment product initiatives, enhancements, and promotional campaigns.
o Independently analyze portfolio and transaction data to develop, prioritize, and present recommendations to drive usage, adoption, and Member engagement.
o Support payment product awareness and adoption throughout the organization and communities.
o Monitor industry trends, competitor offerings, and emerging technologies; assess business impacts and recommend strategic product enhancements, functionality improvements, and innovation opportunities.
o Lead or coordinate the evaluation and implementation of new payment products and services, including pilot programs and strategic initiatives by assessing business needs and operational impacts, and providing recommendations to leadership.
o Develop and present business cases, cost-benefit analyses, vendor evaluations, and executive-level recommendations used by management to inform decisions.
o Analyze Member feedback, operational impacts, vendor performance and business results to identify issues, evaluate corrective actions, and recommend opportunities for continuous improvement.
o Collaborate with business partners throughout the organization to develop data driven recommendations to support product decisions.
o Work closely with Risk, Compliance, and Enterprise Fraud teams to ensure payment products operate within regulatory and organizational requirements.
o Monitor third-party vendor performance and standards; identify operational or service issues, evaluate potential solutions and provide recommendations for improvement, in support of vendor due diligence reviews.
o Support departmental projects and cross-functional initiatives.
o Assist with preparing presentations, reporting, and executive communications.
Minimum Qualification: Knowledge, Skills and Abilities
- Knowledge of applicable laws, regulations, and network rules impacting payments, including, but not limited to Regulation E, Regulation Z, UDAAP, PCI DSS requirements, card network operating regulations, BSA, Patriot Act, and OFAC.
- Experience and ability to drive growth and usage of payments products and services.
- Excellent collaboration and communication skills, with the ability to work effectively across departments, with external partners, and the community.
- Ability to plan and deliver internal and external presentations.
- Excellent analytical, problem-solving, critical thinking, and decision-making skills, with the ability to evaluate alternatives and recommend solutions to complex business issues.
- Strong understanding of consumer and business payment products, card programs, and payment ecosystems.
- Experience analyzing portfolio data, transaction trends, and Member adoption metrics.
- Knowledge of debit, credit, digital wallets, real-time payments, and emerging payment technologies.
- Ability to interpret data and provide actionable recommendations to improve product performance.
- Ability to utilize AI to assist and enhance daily functions and production.
- Ability to prioritize multiple initiatives and meet deadlines.
- Knowledge of applicable consumer laws, regulations, and payment network requirements.
- Strong written and verbal communication skills, including the ability to influence decision-making and present findings and recommendations to leadership.
- Highly Member-focused and service-driven.
- Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with a diverse group of people in support of RCU's Mission, Vision, Values, Culture, and Service Standards.
- Ability to treat people with respect, keep commitments, inspire trust, work ethically and with integrity, uphold organizational values, accept responsibility for actions and be accountable.
- Proficient in Microsoft Office applications, reporting tools, and data analysis platforms.
Preferred Qualifications
- Experience directly supporting payment products, card portfolios, digital payment solutions, or payment operations within a financial institution.
- Experience working with payment systems, fintech partners, or payment-related vendors.
- Experience with data analytics, reporting, business case development, and product performance measurement.
- Experience with business development and/or sales of financial services.
Skills Required
- Knowledge of applicable payment laws, regulations, and network rules, including Regulation E, Regulation Z, UDAAP, PCI DSS, BSA, the Patriot Act, and OFAC
- Experience driving growth and usage of payment products and services
- Strong understanding of consumer and business payment products, card programs, and payment ecosystems
- Experience analyzing portfolio data, transaction trends, and member adoption metrics
- Knowledge of debit cards, credit cards, digital wallets, real-time payments, and emerging payment technologies
- Strong analytical, problem-solving, critical-thinking, and decision-making skills
- Ability to interpret data and provide actionable product-performance recommendations
- Excellent written, verbal, collaboration, presentation, and stakeholder-influence skills
- Ability to use AI to assist and enhance daily functions and production
- Proficiency with Microsoft Office applications, reporting tools, and data analysis platforms
- Ability to prioritize multiple initiatives and meet deadlines
- Bachelor's degree in business administration, marketing, or a closely related field, or equivalent education and experience
- At least five years of experience in financial services
- Experience supporting payment products, card portfolios, digital payment solutions, or payment operations within a financial institution
- Experience working with payment systems, fintech partners, or payment-related vendors
- Experience with data analytics, reporting, business case development, and product performance measurement
- Experience with business development or financial-services sales
What We Do
Redwood Credit Union is a full-service financial cooperative, assisting consumers and small business owners with achieving their financial goals and dreams since 1950. We’re a financial cooperative that truly cares about the financial goals and dreams of those who do business with us. With a wide variety of products and services designed to meet our Members’ financial needs, there’s something for everyone. And each Member actually owns part of the Credit Union and has a voice in what we do and how we do it. An excellent place to work, RCU was recently recognized by Forbes as one of “America’s Best Small Employers 2023.” And for 17 years running, we’ve been awarded Best Places to Work by the North Bay Business Journal. We continue today to build upon a solid philosophical and business foundation—treating Members with respect and personal care while offering unbeatable value. Federally insured by NCUA. Equal housing lender. *** Non-deposit investment products and services are offered through CUSO Financial Services, L.P. (“CFS”), a registered broker-dealer (Member FINRA www.finra.org /SIPC www.sipc.org ) and SEC Registered Investment Advisor. Products offered through CFS: are not NCUA/NCUSIF or otherwise federally insured, are not guarantees or obligations of the credit union, and may involve investment risk including possible loss of principal. Investment Representatives are registered through CFS. Redwood Credit Union has contracted with CFS to make non-deposit investment products and services available to credit union members. Investment representatives at Redwood Credit Union are licensed to transact securities business in CA. For more information concerning CFS or its representative(s) associated with this site, please review FINRA Broker Check by accessing the following link and typing in the firm / representative information in the search field. http://brokercheck.finra.org/Search/Search.aspx








