OVERVIEW

The ACH Product Owner serves as the Bank's subject matter expert and primary point of contact for all Automated Clearing House (ACH) operations, product management, compliance, and partner support. This role is responsible for overseeing the ACH product lifecycle, ensuring compliance with NACHA rules and regulatory requirements, managing operational risk, supporting customers and business partners, and driving process improvements to enhance efficiency and scalability.

The ACH Product Owner partners with internal departments, payment partners, and third-party vendors to ensure the ACH program operates effectively while supporting the Bank's strategic initiatives and delivering an exceptional customer experience.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITES include the following.

Product Ownership & Partner Management

• Serve as the primary point of contact for all ACH-related inquiries from internal departments, customers, payment partners, and third-party service providers. 
• Lead onboarding and implementation of new ACH partners and originating customers. 
• Support existing partners and customers with ACH services, including exposure limit reviews and product enhancements. 
• Collaborate with vendors, including Fiserv and Direct Access partners, to resolve operational issues and improve service delivery. 
• Identify opportunities to expand ACH capabilities and improve the customer experience. 

Compliance & Risk Management

• Ensure ongoing compliance with NACHA Operating Rules, applicable regulations, and Bank policies. 
• Communicate NACHA rule changes and regulatory updates to internal stakeholders, customers, and partners. 
• Conduct annual ACH Originator Reviews and maintain supporting documentation. 
• Partner with Compliance, Risk Management, Information Security, and Internal Audit to complete annual ACH risk assessments. 
• Monitor ACH activity, return rates, and exposure to identify trends and mitigate operational risk. 
• Serve as the Bank's ACH subject matter expert during audits and examinations. 

Operations & Reconciliation

• Perform daily ACH reconciliation and resolve balancing discrepancies. 
• Oversee ACH exception processing, return notifications, and customer dispute resolution. 
• Coordinate resolution of ACH processing issues and operational exceptions. 
• Ensure timely communication with customers and payment partners regarding returns, corrections, and processing issues. 

Reporting & Analytics

• Prepare quarterly ACH reporting for Executive Leadership and the Board of Directors. 
• Compile and submit required NACHA and Direct Access participant reporting. 
• Develop and enhance reporting tools that improve operational monitoring, risk management, and executive reporting. 
• Analyze ACH transaction trends, return rates, and performance metrics to support business decisions. 

Process Improvement

• Establish standardized ACH procedures and a centralized support model. 
• Streamline audit preparation and documentation to improve efficiency and reduce operational risk. 
• Clarify ACH ownership and responsibilities across departments. 
• Identify opportunities to automate manual ACH processes, including return processing and operational reporting. 
• Recommend and implement process improvements that enhance accuracy, scalability, and customer service. 

SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITIES

This job does not have managerial responsibilities.

QUALIFICATIONS

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

EDUCATION and/or EXPERIENCE

• Accredited ACH Professional (AAP) certification required. 
• High school diploma or GED required. 
• Equivalent combination of education and relevant experience will be considered.
• Minimum of five (5) years of experience supporting ACH operations, digital payments, treasury management, or payment systems. 
• Experience working with NACHA rules, compliance, and operational risk management. 
• Strong knowledge of NACHA Operating Rules and ACH payment processing. 
• Excellent analytical, organizational, and problem-solving skills. 
• Strong attention to detail and accuracy. 
• Exceptional written and verbal communication skills. 
• Ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced environment. 
• Strong customer service and relationship management skills. 
• High level of integrity, professionalism, and sound judgment. 
• Advanced proficiency in Microsoft Excel and Microsoft Office applications. 
• Ability to analyze data and produce accurate management reports. 

OTHER QUALIFICATIONS

• Clear and effective communicator 
• Collaborative team player 
• Detail-driven with a high level of accuracy

PREFERRED / PLUS QUALIFIACATIONS

• Bachelor's degree in Business, Finance, Accounting, or a related field preferred. 
• Experience collaborating with payment processors and third-party vendors preferred. 
• Experience developing reporting and improving operational processes preferred. 

SUCCESS MEASURES

Success in this role will be demonstrated through:

• Strong ACH compliance with NACHA rules and regulatory requirements. 
• Accurate and timely Board and regulatory reporting. 
• Effective monitoring of ACH risk and return rates. 
• Successful onboarding and support of ACH customers and partners. 
• Continuous process improvements that increase efficiency and reduce manual work. 
• Positive internal and external customer satisfaction. 
• Effective collaboration across departments and with third-party partners.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential function of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable Individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. 

Travel: Travel to client offices, prospects, branches, and industry events.

While performing the duties of this Job, the employee is regularly required to sit; use hands to finger, handle, or feel and talk or hear. The employee is frequently required to reach with hands and arms. The employee is occasionally required to stand; walk and stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl. The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 10 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, color vision and ability to adjust focus.

WORK ENVIRONMENT

While performing the duties of this Job, the employee is occasionally exposed to outside weather conditions. The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate.

EQUAL EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY

Patriot Bank is an Equal Opportunity Employer and does not discriminate based on race, color, religion, sex, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, national origin, ancestry, age, disability, medical condition, genetic information, marital status, veteran status, or any other protected status under federal, state, or local law.

This job description indicates the general nature and level of work expected of the incumbent. It is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive list of activities, duties or responsibilities required of the incumbent. Incumbents may be asked to perform other duties as required.