PMO Strategist

Velera is the nation’s premier payments credit union service organization (CUSO) and an integrated fintech solutions provider. The company serves more than 4,000 financial institutions throughout North America, operating with velocity to help our clients keep pace with the rapid momentum of change and fuel growth in the new era of financial services. Our purpose: We accelerate partners’ success through innovative financial technology solutions and inspired service.

The PMO Strategist will be responsible for issue resolution, working closely with senior leadership (CEO, COO, CIO, CFO) to resolve issues within the Project Management Office (PMO) and oversee the functions, processes, and procedures of Velera’s Project Delivery and Onboarding team. As the primary point of escalation, this position will proactively remove barriers to ensure that projects stay on schedule. Additionally, this individual will provide leadership to Project Managers and Analysts working on complex implementations and ensure that operational risk in the department is identified and eliminated or minimized, and controlled. The PMO Strategist will quality check staff’s adherence to department policy, coach and implement training opportunities, process improvements, or efficiencies based on trend analysis and individual performance. As the Project Strategist, this individual will interface with senior-level executives at financial institutions, cross-functional Velera teams, third-party vendors, industry consultants, and business partners. Client-facing, this complex position serves as the primary escalation point for Velera’s highest visible projects. This individual must possess critical thinking, strong executive presence,e and negotiation to expertly navigate large teams in an elevated state for solutioning and will be available on call after-hours support for implementation go-lives. Within escalation, the Strategist will be responsible for formally communicating with leadership and stakeholders real-time information regarding issues, performance, financial impacts, service level performance, and participating in Lessons Learned and Root Cause Analysis exercises. Within this role’s responsibilities, critical service-related issue tracking and analysis ensure quality service and positive relationships between Velera and financial institutions. Utilizing strategic data insights, this position also plays a strong role in Velera’s strategic business partner relationship and produces output for Quarterly Business Reviews, including performance levels, risk factors, brand reputation, and financial impacts. As a project, payment industry, and technical expert, this position reports to the VP of Project Management Office (PMO) and will contribute to strategic planning and must possess the ability to work in conceptual spaces to write business requirements that support Client Delivery Experience’s mission and vision. In addition, this individual will drive execution as a subject matter expert partnering with Sales, Client Growth, Project Enablement, and Solution Designs for complex project inquiries, prospective sale,s or project design strategy.

• Works directly with Project Team, PMO Managers, VP of PMO, Client Growth, Client Delivery Experience, Partners, and financial institutions via phone, email, on-site, and webinar.

• Interact and present to the leadership team on the progress of the project's key metrics.

• Perform or assist in problem resolution, recommending alternative techniques and providing training/guidance related to primary areas of responsibility.

• Achieves operational objectives by contributing information and recommendations to strategic plans, project metrics, risk assessments, and completing action plans.

• Serves as the point of contact for escalations, drives escalation/issue resolution, and communication plan protocol.

• Serves as a subject matter expert, leveraging knowledge of payments, business partners, operations, Visa, and Mastercard, and vendor integration.

• Interface with business partners' management to review project health and coordinate contingency plans where needed.

• Maintain thorough knowledge of both industry standard best practices and PMO processes as they pertain to project management/deployment and all supported areas of operations.

• Understands functional performance standards and procedures to ensure compliance with overall corporate policies and business unit objectives.

• Implements production, productivity, quality, and customer-service standards by resolving problems, completing audits, identifying trends, determining system improvements, and implementing change.

• Enhances department and organization reputation by accepting ownership for accomplishing new and different requests and exploring opportunities to add value to job accomplishments.

• Collaborate with cross-functional teams on sensitive issues, recommended procedures, and new processes as needed to prevent future losses.

• Maintains and reports on a comprehensive list of issues and operational losses with preventative measures.

• Review all processes within the department to ensure optimal delivery of service and production. Identify and recommend management enhancement opportunities to promote improved operational efficiency.

• Provides leadership and oversight of staff for the implementation of pilot and high complexity projects.

• Identifies opportunities for ‘group’ training and collaboration events.

• Participates in hiring and onboarding new employees. Provides feedback for quarterly performance reviews.  

• After-hours on-call support for project installs

• Maintaining working knowledge of the Project Management and reporting PMO tools

• Creates successful partnerships internally and externally.

• Perform other duties as assigned.

Qualifications

About Velera

At Velera we are committed to fostering a workplace where every employee feels valued, respected, and connected. We understand, attract and engage a diverse workforce where every employee can live up to their full potential; ensuring that our employee base reflects the consumers we serve. The result of this effort is an inclusive environment where diverse talent thrives. We strive to foster a safe and inclusive work environment for people to bring their authentic selves in order to build a better community within our company and with our partners.   Learn more about our commitment to Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion HERE!

Pay Equity

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Actual Pay will be adjusted based on experience and other job-related factors permitted by law.

Great Work/Life Benefits!

• Competitive wages

• Medical with telemedicine

• Dental and Vision

• Basic and Optional Life Insurance

• Paid Time Off (PTO)

• Maternity, Parental, Family Care

• Community Volunteer Time Off

• 12 Paid Holidays

• Company Paid Disability Insurance

• 401k (with employer match)

• Health Savings Accounts (HSA) with company provided contributions

• Flexible Spending Accounts (FSA)

• Supplemental Insurance

• Mental Health and Well-being: Employee Assistance Program (EAP)

• Tuition Reimbursement

• Wellness program

• Benefits are subject to generally applicable eligibility, waiting period, contribution, and other requirements and conditions

Velera is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We consider applicants without regard to race, color, religion, age, national origin, ancestry, ethnicity, gender, gender identity, gender expression, sexual orientation, marital status, veteran status, disability, genetic information, citizenship status, or membership in any other group protected by federal, state or local law.

Velera is an Equal Opportunity Employer that complies with the laws and regulations set forth in the following "EEO is the Law" Poster. Velera will not discharge or in any other manner discriminate against employees or applicants because they have inquired about, discussed, or disclosed their own pay or the pay of another employee or applicant. However, employees who have access to the compensation information of other employees or applicants as a part of their essential job functions cannot disclose the pay of other employees or applicants to individuals who do not otherwise have access to compensation information, unless the disclosure is (a) in response to a formal complaint or charge, (b) in furtherance of an investigation, proceeding, hearing, or action, including an investigation conducted by the employer, or (c) consistent with the legal duty to furnish information.

Velera is an E-Verify Employer. Review the E-Verify Poster here.  For information regarding your Right To Work, please click here.

As an ongoing commitment to reasonably accommodate individuals with disabilities please contact a recruiter at [email protected] for assistance.