Woodforest Acceptance Solutions · 20 hours ago
Director, Sponsor Bank Program Oversight
Houston, TX
Full-time
Onsite
Mid, Senior Level
7+ years expWoodforest Acceptance Solutions is seeking a Director for their Sponsor Bank Program Oversight. This role is responsible for ensuring compliance with sponsor bank requirements and serves as a liaison between internal teams and the sponsor bank, focusing on governance, operational controls, and regulatory compliance.
Financial ServicesPaymentsProfessional Services
Responsibilities
Own the sponsor‑bank governance framework (charters, RACIs, SLAs/KPIs/KRIs, issue management) and ensure alignment to sponsor‑bank expectations and contractual obligations
Lead initial and ongoing due diligence readiness (financial, operational, information security, BCP/DR, privacy, PCI/SOC, model governance) and coordinate evidence for sponsor‑bank reviews
Conduct constructive review and authorize internal changes that impact the sponsor program (new products/use cases, risk appetite/thresholds, vendor changes, pricing/fee structures, geographies)
Guide safe processing decisions across an evolving payments landscape, including emerging markets (i.e., crypto, digital currencies, blockchain, etc.), determining if those environments align with our organizational capabilities, policy & compliance standards, and long-term strategic objectives
Drive a forward‑looking risk assessment of inherent/residual risks (operational, settlement/credit, fraud, BSA/AML, sanctions, consumer, reputational, cyber) and ensure control owners execute remediation plans
Partner with VP Risk/Compliance to ensure internal policies/procedures conform to sponsor‑bank compliance framework, BSA/AML/OFAC, Reg E/UDAAP/GLBA, NACHA rules, card network rules, and RTP/FedNow participation standards (as applicable)
Participate in sponsor‑bank, internal audit, and external audit exams/reviews
Partner with VP Risk/Compliance to define and monitor exposure limits (e.g., daily processing caps, prefunding requirements, ACH return and chargeback thresholds, fraud and loss rate KRIs); trigger escalation and remediation when breached
Ensure the effectiveness of KYB/KYC, sanctions screening, transaction monitoring, SAR decisioning/filings, and case management, consistent with sponsor‑bank standards
Review and partner with VP Risk/Compliance to optimize fraud strategy (authentication, velocity/limits, 3‑D Secure or network tools, dispute handling and representment) and track fraud loss trends to risk appetite
Oversee model governance (risk scoring, underwriting, fraud/AML models): documentation, testing/validation, change control, performance monitoring, and sponsor‑bank visibility
Serve as the internal owner of sponsor‑bank obligations, ensuring the processing organization maintains full compliance with contractual, regulatory, and risk expectations set by the sponsor bank
Coordinate on Quarterly Business Reviews (QBRs ) and routine governance forums; prepare executive‑level materials for both internal leadership and sponsor‑bank stakeholders
Maintain strong working relationships with Legal, Product, Engineering, Operations, Finance/Treasury, Information Security, and Data teams to embed sponsor‑bank requirements in day‑to‑day execution
Produce comprehensive program dashboards and executive reports (volumes, auth/return/chargeback ratios, fraud and AML metrics, complaints, SLAs, incidents, losses, settlement exposures, and control health)
Approve or support refinement of internal changes that affect sponsor‑bank obligations, including policies, controls, limits, and new product risk assessments
Escalate to the sponsor bank per agreed protocols for material incidents, threshold breaches, or changes in risk profile
Hold internal owners accountable for remediation timelines and evidence, ensuring transparency with the sponsor bank
Align program policies with Visa and Mastercard Third Party guidance
Represent WAS and the sponsor bank in C-level and strategic discussions, including onsite visits with key clients and represent the collaborative approach to risk management and decision making
Build and maintain key relationships and ensure adherence to shared policies, and regulatory expectations, presenting information clearly to internal and external partners
Qualification
Required
7+ years in payments/fintech, sponsor‑bank programs, acquiring/issuing, or enterprise risk/compliance, BaaS; demonstrated leadership in program oversight
Demonstrated experience leading oversight of payment processing programs or fintech partners
Expertise with card network rules, NACHA, RTP/FedNow participation, and payment settlement processes
Strong background in regulatory compliance and third‑party risk management
Deep understanding of payments operations and settlement mechanics across one or more rails (card acquiring, ACH, push‑to‑card, RTP/FedNow, wires)
Strong command of BSA/AML/OFAC, consumer protection, NACHA, and payment network rules; able to interpret and operationalize requirements
Deep knowledge of sponsor bank models and fintech product flows
Experience working with regulators or supporting regulatory exams
Advanced analytical skills: exposure monitoring, reconciliation validation, loss provisioning, and KPI/KRI design
Exceptional stakeholder management, executive communication, and negotiation skills—comfortable engaging bank partners and regulators
Data‑driven mindset; high proficiency in Excel/Sheets and familiarity with BI/reporting tools
An eye for identifying weak points in processes and organizational structures
Strong attention to detail and high concern for data accuracy with the ability to follow directions and apply proper policies, procedures, and guidelines
Proficiency with Microsoft Office applications
Strong organizational and time management skills, with the ability to multi-task, maintain accuracy, and meet deadlines in a fast-paced, high-volume environment
Strong verbal and written communication skills with the ability to maintain confidentiality and professionalism while interacting with regulators, customers and internal team members
Ability to follow directions, apply proper policies, procedures and guidelines and make objective decisions based on analysis of data and patterns
Self-starter possessing the ability to work independently while supporting a team environment
A thorough understanding of the latest process enhancement strategies
Leadership and mentoring skills
Preferred
advanced degree or certifications (CAMS, CRCM, CFE, CISA, AAP, or similar)
Company
Woodforest Acceptance Solutions
Woodforest Acceptance Solutions specializes in payment processing.
51-200 employees
Funding
Current Stage
Growth StageLeadership Team
Sharon Geib
Chief Accounting Officer (CAO)
Recent News
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