Project Manager Card Management ICONIC IT CONSULTING SERVICES L.L.C

Job Summary:

• We are seeking an experienced and highly skilled Project Manager to lead the end-to-end implementation of a dedicated Cards Reconciliation Application and Dispute Management Module.
• This pivotal role requires a seasoned professional with deep domain expertise in the cards and payments industry, including a thorough understanding of transaction lifecycles, financial messaging (e.g., ISO 8583), card network schemas, and the intricacies of payment switches.
• The ideal candidate will be instrumental in delivering a robust, efficient, and compliant solution that enhances our operational capabilities and customer satisfaction.

Key Responsibilities:

Project Leadership & Management:

• Lead the full project lifecycle from initiation to closure, including planning, execution, monitoring, control, and closure for the Cards Reconciliation Application and Dispute Management Module.
• Define project scope, objectives, deliverables, and success criteria in collaboration with key stakeholders.
• Develop comprehensive project plans, including detailed timelines, resource allocation, budget management, and risk mitigation strategies.
• Manage project interdependencies, critical paths, and resource conflicts across various teams (e.g., business operations, IT, vendors, compliance).
• Track project progress, identify deviations from plan, and implement corrective actions as needed.
• Prepare and present regular project status reports to senior management and stakeholders.

Domain Expertise & Solution Design:

• Leverage deep knowledge of cards and payments processing, including acquiring, issuing, authorization, clearing, and settlement processes.
• Possess a strong understanding of card network rules and regulations (e.g., Visa, Mastercard, UnionPay) pertaining to reconciliation and dispute resolution.
• Demonstrate in-depth knowledge of financial messaging schemas (e.g., ISO 8583, ISO 20022) and their application in transaction processing.
• Understand the role and functionality of payment switches and their interaction with downstream systems for reconciliation and dispute handling.
• Collaborate with business analysts, solution architects, and technical teams to translate business requirements into detailed functional and technical specifications for the reconciliation application and dispute management module.
• Ensure the designed solution addresses all aspects of card reconciliation (daily, weekly, monthly), exception handling, chargeback processing, and regulatory compliance.

Stakeholder Management:

• Act as the primary point of contact for all project-related communication with internal stakeholders (e.g., Operations, Finance, IT, Compliance, Legal) and external vendors/partners.
• Facilitate workshops and meetings to gather requirements, resolve issues, and gain consensus.
• Manage expectations, provide timely updates, and build strong relationships with all project participants.

Risk & Quality Management:

• Proactively identify, assess, and mitigate project risks and issues, developing contingency plans where necessary.
• Implement robust quality assurance processes to ensure the delivered solution meets functional, non-functional, and performance requirements.
• Ensure strict adherence to compliance standards, internal policies, and regulatory guidelines (e.g., PCI DSS, local financial regulations).

Team Leadership & Mentorship:

• Lead and motivate cross-functional project teams, fostering a collaborative and high-performing environment.
• Provide guidance, mentorship, and support to team members, promoting their professional growth and development.
• Conduct performance reviews for project team members where applicable.

Vendor Management:

• Oversee vendor selection, contract negotiation, and ongoing performance management for any third-party solutions or services utilized in the project.
• Ensure vendor deliverables align with project scope, quality standards, and timelines.

Experience:

• Minimum of 8-10 years of progressive experience in project management, with at least 3-5 years in a Senior Project Manager role, specifically within the banking, financial services, or payments industry.
• Mandatory: Proven experience in implementing or significantly enhancing cards reconciliation systems and/or dispute management modules.
• Demonstrated track record of successfully delivering complex, enterprise-level IT projects on time and within budget.

Technical Skills & Domain Knowledge:

• Deep understanding of the entire card transaction lifecycle, including authorization, clearing, and settlement.
• Expertise in payment switch functionalities and their role in card processing.
• Comprehensive knowledge of card scheme rules and regulations (Visa, Mastercard, etc.) related to chargebacks, retrievals, and reconciliation.
• In-depth understanding of financial message formats (e.g., ISO 8583, ISO 20022, proprietary formats) and their data elements.
• Familiarity with various reconciliation methodologies (e.g., one-to-one, batch, algorithmic).
• Knowledge of database schemas, data warehousing concepts, and data integration patterns relevant to financial systems.
• Experience with reconciliation software solutions (e.g., Fiserv, ACI Worldwide, in-house systems) is a strong plus.
• Proficiency in project management software (e.g., Jira, Microsoft Project, Asana).

Soft Skills:

• Exceptional leadership, communication (written and verbal), and interpersonal skills.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving abilities with a keen attention to detail.
• Ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced, dynamic environment.
• Excellent stakeholder management and negotiation skills.
• Proactive, self-motivated, and results-oriented with a strong sense of ownership.
• Ability to influence and drive change across various organizational levels