Hybrid Role: Product Owner with Instant Payments at NYC

Role Overview:
Product Owner with deep expertise in the Payments domain, particularly with hands-on experience in Instant Payments implementation. This role demands a strategic thinker who can design holistic solutions, challenge existing paradigms constructively, and drive Product vision and execution in a fast-evolving payments landscape.

Key Responsibilities:

• Lead the product strategy and roadmap for Instant Payments, aligning with business goals and market trends.
• Drive end-to-end implementation of Instant Payments solutions, including integration with payment networks and real-time settlement systems.
• Collaborate cross-functionally with engineering, operations, compliance, and client teams to deliver scalable and secure payment solutions.
• Define and write clear business requirements, epics, and user stories to guide development teams.
• Engage with clients and stakeholders to understand needs, gather feedback, and ensure alignment with product objectives.
• Constructively challenge existing processes and structures to define optimal product objectives and delivery frameworks.
• Ensure compliance with regulatory standards and industry best practices in payment processing.
• Monitor market trends and competitor offerings to inform product decisions and maintain competitive advantage.

Required Skills & Qualifications:

• Minimum 12+ years of experience in the Payments industry, with at least 3–5 years focused on Instant Payments.
• Proven track record of hands-on implementation of Instant Payments systems (e.g., RTP, FedNow, SEPA Instant).
• Strong understanding of payment messaging structures (ISO 20022, SWIFT, NACHA, etc.).
• Ability to think holistically and architect solutions that span multiple systems and stakeholders.
• Excellent oral and written communication skills; able to convey complex concepts clearly and persuasively.
• Demonstrated client-facing experience, including stakeholder management and solution presentations.
• Experience in writing business requirements, epics, and user stories in Agile environments.
• Deep knowledge of the payments ecosystem, including regulatory frameworks, settlement processes, and emerging technologies.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills with a proactive and collaborative mindset.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Experience working with US-based payment systems such as FedNow, RTP (The Clearing House), and Zelle.
• Familiarity with Agile/Scrum methodologies and tools like Jira, Confluence, and Figma.
• Prior experience in financial institutions, fintechs, or payment processors.