Innovation 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 Opportunity:

This position will be a champion, building and shaping a superior payment and member experience capability within our Clients and Velera. This includes contributing to the corporate strategy and approach to evangelizing robust digital and physical payment products, geared at enhancing service and member experience. The incumbent will provide guidance and expertise to bring innovative approaches to drive the Path to Purchase; in addition, this role will ensure that efforts are integrated seamlessly into the marketing mix and business plans. This role will drive the vision and thought leadership on how to best reach consumers through robust and ever changing channels, develop and recommend components of a multi-year corporate strategy, plans and roadmaps for Velera and our Clients. This role will be responsible for consulting with Credit Unions and industry players to understand and launch payment and member experience initiatives that leverage both existing and brand new Velera solutions to drive revenue for both Velera and Credit Unions. They will drive discussions, design and help develop products/services that are in alignment with Velera strategies. Working with a matrixed team, help define scope and recommended approach for major projects.

Day in the Life:

• Responsible for information gathering/research; business needs and industry analysis in order to identify key business challenges and opportunities.
• Responsible for contributing to the analytical strategy and defining consumer/customer requirements then driving partners/stakeholders through execution.
• Contribute to the identification of potential solutions through consumer driven “problem solving” approach, gathering and analyzing market data, consumer intelligence, competitive information, as well as internal capabilities and capacity; direct efforts to quickly introduce new and emerging products/solutions and drive them from concept to delivery.
• Understand and communicate demographical, financial and technological market trends effecting solution offerings so market opportunities may be maximized and the negative effects of competitive activity may be minimized; manage new solution offerings appropriately around current market trends.
• Partner with business leaders to identify gaps in existing services and develop strategies to improve or replace those services.
• Provide insight and direction during complex product development projects.
• Develop collaborative relationships amongst all lines of business, to help ensure the team meets corporate strategies and delivery targets.
• Assist in keeping the organization abreast of emerging trends, opportunities along with value added insights to drive the business.
• Support customer requirements and new product design meetings; understand business processes and strategies and closely match technology solutions to those requirements.
• Provide guidance and leadership over project teams involving internal members, as well as, outside vendors and consultants where appropriate.
• Represent the company at conferences, tradeshows and in all major vendor negotiations that impact the development of new products and solutions.

Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree in Business Management or related field required.
• Masters degree preferred. 
• Five (5) years’ experience in financial services card programs/processing product management, marketing or development with new technologies required.
• At least five (5) years’ managing cross functional teams experience required.
• Experience with the credit union industry and core or account processing preferred. 
• Knowledge of:
  • Consumer/customer needs and behaviors related to usage of digital assets and applications
  • Current and future trends in digital platforms and applications
  • Digital and social media analytics
  • Budgetary management, metrics and reporting
  • Implementation of process change
  • General knowledge of UI/UX practices, operating systems Window, iOS and Android required.
  • IT literacy preferred around API integration, application security, frameworks/libraries, databases, servers and programming languages.
• Experience with budget responsibility
• Ability to evaluate and analyze metrics related to digital initiatives
• Proven drive and passion for continuing education independently
• Strong verbal, written, technical communication, and presentation skills
• Minimal travel may be required
• Strategic/Analytical Thinking: Must be a critical and strategic thinker, able to develop and communicate a compelling vision and direction for the team while aligning with the rest of the Company. Strong analytical and problem solving skills, particularly experience understanding and interpreting financials (P&Ls, ROI analysis, volume and spending projections).

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.