Spire - Pay with Spire, Inc.
VP Issuing & Payment Processing
Spire - Pay with Spire, Inc., Dallas, Texas, United States, 75215
VP Issuing & Payment Processing
Operations | Full-time | Dallas, Texas
Salary: $140,000‑$175,000
About Us
Spire is on a mission to change in‑store payments through a merchant‑branded, pay‑by‑bank platform. We enable merchants to reduce transaction costs, drive loyalty, and deliver a seamless customer experience—without disrupting existing checkout systems. Job Overview
VP, Issuing & Payment Processing is a critical role responsible for overseeing Spire’s issuing and payment processing operations, relationships and commercial agreements with card and ACH processing networks and key third‑party vendors. The VP serves as the primary liaison between our issuing and payment partners and internal teams, overseeing performance, new integrations, and issue resolution. The VP will also lead cross‑functional process optimization projects, while designing and maintaining the internal policies and procedures necessary to ensure continuous compliance with applicable requirements and contract terms. This role requires expertise in payment ecosystems. Key Responsibilities
Network & Vendor Relationship Operational Management and Compliance
Establish and maintain strong working relationships with payment networks and critical payment vendors that support Spire’s issuing and payment processing platform and operations. Lead and drive all efforts related to the Company's issuing platform, ensuring smooth issuance, activation, usage with attention to physical and virtual card solutions, while partnering with the Product team. Manage the full lifecycle of payment vendor contracts, partnering with internal teams to conduct initial due diligence and periodic vendor review, and ensuring internal and vendor compliance with contract and reporting requirements. Conduct regular business reviews with vendors, assessing their performance against KPIs, and driving strategic initiatives to improve operational efficiency and reliability. Develop playbooks and escalation procedures for partner audits, network registration and vendor monitoring. Stay current on applicable card network rules, ACH payment processing rules, mandates, and regulatory changes. Serve as a key escalation point for issuing and payment operations issues.
Operational Excellence & Process Management
Lead internal efforts to ensure full organizational adherence to contract, network rules, and ACH payment processing rules, including the design and management of the lifecycle of internal policies, standards, and procedures, ensuring alignment with relevant laws and industry best practices. Design, optimize, and standardize business processes to ensure efficiency and quality. Identify bottlenecks or gaps, and implement process improvements and reduce waste. Collaborate closely with Legal, IT Security, Product, and Engineering teams to embed ‘Compliance‑by‑Design’ principles into products, services, and operational processes to drive scalability and support business growth. Drive automation and technology adoption, including identifying, piloting, and implementing AI/ML solutions that optimize company processes, enhance efficiency, and unlock new value across the organization. Motivate and guide internal stakeholders through organizational change. As applicable, lead cross‑functional rollout strategies for new initiatives, systems and programs; defining governance, communications, and measurement standards. Own the development and delivery of communications related to operations updates, launches and procedural changes.
People Leadership
Build, mentor, and develop high‑performing a high‑performing team; influence across levels from hourly team members to the executive with credibility and clarity.
Qualifications
7+ years of progressive experience in payments, fintech or related industries, preferably with direct experience in card issuing, launching new payment products and network compliance, or pay by bank. At least 3 years in a leadership or strategic program management role. Bachelor’s degree in Bank, Payment, Business or a related field (advanced degree preferred). Hands‑on expertise in payment processing ecosystems, with expertise in issuing platforms, virtual card solutions, ACH and card processing, strongly preferred. Exceptional analytical, communication and relationship management skills. Ability to manage multiple priorities in a dynamic, fast paced environment. Ability to operate as both an individual contributor, and to lead and supervise direct reports. Ability to explain complex items in a clear and concise manner to those not familiar with the items, strong presentation skills a plus. Proven ability to manage budgets, financials, and resource allocation. Proactive, innovative and collaborative mindset. Why Join Spire
At Spire, we’re building something that’s not only innovative, but meaningful. We’re creating a modern payments platform that delivers real value to both merchants and consumers—lowering costs, increasing loyalty and making everyday purchases more rewarding. Our team is small, nimble and driven by purpose. Everyone here has a seat at the table and the opportunity to shape the future of the company. We move fast, support each other and take pride in doing great work together. If you’re looking for a place where your ideas matter and your work has real impact, Spire is the place to be. Benefits & Perks
Health/Dental/Vision insurance 401(k) or retirement benefits Unlimited PTO Team events
#J-18808-Ljbffr
Spire is on a mission to change in‑store payments through a merchant‑branded, pay‑by‑bank platform. We enable merchants to reduce transaction costs, drive loyalty, and deliver a seamless customer experience—without disrupting existing checkout systems. Job Overview
VP, Issuing & Payment Processing is a critical role responsible for overseeing Spire’s issuing and payment processing operations, relationships and commercial agreements with card and ACH processing networks and key third‑party vendors. The VP serves as the primary liaison between our issuing and payment partners and internal teams, overseeing performance, new integrations, and issue resolution. The VP will also lead cross‑functional process optimization projects, while designing and maintaining the internal policies and procedures necessary to ensure continuous compliance with applicable requirements and contract terms. This role requires expertise in payment ecosystems. Key Responsibilities
Network & Vendor Relationship Operational Management and Compliance
Establish and maintain strong working relationships with payment networks and critical payment vendors that support Spire’s issuing and payment processing platform and operations. Lead and drive all efforts related to the Company's issuing platform, ensuring smooth issuance, activation, usage with attention to physical and virtual card solutions, while partnering with the Product team. Manage the full lifecycle of payment vendor contracts, partnering with internal teams to conduct initial due diligence and periodic vendor review, and ensuring internal and vendor compliance with contract and reporting requirements. Conduct regular business reviews with vendors, assessing their performance against KPIs, and driving strategic initiatives to improve operational efficiency and reliability. Develop playbooks and escalation procedures for partner audits, network registration and vendor monitoring. Stay current on applicable card network rules, ACH payment processing rules, mandates, and regulatory changes. Serve as a key escalation point for issuing and payment operations issues.
Operational Excellence & Process Management
Lead internal efforts to ensure full organizational adherence to contract, network rules, and ACH payment processing rules, including the design and management of the lifecycle of internal policies, standards, and procedures, ensuring alignment with relevant laws and industry best practices. Design, optimize, and standardize business processes to ensure efficiency and quality. Identify bottlenecks or gaps, and implement process improvements and reduce waste. Collaborate closely with Legal, IT Security, Product, and Engineering teams to embed ‘Compliance‑by‑Design’ principles into products, services, and operational processes to drive scalability and support business growth. Drive automation and technology adoption, including identifying, piloting, and implementing AI/ML solutions that optimize company processes, enhance efficiency, and unlock new value across the organization. Motivate and guide internal stakeholders through organizational change. As applicable, lead cross‑functional rollout strategies for new initiatives, systems and programs; defining governance, communications, and measurement standards. Own the development and delivery of communications related to operations updates, launches and procedural changes.
People Leadership
Build, mentor, and develop high‑performing a high‑performing team; influence across levels from hourly team members to the executive with credibility and clarity.
Qualifications
7+ years of progressive experience in payments, fintech or related industries, preferably with direct experience in card issuing, launching new payment products and network compliance, or pay by bank. At least 3 years in a leadership or strategic program management role. Bachelor’s degree in Bank, Payment, Business or a related field (advanced degree preferred). Hands‑on expertise in payment processing ecosystems, with expertise in issuing platforms, virtual card solutions, ACH and card processing, strongly preferred. Exceptional analytical, communication and relationship management skills. Ability to manage multiple priorities in a dynamic, fast paced environment. Ability to operate as both an individual contributor, and to lead and supervise direct reports. Ability to explain complex items in a clear and concise manner to those not familiar with the items, strong presentation skills a plus. Proven ability to manage budgets, financials, and resource allocation. Proactive, innovative and collaborative mindset. Why Join Spire
At Spire, we’re building something that’s not only innovative, but meaningful. We’re creating a modern payments platform that delivers real value to both merchants and consumers—lowering costs, increasing loyalty and making everyday purchases more rewarding. Our team is small, nimble and driven by purpose. Everyone here has a seat at the table and the opportunity to shape the future of the company. We move fast, support each other and take pride in doing great work together. If you’re looking for a place where your ideas matter and your work has real impact, Spire is the place to be. Benefits & Perks
Health/Dental/Vision insurance 401(k) or retirement benefits Unlimited PTO Team events
#J-18808-Ljbffr