Financial Operations Program Manager

ABOUT US

Coastal is at the forefront of modern banking, combining strong financial infrastructure with cutting-edge Banking-as-a-Service (BaaS) and fintech enablement strategies. We support not only individuals with their personal banking needs; we also empower businesses by integrating modern banking technology that drives growth, flexibility, and innovation.

At Coastal, we think and move like entrepreneurs; focused on impact, speed, and continuous improvement. We believe in working smart, collaborating deeply, and building solutions that unlock real potential. If you're someone who thrives in a fast-moving environment, loves solving complex problems, and wants to help shape the future of banking, we’d love to meet you.

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OVERVIEW

The Financial Operations Program Manager is responsible for supporting and scaling the operational, reconciliation, and financial control framework that enables Coastal's Banking-as-a-Service (BaaS) ecosystem to grow. This role ensures new products and fintech partnerships launch with the data, operational processes, and controls necessary to achieve accurate, deterministic, transaction-level reconciliation while minimizing manual intervention.

Working across Financial Operations, Product, Engineering, Finance, Risk, Compliance, and external fintech partners, this role supports the design and continuous improvement of financial operations processes, reconciliation frameworks, automation, and operational controls. The Program Manager serves as a strategic partner throughout the product lifecycle, helping ensure operational readiness before launch, driving root cause resolution of reconciliation issues, and building scalable solutions that allow Financial Operations to focus on meaningful exceptions rather than routine transaction matching.

The ideal candidate combines expertise in banking operations, payment processing, data analysis, and financial controls with a passion for solving complex operational challenges through automation, technology, and cross-functional collaboration. This individual is equally comfortable analyzing large transactional datasets, partnering with engineers to improve system design, and working directly with fintech partners to improve data quality, operational processes, and reconciliation outcomes.

*** Must be available to work standard Pacific Time business hours (8 AM – 5 PM PT) regardless of location. ***

RESPONSIBILITIES TO INCLUDE

Financial Operations & Operational Excellence

• Design and optimize partner funds flows and operational controls that support new products, strategic initiatives, and the Bank's Banking-as-a-Service ecosystem.

• Design reconciliation processes that minimize manual intervention and eliminate unreconciled transactions through automation and data integrity.

• Lead the investigation and resolution of complex financial and operational issues across the Bank's BaaS partner portfolio.

• Analyze financial operations, reconciliations, and partner activity to identify root causes, operational risks, and opportunities for improvement.

• Partner with Product and Engineering to design automation, reporting, and scalable operational solutions.

• Perform operational analyses, and control validations during partner implementations, escalations, audits, and other critical business events.

Technical Solutions & Analytics

• Analyze operational and financial data using advanced Excel, SQL, and business intelligence tools.

• Design reporting, automation, and technology-enabled solutions that improve scalability, operational efficiency, and data quality.

• Leverage AI and emerging technologies to accelerate analysis, documentation, reporting, and decision-making.

• Translate business requirements into scalable technical solutions by partnering closely with Product and Engineering.

Strategic Program Delivery

• Lead cross-functional initiatives across Financial Operations, Product, Engineering, Finance, Risk, Compliance, and external fintech partners.

• Partner with Product and Engineering to ensure operational, accounting, reconciliation and reporting readiness before new partner launches.

• Drive root cause resolution with external partners, ensuring reconciliation breaks, data quality issues, and operational deficiencies are identified, communicated and resolved promptly.

• Simplify complex operational challenges by designing scalable, repeatable business processes.

• Develop business requirements, SOPs, process documentation, and implementation plans.

QUALIFICATIONS

• Five (5) or more years of experience in banking, fintech, payments, treasury, consulting, financial operations, or Banking-as-a-Service (BaaS).

• Strong understanding of banking operations, payment systems and funds flows, including ACH, FedNow, Fedwire, RTP, card networks, settlement, returns and disputes.

• Experience designing, implementing, and continuously improving reconciliation processes, financial control frameworks, and operational procedures.

• Experience supporting SOX controls, internal controls, audits, or regulatory examinations within a regulated financial services environment.

• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills with the ability to translate complex operational challenges into scalable business solutions.

• Experience analyzing large transactional datasets using SQL and modern data platforms (preferably Databricks) with a strong understanding of data pipelines and ELT workflows..

• Experience designing automation, reporting solutions, and technology-enabled process improvements.

• Experience leveraging AI tools to improve analysis, documentation, reporting, and operational efficiency.

• Experience with Python, APIs, workflow automation, or low-code/no-code platforms is preferred.

• Advanced Microsoft Excel skills, including Pivot Tables, Power Query, complex formulas, and large dataset analysis.

• Demonstrated ability to lead cross-functional initiatives and collaborate effectively with Product, Engineering, Finance, Risk, Compliance, and Operations teams.

• Excellent written, verbal, organizational, and project management skills with the ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced environment.

EDUCATION

• Bachelor's degree in Business, Finance, Accounting, Information Systems, Computer Science, Data Analytics, Engineering, or equivalent experience.

HOW YOU’LL THRIVE AT COASTAL

• Be the Best – Communicate effectively, pay close attention to detail, and prioritize your personal development.

• Be Relentless – Thrive in a goal-oriented environment exercising both patience and persistence. Advocate for our customers and team members and strive to promote the Coastal Difference.

• Be Un-Bankey – Be a forward thinker with a creative mindset. Build long-lasting relationships promoting the Coastal Difference, built on a foundation of integrity, honesty, and trust.

• Embrace Gray Thinking – Use sound judgment while decision-making and problem-solving. Think outside the box.

• Stay Flexible – Organize and strategize effectively while always being prepared to adapt on the fly. Seek efficiencies for Coastal to work smarter, not harder.

• Take Care of Each Other – Understand what it means to be a true team player and have your teammate's back. Practice self-awareness and build your emotional intelligence.

BEING YOU AT COASTAL

Coastal is an equal opportunity employer. We are committed to providing a workplace free from discrimination and harassment. All employment decisions are based on merit, qualifications, and business needs. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, veteran status, or any other protected status under applicable laws.

BENEFITS WE OFFER

We’re proud to offer a comprehensive benefits package designed to support your health, financial well-being, and work-life balance. Our offerings include:

• Medical Coverage: Choose from three competitive medical plans to find the coverage that best fits your needs and lifestyle.

• Health Savings Account (HSA): Available with eligible medical plans, offering tax advantages and employer contributions.

• Flexible Spending Accounts (FSA): Options for healthcare and dependent care expenses to help you save on out-of-pocket costs.

• Dental and Vision Insurance: Plans to keep you and your family smiling and seeing clearly.

• Life Insurance: Company-paid basic life insurance with options to purchase additional coverage for yourself and your dependents.

• Long-Term /Short-Term Disability (LTD): Income protection in the event of a long-term illness or injury.

• Supplemental Benefits: Including Hospital Indemnity, Accident Insurance, and Critical Illness coverage to provide extra financial support when you need it most.

• 401(k) Retirement Plan: A competitive retirement savings plan with company matching to help you plan for the future.

• Paid Time Off: Generous vacation and sick leave policies to support your time away from work.

• Holidays: Enjoy 11 paid holidays throughout the year.

Check out our benefits on our careers site!!

PHYSICAL DEMANDS

The physical demands described below are required to perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

While performing the duties of this job, the employee must be able to:

• Sit for extended periods of time.

• Stand for extended periods of time.

• Perform repetitive finger, hand, and arm movement.

• Use electronic office equipment such as a computer keyboard, mouse, ten key, telephone, etc.

• View and read computer screens for extended periods.

• Occasionally stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl.

• Occasionally lift or move up to 10 pounds.

OTHER DUTIES

Please note this job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties, or responsibilities that are required of the employee for this job. Duties, responsibilities and activities may change at any time with or without notice.