Director, Card Operations

Description Title: Director, Card Operations Location: Remote (Las Vegas or California highly preferred) Reports To: VP, Strategy and Operations The Company: Sunbit builds financial technology for real life. Our AI-native platform helps more people get to “yes” at the moments that matter with personalized offers, transparent terms, and no added consumer fees. In stores, practices and service centers across the country, Sunbit provides a fast, fair pay-over-time option. For everything else, the Sunbit Credit Card delivers a modern, no-fee credit experience managed in a powerful mobile app. We are guided by people-centered values: Serve Others Before Self, Include Always, Connect Genuinely, Innovate for Good. These values shape how we build, how we support customers and merchants, and how we work with each other. What makes Sunbit different is an AI-native infrastructure that runs through the full customer and merchant journey. Our interconnected AI systems power instant decisioning, streamline fraud checks with human-in-the-loop safeguards, and enable highly personalized offers at scale. The result is a quick, fair, and simple experience for consumers and merchants. We pair this technology with inclusion and transparency. Sunbit delivers industry-leading approval rates — 90%+ in auto service and 85%+ in dental — while maintaining zero consumer fee-based revenue. It is a better way to serve people and merchants, proven at scale. Today, Sunbit is available across a nationwide, in-person merchant network of 30,000+ locations spanning auto service centers, dental and optical practices, veterinary clinics, and other specialty services. We help teams say “yes” more often and help customers move forward with confidence. The Role: Sunbit is seeking a highly experienced Director of Card Operations to lead and scale the operational infrastructure supporting our growing card business. This leader will serve as the company's subject matter expert on card processing, issuer operations, and Fiserv capabilities, while driving operational excellence across the cardholder lifecycle. The ideal candidate combines deep card operations expertise with strong program management and leadership skills. They have extensive experience working with card processors—particularly Fiserv/First Data—and understand how to translate business objectives into scalable operational solutions. This individual will partner closely with Product, Engineering, Risk, Fraud, Compliance, Finance, Customer Experience, and external partners to optimize performance, reduce operational friction, and accelerate execution across the card organization. This is a highly visible leadership role responsible for improving operational efficiency, managing key vendor relationships, and ensuring the card platform is positioned to support Sunbit's continued growth. What you'll own: Card Operations Strategy & Execution Serve as the operational leader for Sunbit's card platform, driving performance, scalability, and continuous improvement across card operations. Own the implementation, optimization, and governance of core card processing functionality, ensuring operational processes align with business objectives and customer experience goals. Drive continuous improvement across the card ecosystem by optimizing processes, automating workflows, reducing costs, and establishing scalable operational controls and performance standards. Fiserv & Processor Leadership Act as Sunbit's primary expert and executive point of contact for Fiserv and related card processing partners. Lead the evaluation, design, implementation, and optimization of capabilities across the Fiserv ecosystem, ensuring platform enhancements align with business objectives and operational needs. Influence and navigate Fiserv's organization to accelerate project delivery, resolve operational challenges, and maximize the value of existing platform capabilities. Strategic Programs & Product Enablement Lead operational workstreams for major card initiatives including: New product launches Co-brand and partner card programs Portfolio conversions and migrations Fraud and risk initiatives Collections enhancements Digital servicing capabilities Data and reporting initiatives Debit card and network expansion opportunities Vendor & Network Management Own strategic relationships with card processors, networks, fulfillment providers, and other operational partners, driving performance, accountability, escalation management, and continuous improvement. Establish and monitor vendor performance metrics, service-level agreements (SLAs), and operational KPIs. Partner with Visa, Mastercard, and other network stakeholders on operational initiatives, compliance requirements, and program enhancements. Team Leadership Lead and develop a high-performing Card Operations team responsible for day-to-day card servicing and operational support. Build and develop a high-performing team by establishing clear expectations, fostering accountability and collaboration, and creating opportunities for growth and continuous improvement. Financial & Operational Management Own the Card Operations budget and P&L, identifying opportunities to improve efficiency while maintaining strong service levels. Develop business cases for operational investments and strategic initiatives. Track, analyze, and report on operational performance metrics, costs, and vendor spend. Risk, Compliance & Controls Partner with Risk, Compliance, Legal, and Audit teams to ensure operational processes meet regulatory, network, and internal control requirements. Maintain a strong understanding of consumer lending, card servicing, dispute management, fraud operations, and card network regulations. Ensure operational readiness for audits, examinations, and regulatory reviews. Requirements What you’ll bring: 10+ years of experience in card operations, card processing, payments, fintech, banking, or consumer lending environments. Deep expertise working with Fiserv/First Data card processing platforms, particularly Optis and related operational systems. Demonstrated success leading large-scale card operations organizations, driving complex operational initiatives, and developing high-performing teams. Experience managing vendor relationships and driving performance across large external partners. Strong understanding of card issuing operations, transaction processing, disputes, fraud operations, servicing, collections, and card lifecycle management. Experience partnering effectively across Product, Engineering, Risk, Compliance, Finance, and Customer Experience teams. Exceptional problem-solving, communication, and stakeholder management skills. Technical & Functional Expertise Proven ability to navigate complex organizations, influence stakeholders, and drive execution across internal teams and external partners. Experience with key card processing systems, including but not limited to: Optis core (PCF, etc.), card issuance / fulfillment, APIs and data transmission, DecisionQuest, DMM, Fiserv fraud mitigation tools (ex. Defense Edge / Advance Defense), and general Fiserv User guides and operations documentation Strong communicator and business partner, thinking strategically about how to enable others to be a better partner directly with Fiserv in their respective spaces (ex. Data, fraud, card ops, Card digital experience) Experienced manager of a multi-faceted team Strong regulatory fluency and understanding of the compliance requirements in the space Preferred Qualifications Experience working both on the issuer side and within Fiserv or another major processor organization. Prior experience as a Client Service Advisor (CSA), implementation leader, consultant, or operations leader supporting issuer clients. Experience supporting credit cards, debit cards, or co-brand card programs. Direct experience working with Visa and Mastercard operational, compliance, and network management functions. Fintech experience within a high-growth, consumer-focused environment. Bachelor's degree required; advanced degree preferred. Why Choose Sunbit? Sunbit is recognized as one of the fastest-growing and most admired fintech companies, earning honors from Inc. 5000 (four consecutive years), Forbes Fintech 50, Deloitte Technology Fast 500, Financial Times, and FinTech Breakthrough for its innovation and impact. The company has also been featured among Newsweek’s Most Loved Workplaces and CB Insights’ Unicorn Companies, reflecting a valuation of $1.1B. People choose Sunbit for its people-first culture rooted in service, inclusion, and real-world impact. Powered by AI that helps people in life’s critical moments—offering high approvals, speed, and zero fees—Sunbit has achieved proven scale across tens of thousands of merchants and millions of transactions. Its fast, fair, and simple financial products empower consumers and partners alike through clarity and trust. The Perks: Mission driven, empowered, and collaborative culture Competitive pay and stock options Unlimited PTO [Include in exempt roles only] Comprehensive health benefits (Medical, Dental, Vision, Life, EAP, Parental Leave, HSA, & more) Newly added HSA and Pet Insurance 401(k) with company match Cell Phone Stipend Team-based strategic planning and ownership of deliverables Sunbit is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We strive to provide a professional & welcoming workplace for all employees. Recruitment Fraud Disclaimer We’ve been made aware of fraudsters impersonating Sunbit employees during the hiring process. Please note that all official communication will come from an @sunbit.com email address, through our applicant tracking platform @sunbit.comeet-notifications.com or directly via LinkedIn. We will never ask for your age, Social Security number, bank account details, payment of any kind, or other unrelated personal information during the application process. Our hiring process always includes interviews, either by phone, zoom, or in person, before any offer is made. If something feels suspicious, please contact us at hr@sunbit.com to confirm. We ask that you contact hr@sunbit.com only about potential instances of fraud. hr@sunbit.com does not reach our recruiting team directly. Your application directly through the posting is the best way to ensure that your candidacy is reviewed by our team. Due to the volume of applications, we will not respond to nor forward emails about your candidacy that are sent to hr@sunbit.com directly, and your email about your application will be deleted from our systems.