Director, Payments Product-3 month term-(Hybrid)

Central 1 cooperatively empowers credit unions and other financial institutions to deliver banking choice to Canadians. Central 1 provides critical services at scale to enable a thriving credit union system. We do this by collaborating with our clients, developing strategies, products and services to support the financial well-being of their more than 5 million diverse customers in communities across Canada. For more information, visit www.central1.com . What we offer: Work-life flexibility  Hybrid work environment  Variable annual incentive plan Generous annual vacation allotment Top-notch flexible benefits plan including family building and gender affirmation Retirement Plan, matched contributions at 6% Access to a learning platform and educational assistance support Access to a virtual wellness platform Career development opportunities Wellness Flex Fund to support personal interest and activities Day off to volunteer in your community and other paid time off options Corporate discounts *subject to employment agreement Job Summary: The Director, Payments is a strategic leadership role within the Payments Product team, focused on shaping the future of payments across the Canadian credit union ecosystem. In this 3-month contract opportunity, you will lead high-profile modernization initiatives, influence industry-wide change, and help drive the evolution of Central 1's payments strategy and roadmap.   This role is responsible for advancing key payments transformation programs, including Real-Time Rail (RTR), while partnering with senior leaders, clients, and industry stakeholders to navigate emerging opportunities, regulatory changes, and market trends. You will play a critical role in prioritizing strategic initiatives, strengthening client relationships, and ensuring credit unions are prepared for industry mandates such as RTR and FSRB.   Working across Product, Client Engagement, Marketing & Communications, Technology & Operations, Delivery, Fraud, and Compliance, you will bring teams together to drive alignment, support change readiness, and deliver meaningful outcomes for clients and the broader payments ecosystem. Reporting to the Acting Head of Payments, this role offers a unique opportunity to make a significant impact during a pivotal period of industry transformation.   What you'll be doing: Lead critical workstreams to support delivery of multi-year regulatory and industry mandated programs including Real Time Rails and Future State of Retail Batch ensuring alignment across external and internal stakeholder change management, industry communications in partnership with MarComm, Account Engagement   Partner with Payments Product leadership to shape the medium‑ and long-term product vision, integrating client insights, market trends, regulatory requirements, and commercial   Own end‑to‑end strategy and execution of the Strategic Advisory Council, elevating it as a premier forum for industry…