VP Central Operations Manager

Established in 1977, Monterey County Bank (MCB) is the longest-standing independent bank headquartered in Monterey County, California. From the beginning, MCB has been dedicated to supporting the regional economy through tailored small business and commercial banking services.

Over the years, the Bank has grown steadily, maintaining a strong presence in Monterey, Carmel, Pacific Grove, Salinas, and greater Monterey County. In late 2024, MCB launched a comprehensive modernization initiative—introducing new leadership and investing in advanced technology to enhance customer service and expand its capabilities. This transformation marks a new chapter in the Bank’s history, building on decades of experience while embracing innovation to better serve the community.

Job Summary:

Monterey County Bank is seeking a dynamic Central Operations Manager to lead, shape, and elevate the strategy, performance, and operational excellence of our Central Operations team. This role is instrumental in driving efficiencies, strengthening the customer experience, and ensuring strong compliance across all operational processes.

As a key leader within the Bank, the Central Operations Manager will guide and develop a high-performing team, champion continuous improvement, and utilize data-driven insights and industry best practices to optimize workflows and support organizational goals. This role focuses not only on enhancing operational effectiveness but also on cultivating a superior customer experience that contributes to MCB’s long-term growth and success.

If you are a forward-thinking leader with a passion for operational innovation, team development, and delivering exceptional customer experiences, we invite you to join the MCB team and contribute to our exciting transformation.

Key Responsibilities:

As the Central Operations Manager, you will oversee critical operational functions that drive efficiency, regulatory compliance, and exceptional service across Monterey County Bank. In this role, you will lead and develop the Central Operations Department while ensuring superior service delivery and timely, accurate transaction processing. You will manage centralized technical workflows, including exception item processing such as NSF/overdrafts, non-post items, levies and legal orders, excessive overdraft reviews, item processing, stop payment verification, and returned deposit adjustments. You will also direct legal and regulatory compliance activities related to deposit operations, including consumer overdraft monitoring, IOLTA reporting, and the full escheatment process. This role provides essential support in identifying and responding to account fraud involving checks, ACH, and EFT transactions, and is responsible for overseeing ACH operations, including exception processing, PIM transfers, and maintaining compliance with NACHA rules.

Additionally, you will review and monitor daily transaction and deposit reports and help prepare required operational reporting for management and regulatory bodies. You will oversee the Bank’s general ledger certification program to ensure timely, accurate certifications and manage all IRA reporting processes in coordination with the Bank’s IRA custodian. Responsibilities also include supervising backup withholding processes, including monitoring, corrections, and year-end tax reporting. You will evaluate operating procedures to ensure effectiveness, strong internal controls, and adherence to audit standards and regulatory requirements, while identifying deficiencies, reducing operational risk, and implementing corrective actions. The role further involves recommending and executing process improvements, developing and maintaining departmental and branch procedures, and providing technical expertise for complex transactions, error resolution, and customer dispute investigation. The Central Operations Manager also participates in and coordinates special projects aimed at mitigating operational risk and supporting employee development, while leading initiatives that enhance technology, improve customer experience, streamline workflows, and centralize routine operational functions.

Qualifications:

• 10 plus years of experience in bank operations, deposits operations, or centralized operations; prior supervisory or management experience required
• Strong understanding of banking regulations, including Reg CC, Reg E, NACHA rules, BSA/AML considerations, and state escheatment requirements.
• Hands-on experience with exception item processing, operations, legal orders, overdraft management, and IRA reporting.
• Proven ability to evaluate and improve operating procedures, strengthen internal controls and ensure regulatory compliance.
• Experience reviewing and preparing operations reports, transaction monitoring and performing general ledger certifications.
• Exceptional attention to detail and accuracy in a fast- paced environment.
• Strong analytical and problem solving skills, with the ability to interpret complex regulations and apply them to daily operations.
• Proficiency with banking systems, transaction processing platforms and Microsoft Office applications.

THIS IS AN IN OFFICE POSITION LOCATED IN MONTEREY, CA

10-15 years of experience with increasing responsibility working for a regulatory agency examining banks, in a bank within the audit, compliance or legal departments, as a management consultant in the field of banking compliance or other equivalent non-banking position providing advice and/or guidance on banking regulations. Experience at commercial banking institution highly preferred.

As required by state-specific laws, we must include the salary range for this role when hiring residents in applicable locations. The annual salary range for this position is $100,250.00 to $130,000.00 Compensation within this range may vary based on factors such as geographic location, candidate experience, and skills.

MCB is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, national origin, ancestry, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, genetics, disability, marital status, age, veteran status, domestic partner status, medical condition or any other characteristic protected by law.