Funding Operations Manager in West Des Moines, Iowa at Watercress Financial Group LLC

The Funding Operations Manager is responsible for leading the end-to-end funding process to ensure accurate, timely, and compliant disbursement of funds. This position plays a critical role in operational excellence, managing a team of funding specialists, developing process improvements, and ensuring all funding activities align with company policies, contractual obligations, and regulatory requirements. The Funding Operations Manager acts as both a strategic leader and hands-on problem solver, working closely with cross-functional partners in finance, compliance, sales, technology, and customer support to ensure a seamless funding experience for clients and internal stakeholders.

RESPONSIBILITIES

Team Leadership & Development

• Directly manage and mentor the funding operations team, setting clear expectations, goals, and performance metrics.
• Conduct regular one-on-one meetings, team huddles, and performance reviews to ensure alignment with business objectives.
• Foster a collaborative, solutions-oriented team culture focused on accountability, efficiency, and continuous improvement.
• Provide training and development opportunities to build team expertise in funding processes, systems, and compliance requirements.

Operational Oversight

• Oversee daily funding workflow, ensuring funds are disbursed accurately, on schedule, and in accordance with established protocols.
• Monitor work queues and adjust staffing/resources to meet fluctuating volume and critical deadlines.
• Manage exception handling for complex or unusual funding scenarios, ensuring issues are resolved quickly and effectively.
• Ensure proper quality control and accuracy in funding documentation, approvals, and financial records.

Process Improvement & Compliance

• Evaluate current processes to identify inefficiencies, bottlenecks, and risk areas; develop and implement streamlined procedures.
• Maintain and update funding policies, standard operating procedures (SOPs), and training guides to reflect regulatory changes and best practices.
• Partner with compliance and legal teams to ensure all funding activities meet federal, state, and industry-specific requirements.
• Ensure audit readiness by maintaining complete, accurate, and easily accessible documentation for all transactions.

Cross-Functional Collaboration

• Act as the primary escalation point for internal and external stakeholders regarding funding-related issues.
• Collaborate with the finance team to ensure reconciliation of funded amounts and resolution of discrepancies.
• Partner with the technology team to implement system enhancements, automation initiatives, and data validation tools.
• Work closely with sales and account management teams to set clear expectations with clients regarding funding timelines and requirements.

Data Analysis & Reporting

• Monitor funding metrics and service level agreements (SLAs), producing regular performance reports for senior leadership.
• Analyze operational data to identify trends, risks, and opportunities for improvement.
• Provide recommendations to leadership on staffing needs, resource allocation, and system investments.

QUALIFICATIONS

• Bachelor’s degree in finance, business administration, operations management, or related field (equivalent work experience considered).
• Minimum 5 years of experience in funding, lending operations, financial services, or related operational role.
• Strong working knowledge of loan management systems, funding platforms, and financial transaction processing.
• Demonstrated success in managing process improvement initiatives and operational efficiency projects.

KNOWLEDGE AND SKILLS

• Strong leadership and people management skills, with the ability to inspire, coach, and hold team members accountable.
• Excellent organizational skills with the ability to manage multiple priorities under tight deadlines.
• Analytical mindset with the ability to use data to drive decision-making.
• Exceptional communication skills, both written and verbal, with the ability to influence across all levels of the organization.
• High level of integrity and attention to detail in all financial transactions.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite and familiarity with CRM and ERP platforms.