VP Central Operations Manager

Description

If you’re looking for an exciting career opportunity, you’re in the right place.

West Coast Community Bank is a top-rated community bank with a focus on serving the banking needs of businesses and individuals along the Central Coast, in Silicon Valley and throughout the Bay Area. We operate full-service branches in Aptos, Capitola, Cupertino, King City, Monterey, Salinas, San Luis Obispo, Santa Cruz, Scotts Valley and Watsonville.

Delivery of relationship-based service with a solutions-driven focus sets us apart from the competition. We offer direct access to decision-makers combined with modern banking technologies and digital tools. The Bank is a leading SBA lender in Santa Cruz County and Silicon Valley and a top USDA lender in the state of California.

Since opening in 2004, we have proudly upheld our commitment to support regional well-being by actively participating in and donating to local nonprofit organizations. We engage in impactful volunteerism and support the greater economic vitality within our four-county reach, contributing more than 2,000 hours of volunteering annually.

Our success is driven by our exceptional team — experienced, knowledgeable and focused on delivering results!

National, regional and local honors we’ve received include:

• Newsweek – America’s Best Regional Banks and Credit Unions 2025
• American Banker Magazine – Top 100 Best Performing Community Banks in the U.S., 10 years
• Good Times – Readers’ Poll, Best Bank in Santa Cruz County, 13 years
• Santa Cruz Sentinel – Readers’ Choice, Best Bank in Santa Cruz County, 10 years
• Farm Bureau of Santa Cruz County and Agri-Culture – Al Smith Friend of Agriculture Award
• Second Harvest Food Bank – Big Step and Platinum Awards for Holiday Food and Fund Drive
• Santa Cruz Area Chamber of Commerce – Business of the Year 2025, 2021 and 2018
• The Pajaronian – Best of the Pajaro Valley 2024 Readers’ Poll, Best Bank
• The Press Banner – The Best of Scotts Valley 2024 Readers’ Poll, Best Local Bank

Position Overview

The VP Central Operations Manager leads the Bank’s Central Operations Department; including deposit operations, ancillary products and services, and backroom operations. Ensure adherence to regulatory requirements and internal policies to mitigate risks. This role requires essential management skills including planning, delegation, and problem-solving.

This position is on-site at our Salinas Admin location.

Essential Job Functions 

• Oversee daily operations and ensure that all departmental tasks are executed in an efficient manner with excellent client service always being the priority
• Lead, mentor and evaluate staff performance, ensuring they meet service levels and deadlines.
• Develop and cross train staff to ensure consistent excellent client service
• Knowledgeable in every aspect of Central Operations 
• Ensure adherence to bank policies, federal regulations and legal requirements, implement control processes and mitigate operational risks
• Attend committee meetings as needed
• Set team and individual goals and follow for timely completion
• Direct staff training to improve efficiency and ensure conformance with standard procedures and practices. Implement product and compliance training and follow for completion
• Research and clear FRB adjustments and reconciliation items
• Maintain appropriate cash control for WCCB vault at Brinks, Inc., ensuring safe cash conduct is always followed and limits are adhered to
• Responsible for processing Regulation E claims
• Responsible for Certifications for the Operations Department
• Work in coordination with various department leaders to create and update policies and procedures when necessary
• Complete job descriptions, performance evaluations and goals for each subordinate. Deliver appropriate disciplinary action as required
• Ensure wire procedures are adhered to bank wide
• Attend outside training classes to enhance job functions and performance
• Responsible for service quality standards, audit controls and loss prevention
• Other duties and projects as assigned by Director of Operations or Chief Operations Office

This position will oversee and is expected to develop procedural knowledge of the following areas:

• Incoming client service calls
• Personal Online Banking & Bill Pay
• Cash Management/Business Online Banking
• NON-Post Transactions Process
• Overdrafts Process
• Levies, Attachments, Subpoenas and other legal service
• ACH Processing & Return Items
• Balance ATMs to General Ledger
• Reg. E Claims Process
• FED Statement Balancing & Research
• Wire Processing
• FED Return Processing
• Foreign Currency
• Currency Collection
• Currency Conversions
• Wells Fargo and other vendor Cash Vault Activities & Balancing
• ATM Cash Ordering
• Client Cash Shipment Request
• TT&L Processing
• Process RDI’s
• Collections
• Stop Payment Monitoring
• Large Signature Review
• Cashier’s Check Escheatment Review
• Compromised ATM Cards 
• Visa & MC Application Processing
• Compromised ATM Cards
• NSF Return Items
• Dormant Accounts and Unclaimed Property 
• Take ownership of advanced or escalated client inquiries or issues.  Investigate and resolve complex operational issues, including disputes and process failures. 
• Actively participate on project teams for new and updated products, services, and systems.  Work closely and collaboratively with project team, fostering positive working relationships. 
• Maintain a high level of knowledge of all E-Banking products, services, and systems, not limited to OLB, remote deposit, debit and credit card.
• Keep up to date on banking industry regulatory changes. Follows all Bank policies and procedures, ensures products adhere to compliance regulations, and completes all required annual or job specific training. 
• Actively learn, demonstrate, and foster bank culture, mission and values in all actions. Take personal initiative and is a positive example for others to emulate. 

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in business administration
• At least 10 years in banking operations 
• At least 5 years in management
• Experience with bank risk management and compliance

Requisite Skills:

• Excellent Organizational Skills
• Excellent Communication Skills
• Ability to manage multiple tasks and priorities
• Strong interpersonal and teamwork skills
• Ability to analyze data and identify areas for improvement
• Strong leadership abilities including coaching and motivating employees
• Strong Business Writing Skills
• Knowledge of computer programs, including core banking system, Microsoft suite , OASIS, Fedline Advantage, eBanking products and services, etc.
• Expert knowledge of all bank products
• Thorough knowledge of Regulation E, Regulation CC, Regulation D and regulatory compliance issues
• NACHA Certification

Benefits:

• Medical, dental, and vision plans
• Vacation, sick leave, paid Holidays
• Paid volunteer time
• Employer paid life insurance
• 401(k) with employer matching
• Ongoing training, professional development and career advancement opportunities

Supervisory Responsibility 

• Central Operations staff

Physical Demands:

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by a teammate to successfully 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 may be regularly required to stand, sit, talk, hear, reach, stoop, kneel, and use hands and fingers to operate typical office equipment such as a computer, telephone, mouse and keyboard.
• Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision requirements due to computer work.
• Light to moderate lifting may be required.
• Regular, predictable attendance is required; including the occasional evening and weekend work as business demands dictate.
• Travel between company locations as needed.

Work Environment

The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those a teammate encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

• Moderate noise (i.e., business office with computers, phone, and printers, moderate traffic).
• Ability to work in a confined area.
• Ability to sit or stand at a computer terminal for an extended period.