AVP, Rewards IT Lead Analyst

Role Summary/Purpose:

The AVP, Lead Analyst, Reward IT is responsible for end-to-end (wing-to-wing) execution and operational management of assigned Synchrony client loyalty programs. This role partners closely with Client Marketing, Product, Technology, Operations, CSS governance teams, Testing, and vendor partners to ensure loyalty program rules, promotions, statement messaging, and reward processing are implemented accurately, controlled appropriately, and operated with strong discipline.

This position requires a blend of loyalty domain expertise, systems and data fluency, and operational rigor to deliver excellent client and consumer outcomes in a fast-moving, highly regulated environment. The role also supports continuous improvement and modernization efforts, including standardization of program configurations, automation of controls, improved reporting, and stronger integration patterns across loyalty platforms.

Essential Responsibilities:

Loyalty Program Delivery & Operational Ownership

• Own day-to-day operational execution for assigned loyalty programs, including ongoing maintenance, monitoring, issue triage, and stakeholder communication.
• Translate client loyalty strategies and marketing requirements into executable program rules, parameters, and statement messaging aligned to Synchrony capabilities and control standards.
• Configure loyalty program operational rules/parameters in partnership with Client Systems Services (CSS) and/or vendor teams; ensure strong documentation and traceability of decisions.

Promotions, Testing, and Readiness

• Support setup and execution of promotions (e.g., bonus offers, limited-time campaigns); proactively monitor production performance and ensure program integrity.
• Coordinate and lead UAT planning and execution for loyalty programs and offers; partner with IT Testing to validate calculations, data outputs, and downstream impacts prior to go-live.
• Perform pre-production validation (including edge cases such as reversals, returns, cycle timing, account changes, retroactive adjustments) to mitigate go-live risk.

Governance, Controls, Risk, and Quality

• Provide the CSS Parameter Review Board with validation outcomes and supporting evidence to enable governance approvals and reinforce strong controls.
• Execute monitoring, audit, and reconciliation routines across key reward process control points to ensure accurate, high-quality “run” operations.
• Drive root-cause analysis and corrective actions to reduce defects, improve stability, and enhance operational efficiency; maintain strong issue documentation and follow-through.
• Ensure adherence to change control, release management, documentation standards, and audit readiness expectations.

Data, Reporting, and Insights

• Utilize enterprise data sources (e.g., Data Warehouse) and platform tools (e.g., Fiserv) to produce reporting for internal stakeholders and external clients.
• Provide timely analysis of program performance, operational trends, and anomalies; reconcile differences between data sources and recommend fixes.

Platform & Integration Partnership

• Maintain current knowledge of capabilities across Synchrony loyalty platforms (including Fiserv Premier Loyalty Platform (PLP) where applicable) and understand impacts of new features/releases.
• Support end-to-end integration awareness across platforms, including files, interfaces, and APIs that connect loyalty systems with internal platforms, client environments, and third-party loyalty providers; identify and resolve integration and data quality issues.
• Build strong relationships across cross-functional teams to share best practices and improve delivery effectiveness.
• Perform other duties and/or special projects as assigned.

Qualifications/Requirements:

• Bachelor’s degree with minimum 2 years of IT experience, or in lieu of degree, HS diploma/GED with minimum 4 years of IT experience.
• Minimum 3 years of experience in the credit card, payments, or financial services industry.
• Minimum 2 years of hands-on experience with Fiserv systems and/or loyalty platform configuration/support.
• Ability and flexibility to travel for business as required

Desired Characteristics:

• Deep knowledge of loyalty systems and operational execution supporting strong rewards programs; PLP experience a strong plus.
• Fiserv system experience including (as applicable): PCF, DMM, Rules, IDP, Content Navigator.
• Experience supporting credit card loyalty constructs (earn/burn, statement cycle timing, promotional constructs, retroactivity, reversals, exceptions).
• Strong understanding of operational controls, reconciliation practices, change management, and risk mitigation in a regulated environment.
• Strong cross-functional partnership skills (marketing, product, IT, QA/testing, operations, vendors); able to manage multiple priorities with discipline.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills with demonstrated ability to investigate data anomalies and drive root-cause resolution.
• Strong written/verbal communication skills and comfort presenting status, risks, and findings to varied audiences.
• Self-starter, results-driven, and accountable; demonstrates a strong ownership mindset.

Tools/Skills (Preferred):

• Data & Reporting: SQL (basic to intermediate), data validation/reconciliation, experience with enterprise data warehouse environments; advanced Excel (pivot tables, lookups, data analysis).
• Delivery & Documentation: Jira and Confluence (or similar), creating test plans/UAT scripts, requirements and process documentation, change request documentation.
• Operational Rigor: incident/defect tracking, root-cause analysis, control evidence creation/retention, ability to work within release/change management processes.
• Systems Exposure (as applicable): loyalty platforms and/or Fiserv tools (PCF, DMM, Rules, IDP, AFP), batch/file processing concepts, API/integration awareness.

Grade/Level: 10

The salary range for this position is 100,000.00 - 170,000.00 USD Annual and is eligible for an annual bonus based on individual and company performance.

Actual compensation offered within the posted salary range will be based upon work experience, skill level or knowledge.

Salaries are adjusted according to market in CA, NY Metro and Seattle.

Our Way of Working:

We’re proud to offer you flexibility. At Synchrony, our way of working allows you to have the option to work from home near one of our Hubs or come into one of our offices. You will be required to commute to your nearest Hub (either virtual or physical) for in-person engagement activities such as regular business or team meetings, training and culture events. 

*Field Sales and some Commercial team roles may have varied location requirements based upon partner obligations or preferences.

Eligibility Requirements:

• You must be 18 years or older
• You must have a high school diploma or equivalent
• You must be willing to take a drug test, submit to a background investigation and submit fingerprints as part of the onboarding process
• You must be able to satisfy the requirements of Section 19 of the Federal Deposit Insurance Act.
• New hires (Level 4-7) must have 9 months of continuous service with the company before they are eligible to post on other roles.  Once this new hire time in position requirement is met, the associate will have a minimum 6 months’ time in position before they can post for future non-exempt roles.  Employees, level 8 or greater, must have at least 18 months’ time in position before they can post.  All internal employees must consistently meet performance expectations and have approval from your manager to post (or the approval of your manager and HR if you don’t meet the time in position or performance expectations).

Legal authorization to work in the U.S. is required.  We will not sponsor individuals for employment visas, now or in the future, for this job opening. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, or veteran status. 

Our Commitment:

When you join us, you’ll be part of an inclusive culture where your individual skills, experience, and voice are not only heard – but valued. Together, we’re building a future where we can all belong, connect, and turn ideals into action. More than 50% of our workforce is engaged in our Employee Resource Groups (ERGs), where community and passion intersect to offer a safe space to learn and grow.

This starts when you choose to apply for a role at Synchrony. We ensure all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to age, race, color, religion, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, or veteran status. We’re proud to have an award-winning culture for all. 

Reasonable Accommodation Notice:

• Federal law requires employers to provide reasonable accommodation to qualified individuals with disabilities. Please tell us if you require a reasonable accommodation to apply for a job or to perform your job. Examples of reasonable accommodation include making a change to the application process or work procedures, providing documents in an alternate format, using a sign language interpreter, or using specialized equipment.
• If you need special accommodations, please call our Career Support Line so that we can discuss your specific situation. We can be reached at 1-866-301-5627.   Representatives are available from 8am – 5pm Monday to Friday, Central Standard Time

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