Program Manager, Merchant Conversions

Company Description
Blend is a premier AI services provider, committed to co-creating meaningful impact for its clients through the power of data science, AI, technology, and people. With a mission to fuel bold visions, Blend tackles significant challenges by seamlessly aligning human expertise with artificial intelligence. The company is dedicated to unlocking value and fostering innovation for its clients by harnessing world-class people and data-driven strategy. We believe that the power of people and AI can have a meaningful impact on your world, creating more fulfilling work and projects for our people and clients.

Job Description
Our Fortune 100 financial services client is seeking an experienced Merchant Conversion Program Manager to lead a large-scale merchant portfolio conversion from a source platform to a target processing environment. The successful candidate will bring deep experience in merchant acquiring, payment processing, and program delivery, ensuring that conversion activities are executed with precision, transparency, and collaboration across all stakeholder groups.

This position requires a leader who can balance strategic oversight with hands-on project execution, effectively coordinating multiple workstreams across technical, operational, and business functions.

The Details

• Location: Downtown Toronto, ON, CA or surrounding area
• Duration: Approximately a 16-month consulting role through Blend (must be able to work on Blend's W2)
• Benefits: We do offer benefits to our full-time consultants, including Health, Vision, Dental, 401K plan, Life Insurance, Employee Assistance Programs, and an incredibly supportive team cheering you on

What You'll Do

• Manage end-to-end conversion program phases, including Discovery, Planning, Build, Testing, and Implementation/Cutover.
• Review and own the provided 18-month project schedule, defining the critical path, key milestones, and interdependencies.
• Establish program governance, executive committee reporting, and structured meeting cadences to ensure alignment and transparency.
• Oversee all merchant communications and coordination across internal teams, third parties, networks, and gateways.
• Coordinate and manage multiple workstreams, including:
• Merchant portfolio discovery and requirements documentation.
• Network connectivity and inbound/outbound file documentation.
• Data conversion mapping between source and target Masterfile and POS databases.
• Mock conversion testing and pre-implementation readiness assessments.
• Command center management during conversion weekend.
• Post-conversion support through the completion of the 16-month engagement.
• Lead and support workstreams related to large merchant certification activities and independent conversions.
• Oversee development efforts related to data mapping, file processing, and any custom code or configuration supporting the migration.
• Partner with operational teams, including customer service, relationship management, disputes, underwriting, and reconciliation, to ensure business continuity throughout the conversion.

Qualifications

• Minimum 10+ years of experience in merchant processing, acquiring, or payments operations.
• Proven success managing large-scale portfolio conversions across business, technical, and operational dimensions.
• Strong understanding of acquirer processing systems, MIDs hierarchy, settlement funding flows, and merchant operations.
• Deep familiarity with key operational areas, including chargebacks, disputes, onboarding, data mapping, and reconciliation.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office tools and strong documentation skills.
• Card brand experience required.
• PMP certification preferred but not required.

Soft Skills

• Exceptional leadership and stakeholder management skills, with the ability to influence and align cross-functional teams.
• Strong communication and executive reporting capabilities.
• Detail-oriented, structured thinker who excels in organizing complex programs.
• Strategic and analytical mindset with the ability to anticipate and mitigate risks.
• Adaptable, proactive, and capable of operating in a fast-paced, global environment.

Additional Information
The starting pay range for this role is $65-70 per hour. Actual compensation within the range will be dependent on several factors including but not limited to relevant experience, skills, certifications, training, and location. It is not typical for an individual to be hired at or near the top of the range and determining factors for compensation are considered for each individual circumstance. BLEND360 also offers a competitive benefits program to meet the health and financial well-being of our team and their families. You can look forward to a range of benefits including medical, dental, vision, 401K, PTO, commuter benefits, spending accounts, life insurance, disability coverage, and EAPs.
A diverse workforce is a strong workforce
To deliver growth at BLEND360 and for our clients, we believe as a Talent Solutions Company, we have a responsibility and unique opportunity to positively impact the workforce. Diversity has played a critical role in our history, our growth, and continues to have a profound impact on our success. We are determined to have equality in the workplace, within our team and as an extension of our clients' team.

BLEND360 is an equal opportunity employer.