Viji Sunny Kurian

Operations & Projects Lead, Startup Organization

• Activity and Resource Planning: Strategically plan and allocate resources for efficient project execution.
• Strategic Guidance: Advise senior leadership on decision-making and implications, contributing to overall business strategy.
• Risk Analysis: Identify and manage project risks to ensure successful outcomes.
• Holistic Business Perspective: Provide insights into key business imperatives and decision-making processes.
• Partnership Development: Facilitate alliances with banks and other key stakeholders to support business objectives.
• Product Testing and Compliance: Assist in conducting product tests and ensuring compliance with operational requirements.
• Documentation Management: Oversee reporting and documentation to maintain project transparency and accountability.
• Customer Deliverables Management: Responsible for overseeing customer project deliverables, status reporting, and knowledge capture.
• Payment Scheme Engagement: Collaborate with payment schemes for certification and project implementation.

Overview: Successfully designed and implemented business and operational systems and processes for digital bank startup, led project from inception to launch.

Responsibilities:

• System Design & Implementation:
• Designed and implemented comprehensive business and operational systems for digital bank functionality.
• Established processes from inception to support bank operations and customer interactions.
• Created and implemented essential systems and processes to ensure seamless digital banking operations.
• End-to-End Project Integration:
• Managed end-to-end integration of various systems supported by different vendors.
• Ensured seamless project execution through coordination with key vendors:

BIN sponsor
MasterCard International
Processor
Card personalization vendor

• Coordinated the entire project to achieve integrated system functionality.
• Payment Services Implementation:
• Led project management for ICA certification with MasterCard.
• Ensured compliance and certification success during the ICA certification process.

Functional Development Requirements:

• Provided end-to-end requirements for managing daily activities of bank and card accounts.
• Covered functionalities from onboarding through complete customer lifecycle.

Team Formation & Management:

• Formed and led operations team handling vendor management, daily scheme settlement, card inventory management, reconciliation and banking operations.
• Recruited, led, coached, and evaluated team members for high performance.

Customer Support Team Formation:

• Established customer support team across multiple channels: call canters, IVR, live chat, and WhatsApp chat.
• Ensured team represented the bank effectively in customer interactions.

Overview:

Led transformation projects, focusing on operational readiness and seamless transition during the migration of banking systems, ensuring optimized processes and successful implementation.

• Led migration of 40+ issuing & acquiring banks' back office operations from Vision PLUS to Way4 system, ensuring seamless transition and operational continuity.
• Business Functional Expert overseeing card life cycle management, merchant life cycle management, issuing/acquiring settlement, reconciliation, GL account management, and fraud control for technology refresh initiative.
• Collaborated with client banks to identify requirements, evaluated discovery reports jointly with vendors, and updated general ledger accounting plans for card operations.
• Conducted comprehensive functional testing and validation covering scheme mapping, clearing/settlement data validation, interchange validation, GL accounting, and merchant profitability.
• Managed billing and invoices for third-party banks and prepared Payment Scheme reports (Visa/MasterCard/Diners).
• Identified and implemented process optimization opportunities, applying Six Sigma methodology to re-engineer functional areas and improve operational efficiency.
• Developed training manuals for end users and prepared readiness plans using established methodologies, ensuring smooth implementation of technology change programs.
• Established key internal operational relationships and facilitated seamless system and business process ownership transfer from project teams to business units in coordination with Project Managers and implementation partners.
  

• Managed issuing and acquiring interchange settlement for Visa, MasterCard, Diners, JCB, and UPI.
• Oversaw merchant life cycle management.
• Focused on operational improvements and cost optimization.
• Developed and implemented financial management goals, policies, and procedures.
• Coordinated preparation of financial statements and reports.
• Maintained accounting records and managed ledgers.
• Participated in cost analysis and rate studies.
• Developed system controls for new financial systems.
• Implemented Six Sigma and 5S methodologies for process improvement.
• Streamlined processes to enhance service quality.
• Interacted regularly with various departments to meet business and operational requirements
• Implementation of various projects such as Diners Central Submission, DCC, Multi currency Scheme settlement, Multi-currency Merchant settlement