Director - Strategic Programs CEMEA

The Strategic Programs team is a part of the Go-to-market Services (GTMS) team within Client Services function. The team leads the delivery of critical strategic initiatives and complex transformational programs. This team is at the forefront of achieving the functions key priorities, by partnering closely with cross functional teams, extensive engagement with global stakeholders, executing robust go-to-market roll out plans, and establishing best in class program management assets.

The Director of Strategic Programs oversees the Program and Performance team, ensuring strategic programs align with milestones and business objectives through effective matrix management.

Responsibilities include establishing program governance, defining workstream pillars, providing operational oversight, creating program plans, managing risks, and communicating progress for timely decisions.

The Director leads a lean, high-performing team, offering direction and leveraging knowledge of Visa’s products and services. The Director has a direct report to the Vice President, CEMEA Go-to-market Services located in Dubai. 

• Spearheads strategic planning, operational oversight, and program management, working with cross-functional teams for effective execution
• Holds accountability for a diverse portfolio of initiatives, aimed at accelerating Visa’s business growth and creates corrective action where required
• Leads the planning and management of programs, ensuring strategic goals are translated into actionable roadmaps with project plans and required prioritization
• Represents individual projects in various program governance forums, leads the Steer Cos, and publishes timely program status reports
• Works across functions, regions and global to provide performance management thought leadership and guidance, and enables timely decision making
• Constantly scans for new optimization areas/opportunities across various initiatives and adapting existing programs to account for these changes
• Program leadership skills and experience to connect the multiple workstreams to ensure a positive and can-do approach from the extended Visa team
• Responsible for managing risks across programs, leaning on owners to ensure necessary mitigation is in place
• Acts as a valued partner to the extended program team, able to find effective and timely resolutions to challenges, engaging executive leadership appropriately
• Builds excellent relationships with stakeholders in Client Services, Product, Sales and Global to facilitate effective execution of business outcomes
• As the primary point of contact for strategic initiatives, addresses challenges by proactively resolving roadblocks that could interfere with the successful execution of business priorities
• Leads engagements and meetings with GTMS leadership team and Product leadership team. Involving planning, scheduling, developing agendas, managing logistics, and tracking follow-up actions to ensure effective communication and decision-making

This is a hybrid position. Expectation of days in office will be confirmed by your Hiring Manager.

Basic Qualification

• Bachelor’s Degree with extensive experience providing business analysis, strategic planning and/or program/project management in software, financial or information services

Preferred Qualification

• A minimum of 10+ years of success in a technology, financial or information services business or with at least 8 years of experience in the payments industry.
• International experience and exposure to matrixed organizations
• Ideally good working knowledge and preferably, experience of payment
• products and ability to apply that knowledge to address client/market/business needs
• Able to set priorities, influence others, and advise on B2B and B2C client expectations
• Focused on delivery of results through effective planning and solid organizational skills including attention to detail and multi-tasking skills.
• Excellent collaboration skills, able to influence without authority and work effectively in a matrix organization
• Strong analytical and business skills, with the ability to think strategically, problem solve and manage details 
• Well-developed interpersonal skills, strong verbal and written communication skills with ability to clearly communicate compelling messages to key stakeholders
• High level of self-motivation and initiative with ability to learn quickly and deal with complexity and ambiguity.
• Experience in leading complex program teams with global reach
• Able to demonstrate exceptionally strong collaboration skills to operate effectively in a matrixed organization and using influencing skills to achieve desired outcomes
• Self-starter with a demonstrated ability to achieve results through leading an effective lean team, and ability to effectively prioritize and multi-task under deadlines
• Strong interpersonal skills and proven abilities in negotiating with and influencing stakeholders at all levels
• Excellent time management, organization, and project planning skills.

Visa is an EEO Employer. Qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, sexual orientation, gender identity, disability or protected veteran status. Visa will also consider for employment qualified applicants with criminal histories in a manner consistent with EEOC guidelines and applicable local law.