Sr Manager, Portfolio Management - job 9 of 20

The Senior Manager, Portfolio Management at Visa is responsible for driving the Finance Systems Strategy within the organization. This includes developing and managing the end-state architecture for Finance technology, executing major roadmap initiatives, and collaborating with various stakeholders across Finance, IT, and the business. The role requires facilitating alignment sessions, creating business cases, and employing Agile methodologies to optimize the portfolio for the Finance function.

The ideal candidate for the Senior Manager, Portfolio Management role at Visa should have extensive experience in managing complex global transformations, a background in Finance technology, and a solid understanding of Agile frameworks. Candidates should demonstrate strong strategic thinking, excellent communication skills, and the ability to influence decision-making within a matrixed environment. Previous experience in project management and familiarity with the finance industry best practices will be essential.

The Senior Manager, Portfolio Management at Visa collaborates closely with technology partners to execute roadmap initiatives effectively. This involves engaging with these partners during the development of business cases, optimizing the portfolio, supporting quarterly business reviews, and providing clear communication to ensure that technology solutions meet the Finance team's evolving needs. A collaborative approach is key to successfully driving modernization within the Finance Systems Strategy.

The work environment for the Senior Manager, Portfolio Management at Visa is hybrid, allowing for a blend of in-office and remote work. This flexibility encourages collaboration with various teams while also providing autonomy. The position requires a proactive approach to engage stakeholders effectively, keep the roadmap on track, and foster a culture of innovation within the Finance Systems Strategy team.

To succeed as a Senior Manager, Portfolio Management at Visa, strong analytical skills are crucial for assessing current states and identifying improvement opportunities. Additional important skills include strategic and forward-thinking abilities, effective communication skills for facilitating discussions and presentations, and a deep understanding of Agile methodologies. Candidates should also possess leadership qualities to influence stakeholders and drive the organization's Finance technology agenda forward.

When discussing your experience managing finance technology transformations, focus on specific projects where you led the change. Highlight your role in defining the vision, collaborating with stakeholders, and the methodologies you employed, such as Agile. Use cases to illustrate how you navigated challenges, drove adoption, and ensured measurable outcomes will strengthen your response.

To outline how to develop a technology roadmap for finance systems, explain your systematic approach. Talk about how you assess current processes, gather input from stakeholders, and leverage industry best practices. Emphasize the importance of aligning the roadmap with strategic business goals and maintaining flexibility to adapt to changing needs.

When asked about strategies to influence stakeholders without direct authority, convey your understanding of leveraging expertise, data, and effective communication. Discuss techniques such as building relationships based on trust, presenting data-driven insights, and articulating how your vision supports their objectives to gain buy-in.

While answering this question, recount a specific initiative where you had to work within tight deadlines. Focus on your planning, prioritization, and communication skills that helped the team stay on track. Highlight how you managed potential risks and ensured collaboration, emphasizing the successful outcome and lessons learned.

Explain your approach to aligning technology solutions with business needs by discussing your methods for stakeholder engagement and requirements gathering. Mention how you analyze the current state, solicit feedback, and aim for iterative development to refine solutions, ensuring they effectively address the challenges faced by the Finance teams.

When discussing your experience with Agile methodologies, describe specific projects where you applied Agile practices. Explain how you utilized sprints, promoted collaboration among cross-functional teams, and adapted to feedback quickly to enhance project results. Encourage highlighting any certifications you may have in Agile or related frameworks.

In response to this question, discuss metrics and KPIs you typically use to evaluate finance technology initiatives. Emphasize your commitment to continuous improvement by explaining how you gather feedback from users, track performance data, and implement iteration cycles to enhance the effectiveness of the solutions provided.

When asked about program management tools, provide examples of specific platforms you've used, like JIRA, Trello, or Microsoft Project. Highlight how you utilized these tools to enhance collaboration, monitor progress, and streamline communication across teams involved in finance projects. Emphasize the positive impact on project outcomes.

Share a detailed account of a business case you developed that had a significant impact. Outline the objective, the data you analyzed, and the arguments you presented that led to a decision. Highlight your ability to craft compelling narratives that showcase potential benefits and ROI to persuade senior leadership effectively.

To address this question, discuss your insights on a significant trend such as digital transformation or automation in finance technology. Explain how these trends impact efficiency, accuracy, and decision-making in finance functions, and consider adding your thoughts on how Visa can leverage these trends to further its goals.