Director, Data Science - job 1 of 3

Visa is a world leader in payments and technology, with over 259 billion payments transactions flowing safely between consumers, merchants, financial institutions, and government entities in more than 200 countries and territories each year. Our mission is to connect the world through the most innovative, convenient, reliable, and secure payments network, enabling individuals, businesses, and economies to thrive while driven by a common purpose – to uplift everyone, everywhere by being the best way to pay and be paid.

Make an impact with a purpose-driven industry leader. Join us today and experience Life at Visa.

Join Visa: A Network Working for Everyone.

The payments industry is rapidly evolving with new, innovative solutions. Visa, a leader in the space, is transforming into a technology company and investing heavily in this area. If you're excited about working in the payments industry, learning quickly, and making a significant impact, Visa's Ecosystem & Operational Risk (EOR) technology group is the place for you.

Within EOR, the Payment Fraud Disruption team builds critical applications and services to detect and prevent fraud across Visa's payment systems. We’re looking for a Director of Software Engineering to lead several strategic initiatives, driving technical architecture, design, and delivery of solutions that safeguard Visa’s systems.

Ideal candidates will have strong experience in Data Science and Machine Learning, with a proven ability to lead teams, create impactful products, and manage large-scale data systems. You’ll collaborate with both business and tech partners to shape the future of fraud detection and risk management.

Essential Functions

• Design and develop ML models and deploy them in a  secure, reliable, robust and interoperable products.
• Drive excellence in engineering practices across the SSDLC.
• Drive adoption of Gen AI across the portfolio, for client innovation, business productivity and developer productivity.
• Partner with Product teams on requirements and prioritization. Influence product strategy and roadmap.
• Lead a multi-disciplinary team of AI & ML experts, data engineers , software developers
• Develop and nurture the engineering team by hiring critical talent, driving retention, motivating, and mentoring staff, and driving career growth for team members.
• Build an inclusive team culture, and a culture of ownership and accountability.
• Drive strategic impact for EOR by delivering fit-for-purpose products with an accelerated time to market.
• Ensure strong program management and governance practices for your team.
• Forge strong partnerships with key stakeholders across Technology & Business.
• Role model Visa Leadership Principles (VLPs).

This is a hybrid position. Hybrid employees can alternate time between both remote and office. Employees in hybrid roles are expected to work from the office 3 set days a week (determined by leadership/site), with a general guidepost of being in the office 50% or more of the time based on business needs.

Visa is not offering relocation assistance for this role.

Basic Qualifications:

• 10+ years of relevant work experience with a Bachelor’s Degree or at least 7 years of work experience with an Advanced degree (e.g. Masters, MBA, JD, MD) or 4 years of work experience with a PhD, OR 13+ years of relevant work experience.

Preferred Qualifications:

• 15 or more years of work experience with a Bachelor’s Degree or 12+ years of experience with an Advanced Degree (e.g., Masters, MBA, JD, MD) or 10+ years of work experience with a PhD
• Experience leading product development & delivery of AI/ML solutions, applied to real-world problems
• Experience leading design and development of mission-critical, secure, reliable systems 
• Excellent understanding of algorithms and data structures
• Excellent problem solving and analytics skills. Capable of forming and advocating an independent viewpoint
• Strong experience with agile methodologies
• Excel in partnering with Product leaders and technical product managers on requirements workshops, helping define joint product/technology roadmaps & driving prioritization
• Experience driving continuous improvements to processes/tools for better developer efficiency and productivity
• Demonstrated ability to drive measurable improvements across engineering, delivery and performance metrics
• Demonstrated success in leading high performing, multi-disciplinary and geographically distributed engineering teams. Demonstrated ability to hire, develop and retain high-caliber talent
• Must demonstrate longer-term strategic thinking and staying abreast with latest technologies to assess what’s possible technically
• Strong collaboration and effective communication, with focus on win-win outcomes

Work Hours: Varies upon the needs of the department.

Travel Requirements: This position requires travel 5-10% of the time.

Mental/Physical Requirements: This position will be performed in an office setting.  The position will require the incumbent to sit and stand at a desk, communicate in person and by telephone, frequently operate standard office equipment, such as telephones and computers.

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.

Visa will consider for employment qualified applicants with criminal histories in a manner consistent with applicable local law, including the requirements of Article 49 of the San Francisco Police Code.

U.S. APPLICANTS ONLY: The estimated salary range for a new hire into this position is 176,400.00 to 256,000.00 USD, which may include potential sales incentive payments (if applicable). Salary may vary depending on job-related factors which may include knowledge, skills, experience, and location. In addition, this position may be eligible for bonus and equity. Visa has a comprehensive benefits package for which this position may be eligible that includes Medical, Dental, Vision, 401 (k), FSA/HSA, Life Insurance, Paid Time Off, and Wellness Program.

Visa is not offering relocation assistance for this role.