Director, North America Events

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 #LifeatVisa.

We are looking for a Senior Manager to join the North America Events team and focus on event operations and logistics. This role will create, drive and manage events to support Visa’s client and employee initiatives across the U.S. and Canada. This professional needs to understand strategic business objectives and help translate them into successful event programs. This position reports to the Sr. Director, North America Events and is based in San Francisco, CA or New York, NY. While proximity to Visa’s corporate headquarters is preferred, qualified candidates in other markets will also be considered.

Responsibilities:

• This role is part of Visa’s North America (NA) Operations group, which is responsible for various internal and external meetings and events supporting NA Leadership and the regional sales team for the U.S. and Canada, working closely with leaders to engage their teams and the wider Visa population on relevant business priorities and key objectives.

• Manage logistics for various types of event programs such as large-scale client conferences with C-level attendees, Client Roundtables, User Conferences, Hospitality Events and internal All-Staffs and Annual Sales Meetings.

• Manage project timelines, production schedules and event specifications.

• Develop and deliver event marketing and communications to support increased audience engagement.

• Negotiate and manage vendor contracts across event elements – to include venue sourcing, food and beverage planning, housing management, AV production, transportation.

• Support robust analytics to illustrate event effectiveness and lead generation measurement to stakeholders and to drive ongoing  program improvement.

• Develop and maintain accurate event budgets, cost negotiation, administer and reconcile event spend, payments and invoicing. Keep detailed event and budget records for internal documentation and audit purposes.

• Create and administer event registration sites and event apps for large scale events

• Ability to execute registration management, housing, food & beverage planning, product showcase, theme parties, brand ambassador management, print / signage, premiums, transportation and all event logistics.

• Manage logistics for industry tradeshows

• Create event proposals, pitches and budget estimates

• Support implementation of event monetization and fee-structured event processes

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 2-3 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.

Basic Qualifications:

• 10 or more years of work experience with a Bachelor’s Degree or at least 8 years of work experience with an Advanced Degree (e.g. Masters/ MBA/JD/MD) or at least 3 years of work experience with a PhD

Preferred Qualifications:

• 12 or more years of work experience with a Bachelor’s Degree or 8-10 years of experience with an Advanced Degree (e.g. Masters, MBA, JD, MD) or 6+ years of work experience with a PhD
• Bachelor’s degree in Hospitality, Event Marketing, English, communications, public relations, marketing, or related discipline a plus.
• Experience in payments, fintech, financial services, or another relevant area strongly preferred.
• Proven and expansive experience in event marketing processes and principles and direct event experience on corporate events of 1000+ attendees and 5M+ budgets, sponsorship programs and internal employee events. Proven experience in executing executive-level programs and employing current event management strategies and tactics to deliver best-in-class projects.
• Ability to create programs, agendas, and content that communicate, celebrate and expand the Visa mission
• Exceptional written, verbal, and presentation skills. Strong event marketing and communications background to support attendee strategy and attendee journey planning.
• Knowledge of convention center planning and union labor elements a plus.
• Direct experience implementing strategic meetings management process in hybrid and virtual environments
• Self-directed with roll-up-sleeves work ethic to manage small and big tasks as needed. Flexible mind-set and team player culture champion.
• Ability to adapt quickly to changing priorities, pivot quickly, and respond with urgency.
• Sound business judgment and experience “connecting the dots” among seemingly unrelated topics.
• Positive approach and commitment to collaboration with shared purpose.
• Certified Meeting Professional (CMP) Certification preferred
• Knowledge of virtual event platforms such as Cvent, Swoogo, On24, Eventfinity and virtual meetings using MS Teams and/or WebEx
• Proficient in MS suite of products (Word, Excel, PowerPoint), savvy with technology with a data-focused mindset. Strong knowledge of Microsoft Excel and other data management programs required.
• Exceptional eye for event design and delivering with polish, style and impact
• Trustworthy and credible, ability to manage sensitive information

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 146,900 to 213,000 USD per year, 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.