Manager - Strategic Programs CEMEA

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.

The Strategic Programs team is a part of the Go-to-market Services (GTMS) team within Client Services (CS) function. The team leads the delivery of critical strategic initiatives and complex transformational programs. This team is at the forefront of achieving the CS function’s 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, management information and business reporting.

The Manager of Strategic Programs, an individual contributor, ensures project management, performance management, and business reporting meet the function's objectives. This role involves creating detailed project plans, managing risks and issues, and communicating progress for timely decision-making.

The role is a direct report to the Director, Strategic Programs, in the CEMEA Go-to-market Services team and will be based in Dubai. 

• Responsible for driving business effectiveness through best-in-class management information and business reporting. 
• Creates monthly and quarterly business reporting, data points and materials for the function
• Maintains diligent monitoring and actioning of OKRs, focusing on identifying key variances, trends, and issues to ensure timely decision-making
• Demonstrates business analysis with a focus on trends, data analytics, dashboards, and sales tools
• Leads Performance optimization initiatives, working directly with Product and CS leads to define appropriate metrics and KPIs, and delivers required tooling to monitor
• Defines and documents project requirements by identifying project milestones, phases, and resources
• Project manages large cross-functional projects, track status, risks & issues, and drive accountability vs. plan 
• Manages stakeholders by coordinating internal resources for a flawless execution of projects
• Assists in the prioritization and sequencing of projects using defined criteria and identify project overlaps to increase effectiveness 
• Reports status across projects, identifying when action is required and recommending solutions to overcome roadblocks across all areas of the business
• Facilitates Visa planning cycles, including Annual Operating Plan (AOP) support
• Builds excellent relationships with stakeholders in Client Services, Product, Sales and Global to facilitate effective execution of business outcomes.

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

Basic Qualification

• 5+ years of relevant work experience with a Bachelor’s Degree or at least 2 years of work experience with an Advanced degree (e.g. Masters, MBA, JD,MD) or 0 years of work experience with a PhD, OR 8+ years of relevant work experience.

Preferred Qualification

• Bachelor’s Degree with extensive experience providing business analysis, strategic planning and/or program/project management and data analysis in software, financial or information services
• 8+ years of success in a technology, financial or information services business or with at least 6 years of experience in the payments industry. International experience and exposure to matrixed organizations preferable
• PRINCE2 or PMP experience or qualifications desirable, with Agile qualifications and experience desirable
• Strong and demonstrable experience in data analytics software, such as Power BI, Tableau, MicroStrategy, open-source tool
• Experience with digital collaboration tools e.g., Mural and project management software e.g., Jira is beneficial
• 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
• Strong technical aptitude with the ability to absorb technical information. 
• 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
• Well-developed interpersonal skills, strong verbal, and written communication skills with ability to clearly communicate compelling messages to key stakeholders
• High self-motivation and ability to work under minimal supervision.  Able to proactively identify areas of improvement and develop plans to address
• Ability to use appropriate verification techniques to facilitate decision making
• Ability to develop or modify existing methods/processes as part of continuous improvement.
• Experience in leading complex projects teams with global reach.
• Proven ability to execute against tight deadlines and manage conflicting
  priorities essential
• 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.