Program Director, Account and Wallet

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.

Essential Functions

Within the Visa Direct Account and Wallet Operations function, the Implementation Management Office are responsible for the resourcing, governance, and processes to manage end-to-end lifecycle of client and network partner onboarding, working in partnership with Commercial, Technical, and Non-Technical functions across Visa. We have a unique opportunity for an experienced Program Director to drive a program of rapid network expansion. This is a critical position to bring together Visa’s talent to collaborate and ensure deliverables are achieved. As Program Director for this opportunity your role will include:  

• Initiating and setting goals for the overall program according to the strategic objectives in relation to ambitions for network expansion and revenue growth including a full project board and governance structure to ensure visibility is provided at all levels across Visa. 

• Establish different project workstreams with project management assigned to each from start to completion involving deadlines, milestones, dependencies, and related processes. 

• Establish and maintain full stakeholder map and communication strategy. This will include stakeholders internally within Visa Direct, but also externally within the wider client and network chain. 

• Provide leadership and guidance to workstreams, ensuring timely and successful completion of subprojects to meet the wider program objectives. 

• Determine immediate launch plans and timeframes to ensure we meet go live date on time for each phase across FY25 and FY26. 

• Devise evaluation strategies to monitor ongoing BAU performance post launch and determine the need for continuous improvements and partner with commercial and network teams on expansion opportunities. 

• Supervise all program and project managers involved across all workstreams to provide feedback and resolve complex problems prior to launch and then as part of BAU. 

• Discover ways to enhance efficiency and productivity of procedures and people. 

• Conduct regular analysis and evaluation of program performance, identifying areas of improvement and implementing necessary changes, following change and risk management principles as required. 

• Ensure program operations and activities adhere to commercial contract and internal risk compliance policies. 

What we expect of you, day to day.  

This role will report to the Senor Director, Global Head of Implementation and shall:  

• Drive the portfolio tracking of implementations, their deliverables and consider the dependencies, to achieve successful launch of new cross border payment corridors in collaboration with the sponsor and wider stakeholder group. 

• Ensure risks are accounted for and effectively addressed to mitigate or minimize impact. 

• Ensure all stakeholders are kept up to date on progress, potential risks, and delays, and cross workstream communication remains open and collaborative with dependencies are considered. 

• Anticipate issues and delays that may occur and put contingency plans in place as appropriate. 

• Respond to issues, challenges and concerns that arise during the program, challenging, pushing back as required. 

• Manage the relationship with both internal and external senior stakeholders, escalating only in the most complex situations. 

• Work with others to utilize multiple information sources to resolve complex problems, identifying potential solutions and recommendations. 

• Explain complex issues and work with others to reach a consensus to achieve objectives/success criteria. 

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

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

Proven experience as a program director or other senior level position responsible and accountable for multi-function deliverables

Strong business acumen with a strategic mindset and ability to take ownership to manage governance framework around program.

Excellent organizational and leadership skills including the ability to lead without direct authority

An analytical mindset with great problem-solving abilities

Proven track record in delivering high value strategic programs within complex and fast evolving matrix driven organization.

Client and Partner facing experience with engagement and presentation to executive stakeholders to drive multiple workstreams in executing the strategy.

Experienced in managing programs with technical integration deliverables and testing programs.

Minimum 8 years of experience in program management with ownership of end-to-end journey and successful completion and 5 years in leadership role.

Effective leadership, people management, communications, negotiating and influencing skills.

Excellent skills in drafting presentations, reports, communications to convey a narrative and status for different audiences up to executive leadership level.

Thorough understanding of project/program management techniques and methods and holding relevant program and project management qualifications desirable (e.g. PMP, Prince 2, Agile)

English and Spanish speaking required for this role.

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 $153,000 to $199,800 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.