Senior Director, People Mergers & Acquisitions (M&A) and Legal Entity Set-up (LES) - Europe & CEMEA

As the Senior Director of People M&A and LES at Visa, your primary responsibilities include leading the entire acquisition process, from due diligence to negotiations and integration of newly acquired entities. You will design and implement the People M&A strategy for Europe & CEMEA, ensuring effective new entity setups and facilitating collaboration with corporate functions. Your role also involves overseeing project teams, setting priorities, and maintaining strong relationships with stakeholders.

To qualify for the Senior Director role at Visa, you should have substantial experience in building and leading teams, preferably within a transformation environment. Expertise in program management and financial/budget management is essential, along with strong communication skills and the ability to manage complex projects. A strategic mindset, attention to detail, and excellent collaboration abilities in a global environment are also critical for success in this position.

Visa places significant emphasis on skills such as strategic thinking, agile program management, excellent communication, and collaboration in a matrixed environment. Additional skills include strong attention to detail, process improvement capabilities, and the ability to handle multiple projects while anticipating potential issues. Candidates should possess a results-oriented mindset and high ethical standards in driving projects to completion.

In the Senior Director role for M&A at Visa, you'll support the integration process through strategic planning, overseeing the resource allocation for project teams, and ensuring that all aspects of the acquisition are tailored to align with Visa’s corporate culture and operational standards. You will proactively manage relationships with acquired entities to facilitate smoother transitions and project updates to keep stakeholders informed and engaged.

Yes, the Senior Director position at Visa is a hybrid role, which allows for a combination of remote and in-office work. Employees in hybrid roles are generally expected to work in the office 2-3 set days a week, depending on business needs, providing a balance that supports both professional collaboration and personal flexibility.

When answering this question, provide specific examples of past M&A processes you have managed. Focus on your role in due diligence, negotiations, and integration. Highlight the outcomes and what you learned from the experience to show your capability and reflection.

Discuss your approach to prioritization, including tools or frameworks you use to assess project urgency and importance. Offer examples of how you've successfully juggled projects, ensuring that you met deadlines without compromising quality.

Highlight your communication style and the methods you use to ensure all stakeholders are aligned. Describe past experiences where you encouraged transparent communication and addressed conflicts or misunderstandings successfully.

Explain your approach to relationship management, emphasizing active listening, regular check-ins, and feedback mechanisms to understand the needs and concerns of acquired entities. Share a success story of a smooth integration you facilitated through strong relationships.

Be prepared to narrate a specific challenging acquisition, detailing the obstacles faced and the strategies you implemented to overcome them. Focus on your problem-solving skills, collaboration with teams, and the ultimate positive outcome.

Discuss your knowledge of legal and regulatory frameworks governing M&A transactions. Describe how you integrate compliance checks and audits into your projects, ensuring that every acquisition aligns with Visa’s policies and legal requirements.

Talk about your philosophy on change management, including techniques you've implemented to prepare teams for change. Provide examples of how you helped teams adapt to new cultures and processes post-acquisition.

Explain your criteria for evaluating M&A opportunities, such as market fit, synergies, and cultural compatibility. Share how you collaborate with other departments to ensure a comprehensive evaluation that aligns with Visa’s strategic goals.

Discuss your experience working closely with executive leadership to align M&A strategies with the company vision. Illustrate with examples how you've tailored M&A efforts to support product development, market expansion, and revenue growth.

Share specific strategies you’ve implemented to create a culture of accountability, such as setting clear expectations, offering constructive feedback, and recognizing team members' achievements. Highlight the importance of accountability in M&A success.