Sr. Director, Software Engineering (Fullstack) - job 14 of 24

The Sr. Director, Software Engineering at Visa is responsible for leading multiple diverse technical teams, driving the design and deployment of secure and reliable products, and ensuring engineering excellence aligned with platform principles. You will influence product strategy, partner with product teams, and provide mentorship to your staff, all while fostering an inclusive culture of ownership and accountability.

To qualify for the Sr. Director, Software Engineering position at Visa, candidates should have a proven track record of successfully delivering large-scale complex services, exceptional leadership skills, and experience in developing engineering teams. Strong understanding of software development life cycles, regulatory requirements, and a passion for fostering diverse work environments are also key attributes.

The Sr. Director, Software Engineering at Visa ensures strong program management and governance by actively overseeing project dependencies, delivering high-quality projects on time, and aligning team efforts with the overall business vision. This role also enhances collaboration with stakeholders across technology and business units to achieve strategic goals.

The team culture for the Sr. Director, Software Engineering at Visa emphasizes inclusivity, collaboration, and ownership. The organization values diverse perspectives and fosters an environment where staff are motivated, mentored, and encouraged to take charge of their roles, driving innovative ideas and continuous improvement in engineering practices.

At Visa, the Sr. Director, Software Engineering has various opportunities for career growth, including the potential for expanding responsibilities, leading high-impact projects, and mentoring emerging leaders. The company is committed to professional development, with a focus on nurturing talent and providing resources for continued learning and advancement.

When discussing your leadership style during an interview for the Sr. Director, Software Engineering position at Visa, highlight your approach to empowering team members, fostering collaboration, and promoting a culture of accountability. Emphasize your ability to adapt your style based on team needs and project requirements, ensuring you inspire performance.

In your answer, discuss how you assess project impact, align them with business objectives, and evaluate urgency against team capacity. Describe any frameworks or tools you've used to manage prioritization effectively and how you collaborate with stakeholders to ensure alignment on priorities.

Share specific strategies such as inclusive hiring practices, mentorship programs, and employee resource groups that you have implemented or supported. Explain how you value diverse perspectives, encourage open dialogue, and create an environment where all team members feel valued and respected.

When answering this question, focus on your conflict resolution skills, like active listening, finding common ground, and facilitating open discussions. Emphasize your commitment to maintaining a positive team environment and how resolving conflicts can lead to stronger collaboration and innovation.

Discuss metrics such as code quality, deployment frequency, and system uptime that are crucial for assessing engineering excellence. Explain how you leverage these metrics to drive continuous improvement, set team goals, and ensure alignment with organizational standards of six nines availability.

Talk about the importance of mentorship in building strong teams, helping individuals grow in their careers, and fostering knowledge-sharing. Share examples of how you have mentored team members, the positive outcomes you've witnessed, and how mentorship aligns with Visa's leadership principles.

Outline your methods for staying informed, such as attending industry conferences, participating in online forums, or following thought leaders in software engineering. Emphasize your commitment to continuous learning and how you use this knowledge to bring innovative practices to your teams at Visa.

Use this opportunity to showcase your problem-solving skills and ability to work under pressure. Narrate a specific project, highlight the strategies you employed to meet deadlines, and underscore the importance of clear communication and collaboration within your team during that period.

Discuss your approach to engaging with product teams, understanding customer needs, and the importance of data-driven decisions. Share experiences where your insights or technological expertise led to significant enhancements in product strategy that aligned with Visa's goals.

Provide thoughtful insights into trends such as artificial intelligence, blockchain, or increased focus on security. Share your vision for how these trends will evolve and how you see Visa leading innovation in the FinTech space through engineering excellence and strategic leadership.