Director, Operational Excellence and Governance - Solutions Engineering

Our Purpose
Mastercard powers economies and empowers people in 200+ countries and territories worldwide. Together with our customers, we're helping build a sustainable economy where everyone can prosper. We support a wide range of digital payments choices, making transactions secure, simple, smart and accessible. Our technology and innovation, partnerships and networks combine to deliver a unique set of products and services that help people, businesses and governments realize their greatest potential.
Title and Summary
Director, Operational Excellence and Governance - Solutions Engineering
Overview
We are seeking a highly organized and strategic Director to lead the development and ongoing management of a governance framework across our Solutions Engineering initiatives. This role will be instrumental in ensuring alignment, accountability, and execution excellence across multiple payment flows and cross-functional teams. The ideal candidate will bring a strong program management background, keen attention to detail, knowledge of MA Security Solutions Programs, and a passion for driving structure and clarity in complex environments for successful outcomes. This role will directly contribute to improving delivery efficiency and enhancing stakeholder confidence across key initiatives.
Role
• Governance Framework Development: Design and implement a scalable governance structure to oversee initiatives across Security Solutions, ensuring consistency, transparency, and adherence to process.• Project Management Oversight: Lead large-scale, cross-functional program management from initiation through execution, ensuring milestones are met and risks are proactively managed.• Stakeholder Alignment: Facilitate collaboration across multiple teams to ensure initiatives are well-coordinated and dependencies are managed.• Reporting & Communication: Develop and deliver clear, concise updates on project status, milestones, risks, and action items to senior leadership and stakeholders.• Process Discipline: Set the tone for operational rigor, ensuring teams adhere to established processes and governance protocols.• Continuous Improvement: Identify opportunities to enhance project management practices and governance tools, driving efficiency and effectiveness.
All About You
• Solid experience in program or project management, preferably in payments, cybersecurity, or technology.• Proven track record of managing complex, cross-functional initiatives with multiple stakeholders.• Strong understanding of governance principles and program management methodologies.• Exceptional communication and organizational skills.• Ability to influence and drive accountability across teams.• Experience with tools such as SharePoint, Monday.com, and Aha.• Detail-oriented with a strategic mindset.• Comfortable navigating ambiguity and driving clarity.• Strong presence with the ability to set expectations and hold teams accountable.• Collaborative, yet assertive when needed.
Mastercard is a merit-based, inclusive, equal opportunity employer that considers applicants without regard to gender, gender identity, sexual orientation, race, ethnicity, disabled or veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law. We hire the most qualified candidate for the role. In the US or Canada, if you require accommodations or assistance to complete the online application process or during the recruitment process, please contact [email protected] and identify the type of accommodation or assistance you are requesting. Do not include any medical or health information in this email. The Reasonable Accommodations team will respond to your email promptly.
Corporate Security Responsibility
All activities involving access to Mastercard assets, information, and networks comes with an inherent risk to the organization and, therefore, it is expected that every person working for, or on behalf of, Mastercard is responsible for information security and must:

• Abide by Mastercard's security policies and practices;
• Ensure the confidentiality and integrity of the information being accessed;
• Report any suspected information security violation or breach, and
• Complete all periodic mandatory security trainings in accordance with Mastercard's guidelines.

In line with Mastercard's total compensation philosophy and assuming that the job will be performed in the US, the successful candidate will be offered a competitive base salary and may be eligible for an annual bonus or commissions depending on the role. The base salary offered may vary depending on multiple factors, including but not limited to location, job-related knowledge, skills, and experience. Mastercard benefits for full time (and certain part time) employees generally include: insurance (including medical, prescription drug, dental, vision, disability, life insurance); flexible spending account and health savings account; paid leaves (including 16 weeks of new parent leave and up to 20 days of bereavement leave); 80 hours of Paid Sick and Safe Time, 25 days of vacation time and 5 personal days, pro-rated based on date of hire; 10 annual paid U.S. observed holidays; 401k with a best-in-class company match; deferred compensation for eligible roles; fitness reimbursement or on-site fitness facilities; eligibility for tuition reimbursement; and many more.