Senior Director, Corporate & Product Communications, CEMEA

Company Description

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.

Job Description

Team Overview

Our Corporate Communications and Events team is at the forefront of strengthening Visa’s reputation, driving business growth and inspiring culture amongst colleagues, clients and partners, and media and stakeholders across Central and Eastern Europe, Middle East and Africa (CEMEA). Our talented and passionate team combine local leaders driving impactful Communications and Events activities across the 87 markets we serve, and a centralized ‘Market Support’ team leading pan-regional initiatives and enabling market success.

The CEMEA communications team creates and delivers communications programs to support Visa’s external communications profile, including Regional President and senior leadership spanning critical business areas including Consumer Payments, Commercial and Money Movement, Value Added Services, Risk, Brand, Technology and Strategy.

We work across external, client and employee communication activities to promote Visa’s strategy, and positioning as the leading partner for financial institutions, merchants, digital partners, technology companies and governments. In close partnership with the business functions, we define positions in the region on a wide range of industry topics and deliver corresponding news and thought leadership to engage audiences across multiple channels.

As Senior Director, Head of Corporate and Product Communications, CEMEA, you will be responsible for leading the development and implementation of communications strategies and plans that advance Visa’s reputation and drive business growth. You will lead a team and will serve as primary communications business partner for functions, and senior executives within the CEMEA Leadership Team. You will work closely with teams across CEMEA, and global colleagues, on 360-degree communications programs that span media, digital, internal and client communications. 

You will create content and campaigns, and oversee channels and platforms, developing innovative and strategic approaches to tell our Visa story to media, stakeholders, clients and partners. This includes comprehensive corporate storytelling, product- and technology-focused media and digital campaigns, and stakeholder engagement delivered via a mix of channels including events.

Responsibilities include: 

• Primary responsibility for Visa CEMEA corporate and product communications, serving as 360-degree communications senior trusted advisor for CEMEA-wide functions and executives.
• Build and amplify corporate narratives on Visa’s economic and social contribution to the CEMEA region, with emphasis on priority themes (e.g. innovation, security).
• Develop strategic and creative plans, campaigns and content that advance business growth on key product, solution and service growth priorities for business units through news and thought leadership.
• Partner on the delivery of regional strategic events through the development of thought leadership content for senior leaders, while leading external amplification.
• Establish strategic Corporate Affairs plans that showcase and build strong, lasting partnerships with priority public- and private-sector stakeholders across CEMEA.
• Lead pan-CEMEA digital strategy and approach, establishing, maintaining and building compelling platforms that drive engagement with key clients.
• Serve as connection between global corporate and product communications teams, while serving as connection between functional priorities and regional needs.
• Build proactive corporate communications narrative, spanning issues and supporting crisis communication, partnerships, M&A across CEMEA.
• Lead a high-performing regional communications team to drive Visa’s key communications priorities

This is a hybrid position. Hybrid employees can alternate time between both remote and office. Employees in hybrid roles are expected to work from the office 2-3 set days a week (determined by leadership/site), with a general guidepost of being in the office 50% or more of the time based on business needs.

Qualifications

• 15-20+ years’ experience in Corporate Communications and Events, including
multinational and agency roles, serving in regional and functional Leadership
Teams.
• Industry experience in technology, fintech, financial services is strongly
preferred.
• A proven team leader, with deep experience in developing and coaching high-
performing teams, while supporting, enabling and mentoring talent to grow and
thrive.
• Bold and creative mindset, to problem-solve challenges, and develop
innovative communications strategies that directly address business priorities.
• Demonstrated ability to influence, counsel, and guide leaders, while developing
effective relationships and strong rapport with colleagues, functional partners,
and global teams.
• Deep experience in shaping communications strategies and serving as a
trusted advisor to senior leaders. Ability to synthesize business issues into
plans, campaigns, content and agendas, that drives news and provides thought
leadership.
• Exceptional written, verbal, and presentation skills. Ability to adapt quickly to
changing priorities, pivot quickly, and respond with urgency.
• Combine strategic expertise with flawless tactical delivery, creating and
delivering communication plans and activities that achieve clear and
measurable outcomes in line with defined and agreed goals.

Additional Information

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.