Common Purpose, Uncommon Opportunity

Everyone at Visa works with one goal in mind – making sure that Visa is the best way to pay and be paid, for everyone everywhere. This is our global vision and the common purpose that unites the entire Visa team. As a global payments technology company, tech is at the heart of what we do: Our VisaNet network processes over 13,000 transactions per second for people and businesses around the world, enabling them to use digital currency instead of cash and checks. We are also global advocates for financial inclusion, working with partners around the world to help those who lack access to financial services join the global economy. Visa’s sponsorships, including the Olympics and FIFA™ World Cup, celebrate teamwork, diversity, and excellence throughout the world. If you have a passion to make a difference in the lives of people around the world, Visa
offers an uncommon opportunity to build a strong, thriving career. Visa is fueled by our team of talented employees who continuously raise the bar on delivering the convenience and security of digital currency to people all over the world. Join our team and find out how Visa is everywhere you want to be.

Visa Inc. is seeking a Vice President of Reputation Management and Public Affairs to lead efforts to protect and advance the company’s brand, valuation and reputation globally. The Vice President will be responsible for identifying and tracking potential threats to the organization, developing and executing strategic communications programs to mitigate those threats, and leading crisis communications and response efforts.

Additionally, the Vice President of Reputation Management and Public Affairs will lead our security and risk communications and financial literacy efforts. The position reports to the Senior Vice President of Global Communications and will partner with Visa’s Legal, Security, Risk and Government Relations teams.  

This job requires a senior level communications practitioner with demonstrated issues management and crisis communications experience for a well-established company/brand.

Responsibilities:

Establish tools and processes to identify and monitor a full range of issues with the potential to negatively impact the company’s reputation and brand.

• Undertake reputation research and provide insights and analysis of critical business issues.

• Regularly conduct vulnerability assessments and develop contingency plans to address the most pressing potential scenarios.

• Develop company positioning on key issues – working in partnership with Visa leadership and key business partners.

• Develop creative, thoughtful and impactful proactive communications activities to get ahead of and mitigate potential threats to the organization.

• Lead Visa’s crisis communications strategy and execution 24 hours a day.

• Serve as liaison to the company’s cross-functional crisis response group. This can be a 24/7 job that requires instant engagement, focus and execution under pressure.

• Provide senior level counsel to management during times of crisis.

• Collaborate with the Government Relations team to draft position papers, messaging and related materials related to legislative and regulatory issues/developments and to provide a consistent
  framework for communications.

• Build and maintain relationships with relevant media, government communication officers and other third parties, providing a two-way channel on critical issues and a means to help shape the perceptions of key allies and critics.

• Work with government relations colleagues and regional communications to gain favorable public policy support through coalition and grass roots building.

• Collaborate with Marketing partners to develop and execute issues / reputational advertising campaigns as needed.

• Work with Visa’s security and risk teams to develop communications programs to support their business objectives and advance Visa’s role at the safest way to pay. Promote Visa’s security efforts.

• Lead a team responsible for executing Visa’s financial literacy efforts around the globe. Identify opportunities to leverage the program with financial institution and merchant partners,
  governments and regulators.

• Partner with the Vice President of Corporate Communications team to create a Value of Visa programs designed to demonstrate the positive impact Visa’s network, products and innovations have on consumers, merchants, financial institutions and governments around the world.
  

• Serve as media relations spokesperson on legislative and regulatory issues, as well as during times of crisis.

• Minimum 15 years experience with a focus on crisis communications, issues/reputation management, litigation communications and public affairs.  Political experience is a plus.

• Experience in payments, digital currencies and/or financial services preferred.

• Experience developing global crisis communications plans, programs and policies. We are looking for someone to go beyond the basic planning and help us think in new, dynamic ways about managing our reputation and responding to crises.

• Track record of successfully managing communications during times of crisis in a global, matrixed organization.  Cool under pressure.

• Experience building teams (some direct reports and others dotted line) and instituting follow-the-sun protocols to facilitate global crisis planning and response.

• Ability to synthesize large amounts of data and distill key points clearly, succinctly and quickly.

• Experience counseling executives during times of crisis.

• Experience managing public affairs and government relations efforts.

• Ability to achieve results in a fast-paced and dynamic environment, often on short deadlines

• Experience creating and managing grass-roots advocacy programs.

• Media relations expertise. The ideal candidate will have experience engaging with reporters on a
  regular basis on challenging issues.  Experience as a company spokesperson required.

• Experience using social media / content creation to advance reputation goals and in response to crisis situations.

• Ability to communicate information effectively and accurately, verbally or in writing across multiple disciplines

• Ability to think creatively.

• Must be able to balance strategic thinking with tactical
  execution.

• Sense of humor and positive attitude.

• Bachelors degree required; advanced degree preferred.

• Position to be based in San Francisco, however, we would consider New York for the right candidate.

All your information will be kept confidential according to EEO guidelines.