As the world’s leader in digital payments technology, Visa’s mission is to connect the world through the most creative, reliable and secure payment network - enabling individuals, businesses, and economies to thrive. Our advanced global processing network, VisaNet, provides secure and reliable payments around the world, and is capable of handling more than 65,000 transaction messages a second. The company’s dedication to innovation drives the rapid growth of connected commerce on any device, and fuels the dream of a cashless future for everyone, everywhere. As the world moves from analog to digital, Visa is applying our brand, products, people, network and scale to reshape the future of commerce.

At Visa, your individuality fits right in. Working here gives you an opportunity to impact the world, invest in your career growth, and be part of an inclusive and diverse workplace. We are a global team of disruptors, trailblazers, innovators and risk-takers who are helping drive economic growth in even the most remote parts of the world, creatively moving the industry forward, and doing meaningful work that brings financial literacy and digital commerce to millions of unbanked and underserved consumers.

You’re an Individual. We’re the team for you. Together, let’s transform the way the world pays.

Visa owns the most recognizable global brand in the financial services industry. The India & South Asia Head of Risk’s key responsibilities will be to maintain trust in that brand, championing security in the industry and differentiating Visa in the eyes of clients and key stakeholders.

As a key member of the India Leadership Team, the Head of Risk will advise the Group Country Managers, the India & South Asia Leadership Team and hub & global functional leads on strategies related to complex operational, financial, legal and regulatory risk exposures.

The successful candidate will directly lead a small team of Risk professionals, client-facing Risk Service Managers based in Mumbai. Additionally, the Head of Risk will draw upon the resources of the Asia Pacific Risk function across the wider region and in the Asia Pacific hub in Singapore. These resources range from other sub-regional Risk leads, in-market Risk Service Managers, Risk managers, analysts and highly skilled Risk specialists in the areas of compromise management, data security and fraud analytics.

Reporting to the Asia Pacific Regional Risk Officer, the Head of Risk is entrusted with a broad portfolio of responsibilities including Strategic Risk Management for the business, Credit Settlement Risk and Ecosystem Risk (Fraud & Data Security) across India & South Asia. These markets represent a diversity of regulatory environments. The India & South Asia Head of Risk will interact and represent Visa with Government, Banking and Law Enforcement agencies across each market, including RBI and Government of India, Central Banks of Bangladesh, Nepal & Sri Lanka. This sub-region includes some of Visa’s fastest growing markets

In addition to overseeing Strategic Risk Management, the Head of Risk will have sub-regional responsibility for championing security in the industry and maintaining the integrity of the payments ecosystem. This complex and fast evolving ecosystem includes issuing and acquiring banks, merchants, cardholders, and service providers such as processors, device manufacturers, and payment gateways.

A key responsibility of the Head of Risk will be the development and implementation of Security Roadmaps for all key markets across India & South Asia. Security Roadmaps are a set of market-specific initiatives & goals backed by Visa Rules, mandates and incentives. The roadmaps agreed collaboratively with clients & regulatory bodies, driving improvements in the security posture of the industry – underpinning Visa’s reputation in security. Historically roadmaps included EMV adoption, PCIDSS adoption, 3-D Secure adoption and Consumer Awareness campaigns.

The Head of Risk will develop comprehensive Country Risk Plans, security priorities and execute strategies to prevent fraud, enhance user authentication, safeguard sensitive data, identify and respond to data breaches and prevent the misuse of the payment system for unlawful purposes. The Head of Risk will also be responsible for representing Visa’s Credit Settlement Risk policy to protect Visa against financial loss in the case of a failure of an issuing or acquiring bank.

• Develop and execute a comprehensive risk plans that is consistent with local market landscape, country priorities and global risk strategy
  • Execute both internal and external risk management programs
  • Lead client forums (India, Bangladesh, Nepal & Sri Lanka Risk Councils, working groups, etc.
  • Promote & support client adoption of Visa risk products  / solutions / initiatives
  • Identify new, creative "win-win" methods to reduce and mitigate payment system risk, fraud and cardholder data security risks
  • As a member of the India & South Asia Leadership Team(s), serve as a trusted & strategic advisor to the Group Country Manager(s) on all risk issues
• Prepare reports, briefings and other written products to update executive management on risk activities, issues and opportunities
  • Convey risk-related trends and developments to local country manager and leadership team through regular reporting
  • Synthesize marketplace feedback regarding the effectiveness of Visa’s risk management strategy and programs; benchmark Visa’s performance relative to other payment networks and participants
  • Guide Visa’s proactive risk communications and collaboration across all of these stakeholders so as to advance the safety, security and long-term growth of the Visa payment system
• Lead the responsible innovation initiative by assisting Visa and its clients mitigate risks and embrace new technology improvements
  • Assess emerging/innovation risks and new business models
  • Leverage local insights to contribute to Risk thought leadership
  • Guide clients through payment innovation complexity
• Manage relationships with issuers, acquirers, merchants, payment processors, service providers, regulators and law enforcement to:
  • Resolve fraud & data breach events
  • Provide stakeholder training
  • Respond to ad hoc queries & analytics requirements
  • Identify opportunities to enhance the payment ecosystem and advance risk management best practice
  • Support constructive relationships with local market regulators and law enforcement agencies

The ideal candidate is an accomplished enterprise and operational risk leader with deep experience in the payments industry.  While candidates with payments experience (networks, processors, financial institutions) are preferred, candidates from other multi-national, technology based, transactional businesses (e.g. large retailers) would also be considered. 

Visa may also consider candidates with a track record for leading within a sound, well respected, multi-national, regulated business. 

Regardless of the business pedigree, candidates must possess a deep intellect capable of understanding both current and emerging risks facing the business.Candidates must also demonstrate a track record for using that understanding to develop effective risk mitigation strategies and to sell those strategies to colleagues internally.  The ability to influence senior level decision makers and to partner closely with the business is most critical.

Finally, a high degree of self-confidence, humility and energy will be essential to succeed in a fast paced and evolving industry.