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.

The global Product Organization delivers the holistic product strategy for Visa and accelerates the seamless delivery of our products into markets. We are at the core of Visa’s overall vision to be the best way to pay and be paid for everyone, everywhere. We are fueled by a diverse team of talented team-members who continuously raise the bar on delivering best-in-class products and services to people all over the world.

Our business in Sub-Saharan Africa includes more than 45 markets of the most exciting economies in Africa, and include our offices in Johannesburg, Nairobi, Lagos, Abidjan, Accra and Kigali. As part of the Product team in SSA, you will assist in designing and implementing the go-to-market strategy for product sales and deployment at Visa. Your role may include aspects of consultative client engagement, product strategy, execution, and analytics to craft solutions to meet customer needs. You will also be working with a team that supports technical conversations and deployment with external partners, including advising on how they can work with Visa to build custom solutions that utilize their strengths to enhance Visa’s solution bundles.

Job Purpose:

Manage all aspects of the relationship between Visa and designated Member bank(s) with a focus on business growth and Member satisfaction.

Manage the setting, direction and implementation of country & business strategies, objectives and plans within designated Member bank(s) in order to achieve business targets through growing the existing business and through identifying new business opportunities including the introduction and implementation of new products and services. 

Dimensions:

Staff:               Nil

Countries:       Namibia, Zimbabwe, FNB ROSSA and Atlas Mara                       

Business Results: Accountable for achieving business targets through growing designated country business revenues PV/MV/CIF, and developing new business opportunities. Monitor business results of the individual countries and client banks and anticipate challenges and take proactive measures to accomplish country targets.

Principal Accountabilities:

Strategic Planning

Manage the development of strategic plans for designated Countries and Member banks by integrating and setting priorities based on information about the markets, Member business plans, Visa priorities and competitor activities.  Ensure the plans are shared, understood and bought into by specialist divisions within Visa.

Contribute to the development of the Sub Saharan Africa strategy.

Ensure the development of individual designated Member bank(s) operational plans, with corresponding tactics and actions to achieve defined goals. 

Monitor the development of the banking and financial services industry across the region, analyse trends and understand factors impacting current and potential business results of Visa.  Monitor, analyse and develop/respond to competitors strategies. 

Drive Innovation agenda with thought leadership focus especially mobile, Visa Direct, paywave.

Ensure that the necessary Marketing plans are in place in good time (6 months ahead) and have sufficient justification for the required spend.

Business Development and Relationship Management

Establish, develop and manage the relationship between Visa and designated Member bank(s).

Establish, develop and manage relationship between Visa and industry representatives in-country such as Central Banks, Governments, Bankers Association and Media.

Establish, develop and manage relationships in-country with Vendors, Processors and Domestic Switches

Responsible for country revenue

Identify new business development opportunities and take accountability for and manage the project evaluation of these.  Focus on achieving business targets through growing existing business and developing new business opportunities.  Monitor business results of designated Member bank(s) and anticipate challenges and take proactive measures to accomplish targets.  Ensure effective communication of progress to targets both within Visa and with Member bank(s).  

Develop, maintain and cultivate close relationships with decision-makers and senior management of designated Member banks, partner companies, Central banks and national banking associations.  Understand their business strategies, priorities, needs and business processes, present to them strategic ideas and share Visa’s views on industry developments and dynamics and advise them how Visa products can impact their results.

Represent Visa to the Members by providing a point of contact to them, with permanent high quality support on the Visa organisation, products, systems and policies.

Member consulting relating to operations, IT, marketing, compliance

Pan Regional Sub Saharan Africa – where applicable plan and develop Visa business in conjunction with pan regional member in the relevant countries within Sub Sahara in order to meet or exceed targets established through the Regional planning process, within allocated budgets

Public Relations

Represent Visa by attending and speaking at conferences and business meetings and undertake media/public relations activities in the area, to shape perceptions of the corporation.

Develop PR strategies in association with designated PR specialist(s) in order to achieve overall objectives for the country/region, creating the appropriate ‘atmosphere’ for growing Visa products and services.

Assist with the relationships with the central banks, key technology partners and other organisations involved in payment services. Utilise these relationships to influence and change attitudes and decisions of Member banks and to achieve Visa’s goals in the region.

General

Ensure all CEMEA departments are fully informed of actions that may affect them, support their objectives and business plans and seek to resolve conflicts which might occur. 

Actively contribute to the development of the team through sharing of information, coaching and support.

Establish, maintain and develop good relationships with CEMEA colleagues, staff in Worldwide Services and other regions to ensure that global initiatives and best practice throughout Visa are effectively introduced across CEMEA.

Complete ad hoc project/research work and other initiatives as directed by senior management.

Security

As with all positions within Visa CEMEA the jobholder is responsible for the security of the Visa CEMEA environment and the physical security of all Visa property, documentation and member information. 

Health and Safety

Give full support to the Company’s health and safety policy and ensure that the policy is effectively implemented and all relevant health and safety legislation is complied with within their area of responsibility and within budgeted resources. 

Qualifications and Experience:

Strong experience in the Banking/Financial Services sector/Mobile network/Fintechs; card payment experience essential.

Capability to liaise, present to and work with senior level international bankers.

Excellent knowledge of Visa, other payment systems, card products and the activities of different payment systems in the relevant markets.

Commercial orientation, interpersonally credible, influential in their dealings and sensitive to a multicultural environment.

Ability to manage varied indirect reporting relationships at all levels of the Visa and member organisation.

Creative and design thinking

Experience in influencing developing and/or motivating people to achieving company and customer objectives.

Sales Experience.

Excellent written and verbal communication and presentation skills.

Capability of working competently with different market areas.