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.

Position Summary

The Visa Consulting Director, based in Johannesburg, will deliver consulting support and projects to VISA's key clients across Sub-Saharan Africa markets, with a specific focus on South Africa. The main objective of the role is to help deepen client relationships, identify and define digital strategies, optimize client performance by helping them implement campaigns and strategies recommended by Visa in the areas of customer lifecycle management and new product development and launches.

Principal Responsibilities/Key Results Area

• Using VISA and external data to analyze client needs across the focus markets and identify opportunities for consulting assignments with VISA’s key clients.

• In coordination with Country Managers and Account Executives, develop plans for consulting activity securing funds from partnership agreements to support Consulting projects where such agreements exist.

• Develop project pitches and secure new Consulting assignments with clients, as well as "re-engagements opportunities" via a consultative sales approach in assigned markets.

• Deliver Consulting projects. Resolve complex strategic problems. Synthesize and manage complex project structures when required. Manage, facilitate and implement consulting services and meet client's business targets (assignment objectives, project scope, budget, paperwork, external consultants' supervision and project delivery). Work closely with other VISA groups, including Product, Marketing etc., to ensure a seamless Consulting experience in the countries of focus.

• Work on client site to design and project manage the implementation of marketing campaigns, value propositions and prepaid & credit products

• Develop and deliver client training programs and impart best practices knowledge sharing to VISA clients.

• Where appropriate, work with designated practice areas globally to incorporate best practice, source analytical or other services and leverage global consulting solutions.

• Where appropriate, deliver and manage a network of external Consultants for projects that require external support and:

  1. Maintain excellent liaison and supervision of external consultants' deliveries.

  2. Assist in selecting, recruiting, inducting and training external consulting firms.

  3. Work with other teams and external consultants to develop new and improved tools and techniques for future consulting activities.

• Manage the VISA Consulting budget and resources to perform all required duties.

• Liaise with VISA functional teams (Finance, Audit, Legal, Tax, Sourcing) to define and implement processes to optimize the daily engagement of vendors and the relationships with clients.

Key Competencies

• Bachelor's degree or equivalent. Master’s degree preferred.

• At least 12 years of solid experience in the following areas: value proposition design, digital transformation experience, product development and launch, portfolio and P&L management/awareness in the credit and prepaid space

• Experience should be gained within a top-tier bank or the financial services practice of a top-tier consulting firm. A combination of regional and global experience strongly desired.

• Deep consulting skills and client engagement capabilities. Advanced client contact and presentation skills. Credibility with clients and working teams and diplomatic skills to extract desired outcomes. Comfortable interacting with and presenting to senior management of clients and VISA.

• Highly analytical with advanced PowerPoint skills and Excel skills. SAS skills preferred.

• Superior project management skills. Fluent communicator.

• Results driven, flexible and both internally and externally customer focused.

• Able to travel frequently and work on client site for extended periods across SSA.

• Self-motivated and able to use own initiative with limited direction.

• Strong teamwork and collaboration skills with the ability to work effectively with inter-disciplinary groups.

• Ability to work in a multi-cultural environment.

• Fluency in English mandatory