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.

Why this is important to Visa:

The Sri Lanka & Maldives Country Manager reports to the Group Country Manager for India & South Asia (INSA) and is a member of the INSA Leadership Team.

Visa Country Managers are responsible for establishing and delivering the market performance targets and growing the business through deep client relationships.  Protecting the company’s brand, growing market share and increasing revenue are the priority.

The Country Manager engages with key stakeholders, internally and externally, operating at a senior level with clients and leading key strategic market and technology developments.  They have responsibility spanning sales, product, marketing, merchants, government relations, public relations, and help Visa to expand access into key business verticals and clients. 

 What a Country Manager does at Visa:

• Lead the development and implementation of the market strategy to enable the activities that achieve business targets through growing the existing business, identifying new business opportunities and implementing new products and services across the markets. 
• Understand the business landscape and end user / consumer trends in the market, anticipate challenges and take proactive measures to accomplish targets.
• Develop, cultivate and maintain close relationships with client CEOs, management teams, decision-makers and other influencers within Visa’s client banks, national banking association, key merchants, merchant associations and partner companies. Be aware of their views on the current state and future prospects for the payments industry, banking and financial services industry, and technology innovation.  
• Understand our clients’ unique strategies, priorities, needs and decision making processes and adapt Visa’s approach to dealing with each client appropriately. 
• Serve as an advocate of the industry and represent Visa in the marketplace.  Sharing Visa’s views on industry developments with clients and merchants and articulating how Visa products and solutions can enhance their business results.
• Collaborate and engage with colleagues across Visa, endeavouring to provide guidance and support with complex discussions and ensure the business is appropriately involved and informed about client matters, delivering solutions as one team. 
• Understand and articulate how Visa differs from its competitors in terms of business strategies and capabilities, product positioning and pricing, and ability to drive client performance. Actively drive this differentiation and insight.
• Engage regulators and other government entities in collaboration with the Visa Government Relations team in order to drive stronger economic growth, business innovation and financial inclusion.  Additionally, manage any specific prospective or in progress regulatory change.
• Demonstrate excellent knowledge of the Fintech ecosystem, and specifically of Visa’s products and services.  
• Maintain a strong and developed understanding of the impact of market to the INSA cluster and Asia Pacific region strategy that will enable Visa to reach its ambitious goals.
• Ensure that the initiatives of diverse functions within the market are integrated and aligned to Visa’s broader business plans and strategic goals in the INSA cluster.
• Lead local initiatives within the wider Visa community in INSA and ensure the market has the necessary resources to achieve scorecard targets.
• Lead and manage the product portfolio for key accounts, ensuring Visa clients have excellent support service from the Visa team.
• Provide inspirational leadership to the team, ensuring maximum efficiency and engagement by managing conflicting and competing demands across multiple client accounts.
• Collaborate and engage with colleagues across Visa, endeavoring to provide guidance and support with complex negotiations and ensure the business is appropriately involved and informed about client matters, delivering solutions as one team. 
• Maintain a comprehensive operational risk and control environment and ensure strict adherence to Visa compliance practices are maintained at all times through championing risk ownership and accountability in the markets. 
• Champion Visa’s consumer and employer brand in the market – leading by example on Visa’s Leadership Principles and values.  An ambassador in the market for exceptional talent and company brand attraction.
• Attract, develop and retain outstanding talent. Ensure appropriate succession planning is in place for key roles, maximize employee engagement and ensure all staff have meaningful development plans. Create a sense of community and drive a culture of genuine inclusion.

What you will need:

• A minimum of 15 - 20 years plus of experience including 10 years of commercial / sales leadership experience within the broader payments industry, or adjacent sectors where technology (digital / e and m-commerce) feature strongly
• Strong track record of client service, strategic development and execution, where the development and deployment of the digital and customer agenda has been a key driver of success.
• Track record in developing and leading client relationships and new business opportunities with key partners in the market.  
• Track record of navigating ambiguity, innovation and leading businesses in the capture, expansion / extension and retention of client relationships. 
• Commercially astute and proven success growing a business in a high-growth / fast-paced environment.
• Strong B2B2C experience, with knowledge of expanding into new customer distribution channels.  
• Track record in establishing strong connections with government representatives and regulators. 
• Excellent communication skills.
• Robust decision-making and analytical skills.  Strong command of financial, market and consumer data with the ability to grasp complex and detailed issues.  Financially literate with an excellent understanding of risk management.
• Demonstrated success developing strategy and leading it through to execution and delivery.
• Consistent record of having met challenging financial and business targets. 
• Experience building, leading and developing high performing teams. 
• Ability to work collaboratively with executives from Visa’s clients and partners to leverage Visa’s products and services in order to build broader payments solutions, and to enhance the organization’s client relationships. 
• Experience of working in a global matrix organization with the ability to navigate complex structures and empower decision-making locally.
• Experience of leading change programs within a business and has led a team on a journey of cultural and transformational change.
• An authentic leader who intuitively engenders an inclusive environment, enabling the business to reach its ambitious goals.  
• An intelligent and intellectually curious leader. Creative and resourceful in overcoming barriers and unexpected roadblocks.  Courageous in spirit, driving change through innovation.
• Takes a hands-on approach to all activities with real passion and high levels of energy.
• Minimum degree level qualification, MBA considered valuable

Visa will consider for employment qualified applicants with criminal histories in a manner consistent with EEOC guidelines and applicable local law.