Visa is a world leader in digital payments, facilitating more than 215 billion payments transactions between consumers, merchants, financial institutions and government entities across more than 200 countries and territories each year. Our mission is to connect the world through the most innovative, convenient, reliable and secure payments network, enabling individuals, businesses and economies to thrive.

When you join Visa, you join a culture of purpose and belonging – where your growth is priority, your identity is embraced, and the work you do matters. We believe that economies that include everyone everywhere, uplift everyone everywhere. Your work will have a direct impact on billions of people around the world – helping unlock financial access to enable the future of money movement.

Join Visa: A Network Working for Everyone.

Ecosystem Security & Integrity (ESI) is a Global Risk group that is tasked with the role of upholding the security and integrity of the payment ecosystem through the interdiction of illegal and fraudulent activity. This is achieved through the deployment of risk quality control and/or compliance programs. The programs are deployed through Visa Rules and additional client guidelines and Visa performs quality control leveraging proprietary tools, specialized third party vendors, regional risk teams, and other stakeholders. ESI also works with internal and external stakeholders to further its charter and initiatives.

The person in this role manages the overall design and deployment of the “Acquirer Control” processes as defined in the Visa Integrity Risk Program. The objective of these processes is to assess the effectiveness of controls Acquirers have in place to onboard and manage merchants that are active across defined, high-risk merchant activities. This Senior Director will develop an “underwriting” as well as an “ongoing monitoring” approach, define minimum standards and acceptance criteria that are used to approve Acquirers to be active across such activities. The Senior Director will also oversee risk remediation where required, working with regional risk teams and other stakeholders. The person will ensure related policies, procedures, and controls are executed consistently across all Visa regions as well as by internal and external stakeholders.

Essential Functions

• Develop and define a lifecycle program that assesses the effectiveness of controls Acquirers have in place to onboard and manage merchants covered under Visa’s Integrity Risk Program
• Lead the team, both global and regional, that performs the assessment of Acquirer controls at the time of onboarding of a new Acquirer. Such underwriting may include any of the following: review of Self-Assessment Questionnaires, of Acquirer Policies, Procedures and sample Merchant Files, various external diligence information, payment fraud performance, etc.
• Perform periodic risk-based assessment of Acquirers covered under Visa’s Integrity Risk program, with ongoing monitoring
• Conduct on-site Acquirer Audits, or coordinate Audits through 3rd parties
• Drive and oversee Visa’s Close Monitoring process and coordinate risk and threat management actions vis-a-vis ecosystem participants posing an excessive risk or potential threat — exceeding Visa’s stated risk tolerance.
• Engage with Merchants Sales & Acceptance (MSA) and Account Executives to share intelligence, asses mitigating actions, and ensure clear accountability across functions and/or individuals to drive a consistent and timely remediation approach
• Working closely with the Visa Integrity Risk Program Management Office, perform periodic industry reviews of high-risk activities, and recommend program changes to ensure continuous program effectiveness

This is a hybrid position. Hybrid employees can alternate time between both remote and office. Employees in hybrid roles are expected to work from the office two days a week, Tuesdays and Wednesdays with a general guidepost of being in the office 50% of the time based on business needs.

Basic qualifications:

• 12 or more years of work experience with a Bachelor’s Degree or at least 10 years of work experience with an Advanced degree (e.g. Masters/MBA /JD/MD); or a minimum of 5 years of work experience with a PhD

Preferred qualifications:

• 15 or more years of experience with a Bachelor’s Degree or 12 years of experience with an Advanced Degree (e.g. Masters, MBA, JD, or MD); PhD with 9+ years of experience
• Strong Visa or Payments industry experience, with focus on Acquirer risk management (including merchant underwriting) and/or Financial industry experience with focus on client underwriting
• Senior experienced people leader with the ability to help build a highly motivated, cohesive and productive team in a matrix environment to deliver results for the company
• Self-starter who can communicate with a deep understanding of the company needs and enable people to move forward through complexity
• Relationship/Client management experience (internal and external)
• Knowledge or experience in audit or underwriting
• Proven ability to create strategic solutions and implement them to drive top line results
• Proven ability to implement strategic initiatives, processes and operational decisions
• A clear record of strategic thinking, sound judgment and superior problem solving in the area of trust and security
• Self-driven with strong leadership skills, with demonstrated excellence in leading diverse teams in a global environment
• Flexible and creative thinker with strong execution skills, generate out-of-the-box solutions, manage ambiguity, anticipate the impact of decisions/initiatives and able to move seamlessly from high level concepts to details.

U.S. APPLICANTS ONLY: The estimated salary range for a new hire into this position is 174,600 to 240,000 USD, which may include potential sales incentive payments (if applicable). Salary may vary depending on job-related factors which may include knowledge, skills, experience, and location. In addition, this position may be eligible for bonus and equity. Visa has a comprehensive benefits package for which this position may be eligible that includes Medical, Dental, Vision, 401 (k), FSA/HSA, Life Insurance, Paid Time Off, and Wellness Program.

Visa has adopted a COVID-19 vaccination policy to safeguard the health and well-being of our employees and visitors. As a condition of employment, all employees based in the U.S. are required to be fully vaccinated for COVID-19, unless a reasonable accommodation is approved or as otherwise required by law.

Work Hours: Varies upon the needs of the department.

Travel Requirements: This position requires travel 5-10% of the time.

Mental/Physical Requirements: This position will be performed in an office setting. The position will require the incumbent to sit and stand at a desk, communicate in person and by telephone, frequently operate standard office equipment, such as telephones and computers.

Visa is an EEO Employer. Qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, sexual orientation, gender identity, disability or protected veteran status. Visa will also consider for employment qualified applicants with criminal histories in a manner consistent with EEOC guidelines and applicable local law.

Visa will consider for employment qualified applicants with criminal histories in a manner consistent with applicable local law, including the requirements of Article 49 of the San Francisco Police Code.