Director, Strategic Programs and Innovation

Visa is a world leader in payments and technology, with over 259 billion payments transactions flowing safely between consumers, merchants, financial institutions, and government entities in 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 while driven by a common purpose – to uplift everyone, everywhere by being the best way to pay and be paid.

Make an impact with a purpose-driven industry leader. Join us today and experience Life at Visa.

The Director of Strategic Programs & Initiatives will serve as a strategic partner to the Sr. Director of Marketing Strategy & Innovation, leading the research, benchmarking, and strategic design work that informs Visa's marketing operational strategy. This role is ideal for a strategic thinker who excels at answering complex who, what, and why questions through comprehensive research and stakeholder engagement. Working in lock step with the Sr. Director of Marketing Strategy & Innovation, this leader will manage strategic workstreams for transformational initiatives while maintaining continuous feedback loops with regional and functional stakeholders.

Primary Responsibilities:

Lead Strategic Research & Competitive Intelligence

• Conduct comprehensive research, competitive benchmarking, and market analysis to identify best-in-class practices across AI transformation, operating models, agency ecosystems, learning & development, and organizational culture
• Perform deep stakeholder discovery through interviews, surveys, and workshops to understand challenges, opportunities, and priorities across regions and functions
• Conduct ongoing environmental scanning to identify competitive threats, emerging trends, and strategic opportunities
• Synthesize complex market intelligence into actionable insights and strategic recommendations

Manage Strategic Workstreams for Transformational Initiatives

• Lead strategic design and planning for key initiatives across the Five Ps (People, Practices, Processes, Partners, Products)
• Facilitate cross-functional collaboration to gather inputs, build alignment, and refine strategic recommendations
• Develop strategic frameworks and models that address critical questions about AI integration, operating model design, agency optimization, and organizational culture
• Support development of strategic vision for increasing Marketing's AI Power Users and improving EES scores across multiple dimensions

Develop Executive Communications & Strategic Narratives:

• Translate complex strategic insights into compelling narratives and executive presentations
• Create board-level materials that communicate strategic recommendations and business cases
• Develop stakeholder engagement plans and communication strategies for major initiatives
• Present strategic findings and recommendations to Marketing Leadership Team and cross-functional stakeholders

Monitor Strategic Performance & Maintain Feedback Loops

• Define and monitor strategic KPIs that track progress toward operational excellence
• Conduct post-implementation reviews to capture learnings and inform future strategy
• Maintain continuous feedback loops with regional and functional stakeholders to ensure strategic recommendations reflect real-world implementation insights
• Identify strategic course corrections based on performance data and stakeholder feedback

Partner Across the Dual-Track Operating Model

• Partner with the Manager of Operations Excellence to ensure smooth handoff of strategic initiatives into execution planning and implementation
• Ensure strategic recommendations account for operational realities, resource constraints, and change management considerations
• Collaborate on integrated planning that connects strategic vision with operational delivery

This is a hybrid position. Expectation of days in the office will be confirmed by your Hiring Manager. 

Basic Qualifications:

• 10 or more years of work experience with a Bachelor’s Degree or at least 8 years of work experience with an Advanced Degree (e.g. Masters/ MBA/JD/MD) or at least 3 years of work experience with a PhD

Preferred Qualifications:

• 12 or more years of work experience with a Bachelor’s Degree or 8-10 years of experience with an Advanced Degree (e.g. Masters, MBA, JD, MD) or 6+ years of work experience with a PhD
• 10+ years of progressive experience in strategy consulting, marketing operations, organizational transformation, or strategic planning roles at Fortune 500 companies or top-tier consulting firms
• 5+ years of experience conducting strategic research, competitive intelligence, and market analysis that informed C-suite decision-making
• Bachelors degree required
• MBA or advanced degree (Masters in Strategy, Management, Marketing, Business Analytics, or related field) strongly preferred
• Proven track record leading complex, cross-functional strategic initiatives in matrixed, global organizations with multiple stakeholders
• Direct experience developing strategic frameworks, operating models, and organizational designs for marketing or operations functions
• Demonstrated expertise in stakeholder discovery and engagement, including executive interviews, surveys, and workshop facilitation across multiple regions and business units
• Strategic & Analytical Capabilities
• Strategic Research Excellence
• Synthesis & Insight Generation
• Framework Development
• Data-Driven Analysis
• Executive Communication & Influence
• C-Suite Communication
• Storytelling
• Stakeholder Engagement
• Presentation Excellence
• Collaboration & Partnership
• Cross-Functional Leadership
• Federated Model Navigation
• Dual-Track Partnership
• Stakeholder Management
• Domain Expertise
• Marketing Operations Knowledge
• AI & Technology Transformation
• Change Management
• Industry Trends
• Advanced Capabilities
• Program Management Excellence
• Performance Measurement
• Research Methodologies
• Scenario Planning

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.

U.S. APPLICANTS ONLY: The estimated salary range for a new hire into this position is 178,300.00 to 258,800.00 USD per year, 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.