Director, Strategy & Operations – VAS Product Development (Hybrid in Bellevue,WA or Foster City, CA)

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.

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.

Visa is seeking a seasoned and highly motivated professional to join the Strategy & Operations function within Value-Added Services (VAS) Product Development (PD). In this high-impact individual contributor (IC) role, you will serve as a trusted advisor to engineering leadership, driving strategic planning, operational excellence, and cross-functional execution to scale and evolve our engineering organization.

This role is ideal for someone who thrives at the intersection of business strategy, technical execution, and organizational design. You will lead critical initiatives, partner with senior leaders, and influence decision-making across a fast-paced, innovative tech environment.

VAS Product Development is focused on diversifying Visa’s revenue by building differentiated products and delivering value-added solutions across multiple payment rails. Our strategy is to increase client value by solving complex, emerging needs through innovative offerings.

This role reports to the Senior Director, VAS Product Development and partners closely with the SVP of VAS PD and the broader leadership team. You will help define the strategy and translate it into actionable operating plans while enabling performance measurement across the organization.

Key Responsibilities

Strategic Planning & Prioritization

• Drive the overall VAS PD strategy in partnership with the SVP and leadership team.
• Lead development of team goals, strategic initiatives, and Objectives & Key Results (OKRs).
• Monitor market trends and identify whitespace opportunities for product and organizational growth.
• Ensure alignment between OKRs and strategic direction, build infrastructure to measure and report outcomes.

Stakeholder Management & Executive Communications

• Act as liaison between the SVP, broader VAS PD org, and key stakeholders.
• Own business planning activities including monthly, quarterly, and annual reviews.
• Collaborate with Product teams to monitor and report on project portfolio performance.
• Deliver insights and recommendations to senior leadership.
• Build strong partnerships with GTM, field teams, and technology stakeholders.
• Lead creation of executive presentations, including materials for Technology Executive forums, Product Delivery Councils, and Quarterly Business Reviews (QBRs).

Budget & Financial Management

• Manage the multi-million-dollar VAS PD annual planning cycle in partnership with Finance.
• Track budget against targets and ensure investments are supported by ROI metrics.

Special Projects

• Analyze employee survey insights and lead programs to enhance organizational health.
• Design and manage people-related programs including onboarding, employee recognition, and other engagement initiatives.

Personal Characteristics

• Hands-on approach with high energy and a passion for impact.
• Agile and adaptable, thrives in fast-moving environments.
• Courageously innovative and resourceful in overcoming challenges.
• Inclusive and authentic leader with a collaborative, community-building mindset.
• High personal integrity and ethical standards in all interactions.
• Learns quickly and engages meaningfully with both technical and business stakeholders.
• Entrepreneurial, visionary, and comfortable with ambiguity.
• Embraces servant leadership, builds strong relationships through empathy and authenticity.
• Embodies Visa’s Leadership Principles:

  Lead Courageously

  Obsess About Customers

  Collaborate as One Visa

  Execute with Excellence

This is a hybrid position that could be based in Bellevue, WA. or Foster City, CA.. Expectation of days in office will be confirmed by your Hiring Manager.

Note: This role does not offer relocation or immigration support now or in the future. 

Basic Qualifications:

• 10+ years of relevant work experience with a Bachelor’s Degree or at least 7 years of work experience with an Advanced degree (e.g. Masters, MBA, JD, MD) or 4 years of work experience with a PhD, OR 13+ years of relevant work experience.

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
• Proven ability to align product development goals with business OKRs, and to define strategies and governance frameworks to meet these goals.
• Experience collaborating with executive leaders across functions (especially Engineering & Product Management) to drive alignment and deliver on shared objectives.
• 5-8 years of experience driving program management and business operations. Expertise in managing large portfolios of programs, covering strategy, execution, and governance, to ensure delivery within target timelines, costs, and scopes.
• Skilled in building and evolving operating systems for engineering organizations to scale effectively. Capable of quickly learning and adapting systems and processes for a dynamic, rapidly growing environment.
• Demonstrated experience in learning new technologies and/or new domains and/or new functions. Experience using Gen AI and driving Gen AI initiatives for productivity improvements and innovation.
• Demonstrated experience in cross-functional, global teams of program managers and technical product managers across multiple locations.
• Proven ability to foster a team culture of ownership (founder mindset), accountability, innovation, strategic thinking, data-driven approach to problem solving, learning, strong execution, proactiveness, adaptability and continuous improvement.
• Experience creating materials, presentations, and reports for C-level executives. Ability to understand problems from multiple perspectives and tailor communications for varied stakeholders at different organizational levels. Excellent verbal, written, and presentation skills.
• Extensive experience in managing business operations, including workforce planning, project financials, budgeting, program cost accounting, and sourcing practices. Proven leadership in annual planning for complex, cross-functional programs.
• Deep collaboration, analytical and problem-solving skills with demonstrated ability to effectively communicate technical and business issues and solutions at all organizational levels.
• Skilled in conflict management and negotiation to achieve project goals and build trust with stakeholders.
• Proficient in Microsoft Office tools (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Project, SharePoint, Copilot) and experienced with Jira Align, Jira, Clarity, and Wiki.
• Strong process orientation with demonstrated knowledge of program and project management methodologies and best practices. Proficient in software and product development lifecycles (SDLC, PDLC), agile, scrum, and lean principles. Proven ability to drive operational efficiencies through automation and process redesign.
• Experience in the payments network is a plus. Knowledge of Visa's financial practices and technology processes is advantageous but not required.

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 $153,600.00 to $247,600.00 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.