Senior Director, Corporate Communications (Europe) in London

We are looking for a senior communications leader to drive Visa’s corporate media, external relations, and reputation strategy across Europe. In this role, you will lead integrated communications programmes that support business priorities and strengthen Visa’s reputation in Europe, working in close partnership with Visa’s Government Affairs, Risk and Legal teams. This role requires strong judgement in high-profile situations, the ability to operate across multiple European markets at pace, and a proven track record of advising senior leaders. You are equally comfortable shaping strategy and executing it, and translating complex issues into clear, compelling and credible external communications. You are able to anticipate issues, see around corners and proactively position the organisation to manage risk and opportunity. This position will be based in London and will report to the SVP, Corporate Communications Europe.

Corporate Media & Communications

• Lead corporate media strategy across Europe, positioning Visa across key topics such as payments, digital commerce and economic growth.
• Design and deliver integrated campaigns across earned, owned and digital channels.
• Develop clear, insight-led narratives on complex issues, including regulation and industry change.
• Lead communications for major announcements, partnerships and milestones.
• Build relationships with top-tier European media.
• Prepare and advise senior executives for media engagement.
• Draft and oversee outputs ranging from executive briefings and issue documents to opinion pieces and stakeholder communications.

Issues Management & Reputation

• Serve as the primary point of contact for issues management and crisis communications across Europe.
• Provide counsel to leadership on reputational risk and emerging issues.
• Establish monitoring and response approaches to identify and manage reputational risk across markets.
• Maintain close alignment with Legal, Government Affairs and global teams.

External Relations & Public Affairs Alignment

• Partner with Government Affairs to support policy and regulatory priorities.
• Translate regulatory developments into clear external communications.
• Support executive positioning and thought leadership activity.
• Build relationships with relevant industry and stakeholder organisations, including payments and financial services bodies.

Leadership & Delivery

• Act as a trusted communications partner to European leadership.
• Lead and develop a high-performing team.
• Influence across a matrixed organisation.
• Lead agency teams and manage budgets in support of multiple programmes and priorities.
• Use data and insight to shape strategy, inform planning and measure impact.

Visa requires at least 3 days in office, expectations of these days will be confirmed by your Hiring Manager.

Qualifications

• Extensive experience in corporate communications, public affairs and issues management.
• Experience in payments, financial services, technology or other regulated industries.
• Strong track record advising senior executives in high-stakes situations.
• Proven ability to lead communications across multiple markets.
• Excellent writing and communication skills.
• Ability to operate at pace, manage multiple priorities and work effectively in ambiguous, fast-moving environments.
• Strong leadership, team management and stakeholder management capability.
• Sound judgement and calm under pressure.