At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead strategic initiatives and drive growth in the payments landscape.
- Company: Visa, a global leader in payments technology.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, diverse work environment, and opportunities for professional growth.
- Other info: Collaborative culture with a focus on innovation and continuous improvement.
- Why this job: Shape the future of payments and make a real impact on B2B growth.
- Qualifications: Experience in strategy and commercial operations with strong analytical skills.
The predicted salary is between 100000 - 150000 £ per year.
About Us Visa is a world leader in payments technology, facilitating transactions between consumers, merchants, financial institutions and government entities across more than 200 countries and territories, dedicated to uplifting everyone, everywhere by being the best way to pay and be paid.
Job Description What is it all about? Reporting to the Head of Commercial Development, Strategy and Commercial Operations, UK & Ireland, this role provides commercial leadership for market investment funds across the cluster. The Director is accountable for shaping and evolving the UK & Ireland strategy for investment funds, translating strategic priorities into tangible business plans, and orchestrating cross‑functional teams to drive rigorous execution against growth, revenue diversification and scorecard objectives for the relevant funds. The immediate priority for this role will be to unlocking our next wave of significant B2B growth by increasing card acceptance in the commercial payments ecosystem. The role operates with a high degree of autonomy and partners closely with the GCM and Ireland country manager, account teams and functional teams across UK & Ireland and Europe.
What We Expect Of You, Day By Day:
- Shape, translate and execute Innovation and Market Development funding and wider investment funds strategy at a UK & Ireland level through a cohesive, integrated and data‑led approach across the short, medium and long term to drive sustained revenue growth, client relevance and business performance.
- Partner with cluster, regional and functional stakeholders to develop commercial priorities and execution plans that align near‑term delivery with longer‑term growth ambitions.
- Orchestrate cross‑functional teams to deliver fund objectives and milestones to plan.
- Develop insight‑led strategic recommendations and thought leadership to help identify new opportunities, respond to market dynamics and support the continued growth of the UK & Ireland business.
- Work with account teams, functional teams and specialised sales teams to develop joined‑up client and cluster plans aligned to strategic priorities and commercial objectives.
- Work with Account teams and their clients to shape their own investments in complementary activities, amplifying the benefit those clients see from Visa investment funds.
- Provide ad‑hoc leadership support, operating as a trusted partner across the broader UK & Ireland leadership agenda.
Visa requires at least 3 days in office, expectations of these days will be confirmed by your Hiring Manager.
Qualifications What we’re after… We are looking for an individual who brings strategic depth, strong commercial instinct and a genuine curiosity about the payments landscape. As a candidate you should have:
- Significant experience in strategy, commercial operations, business planning, consulting or a related field, with a strong track record of leading strategic initiatives and influencing senior stakeholders.
- Strong academic background, preferably in business, economics, finance or a related field; an advanced degree may be advantageous.
- Outstanding analytical and problem‑solving capability, with the ability to assess complex business issues, structure hypotheses, generate insight and translate analysis into clear recommendations.
- Exceptional communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to synthesise complex issues into clear narratives and influence stakeholders up to executive level in a matrixed environment.
- Strong leadership presence and credibility, with the ability to guide cross‑functional work, challenge constructively and drive decision‑making with pace and accountability.
- Naturally curious and pragmatic, with the ability to identify emerging opportunities, ask insightful questions, navigate ambiguity and turn ideas into practical, commercially grounded actions.
- Experience in project and programme management or initiative orchestration, with the ability to drive outcomes through others.
- Highly self‑directed, resilient and comfortable operating with ambiguity, taking ownership for outcomes and driving initiatives from concept to delivery.
- Capability to become deeply knowledgeable about Visa’s business environment, the external market context and the strategic levers that drive client and cluster performance.
- Naturally curious, with a demonstrated ability to self‑initiate, lead and embed continuous improvement across commercial, analytical and governance processes.
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.
Director, Strategy & Planning employer: Visa
Visa is an exceptional employer that fosters a dynamic and inclusive work culture, encouraging innovation and collaboration among its employees. With a strong focus on professional development, Visa offers numerous growth opportunities and the chance to work on impactful projects within the payments technology sector. Located in the vibrant UK & Ireland market, employees benefit from a supportive environment that values diverse perspectives and drives meaningful change in the financial landscape.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Director, Strategy & Planning
✨Dive Into Corporate Strategy Communities
Get yourself involved in online communities or forums focused on corporate strategy. Places like LinkedIn groups or specific Slack channels can hook you up with industry insights, trends, and many potential job leads. Don't hesitate to share your thoughts or ask questions; it’ll boost your visibility!
✨Attend Industry Conferences and Events
Keep an eye out for corporate strategy conferences or networking events in your area (or online!). These gatherings are gold mines for meeting hiring managers and making impactful connections. Plus, having a few good conversations can lead to job referrals at companies like Visa!
✨Showcase Your Strategy Skills
Create content that showcases your knowledge of corporate strategy—think reports, blogs, or even video discussions. Sharing these on platforms like LinkedIn or Medium can demonstrate your expertise and make you stand out to employers looking for fresh talent.
✨Apply Directly Through Our Website
Don’t forget to apply for the Director, Strategy & Planning position at Visa via our website! This shows your genuine interest, and who knows, you might just land that interview in a matter of days. Keep your application focused on how you can add value to their strategy team.
We think you need these skills to ace Director, Strategy & Planning
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Us Your Strategic Thinking:When crafting your CV and cover letter, highlight your strategic analysis skills. Focus on past experiences where you've effectively assessed market trends or made impactful recommendations. Evidence-based achievements, like improving processes or contributing to significant projects, will help us see your potential for driving corporate strategy at Visa.
Tailor Your Narrative:Don’t just send us a generic application! Personalise your cover letter by connecting your experiences and aspirations to Visa’s mission and goals. We love seeing candidates who genuinely understand what we do; share how your vision aligns with ours and what you can bring to the table.
Highlight Relevant Academic Credentials:In your CV, make sure to showcase your academic background, especially if you have qualifications in business, economics, or analytics. We appreciate candidates who can back up their skills with relevant degrees or certifications, so don’t be shy about flaunting those achievements!
Utilise Professional Language:While we want you to be yourself, remember that corporate strategy roles demand a level of professionalism in communication. Use clear and concise language in your application materials, ensuring that your ideas come across as well-structured and sophisticated. It’s all about making a great impression right from the written application stage!
How to prepare for a job interview at Visa
✨Master the Numbers
Corporate strategy often involves data analysis and financial forecasting. Brush up on your quantitative skills, and be prepared to handle case studies or numerical problems during the interview. We might get questions about how to approach market trends or assess the performance of a hypothetical company — so practice these scenarios!
✨Know Your Frameworks
Familiarity with strategic frameworks like SWOT, PESTLE, or Porter’s Five Forces can set you apart. We should be ready to discuss how we’d apply these tools to real-world business situations — maybe even relating them to Visa. This shows we’re not just theory-happy but can articulate our practical application.
✨Engage in Strategic Conversations
In a full-time role like this, it’s crucial to show that we're engaged and informed about current trends in the industry. Keep up with major news and prepare to discuss how recent developments could impact strategic decisions at Visa. This will demonstrate our passion and proactive approach to the field.
✨Showcase Relevant Experience
Whether through internships or projects, we should highlight any experience that relates to corporate strategy. Have specific examples ready to talk about how we’ve contributed to strategic growth or improvements. It's about showcasing our unique journey and how it will bring value to Visa.
