VP, Head of MS&A, UK&I

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, Visa is the best way to pay and be paid. At Visa, you’ll have the opportunity to create impact at scale—tackling meaningful challenges, growing your skills, and seeing your contributions impact lives around the world. Join Visa and do work that matters—to you, to your community, and to the world.

Role Overview

Visa is searching for a Regional Leader for Merchant & Acquiring supporting partners for the UK & Ireland markets. As a key member of the UK & Ireland leadership team, you will bring strategic and commercial leadership, compelling vision and creativity to expanding acceptance, growing usage of Visa solutions, and partnering with merchants and acquirers to grow purchase volume and revenue in UK & Ireland. This role will lead the Merchant and Acquiring team spanning the UK & Ireland to define, own and drive high‑profile, cross‑functional strategies and plans, delivering sustainable revenue growth. At a time of significant industry change, merchants and acquirers need Visa’s support to be ready for the next wave of commerce driven by innovations including Agentic Commerce. This role will spearhead the charge to develop forward‑thinking commercial strategies and partnerships, create end‑to‑end solution propositions, and help drive Visa’s regulatory and ecosystem messaging and strategies for merchants. Importantly, this role will also lead Visa’s thematic priorities and directly lead sales of Visa products and services.

Specific Responsibilities

• Own merchant and acquirers strategy and multi‑year plan: Define 1‑3 year strategy, develop strong merchant and acquirer client relationships in UK/I; articulate a comprehensive view of the UK/I merchant and acquiring landscape; collaborate across functions to align with Visa’s core priorities and external trends.
• Drive positive merchant and acquirer outcomes: Establish fluency in all Visa merchant‑facing solutions; consultatively identify and prioritise merchant and acquirer needs; craft customized solutions that drive commercial metrics and increase merchant satisfaction.
• Optimize merchant investments: Identify opportunities that benefit both merchants and Visa; develop business cases and forecasts; advocate for funding and deploy resources to address objectives; track performance and use learnings to inform future investment.
• Lead sales approach for value‑added services and Visa Direct outcomes: Define strategy, investment needs, and sales pipeline for services such as data, risk products, and instalments; partner with Visa Direct resources; build a foundation for stand‑alone and integrated sales efforts with 1‑3 year revenue goals.
• Drive Visa Acceptance Solutions sales for UK/I: Address merchant, marketplace and Acquirer/PSP needs ranging from acceptance, authentication to fraud and dispute management.
• Build and develop merchant & acquiring team: Recruit, train, and lead a high‑performing team; prioritize work, resolve roadblocks, navigate internal processes; motivate and inspire the team with sales management techniques and analytics.
• Establish strong internal partnerships: Collaborate with functions across Visa to define responsibilities for merchant and acquirer outcomes, ensuring accountability and follow‑through.
• Advise on regulatory aspects: Drive strategic input into regulatory and government relations strategies; provide an integrated perspective reflecting business, ecosystem trends, and regulatory requirements.

This is a hybrid position. Expectation of days in office will be confirmed by your hiring manager.

Qualifications

Basic Qualifications

• 12 years of relevant work experience with a Bachelor's Degree or 10 years of relevant work experience with an Advanced degree (e.g., Masters/MBA/JD/MD) or 8 years relevant work experience with a PhD.

Preferred Qualifications

• 20+ years business experience with significant acquiring background, a proven track record of managing client accounts, leading sales, driving revenue expansion, and leading high‑performing, fast‑paced teams.
• Well versed in building relationships internally and externally with senior management in large organisations, fintechs, startups, and new payment entrants.
• Sales leadership experience with the ability to manage and prioritise a sales pipeline and direct sales, account management, and business development efforts.
• Ability to navigate a complex commercial landscape and matrix environment; credible operator at all levels of the organisation.
• Proven track record of leading sales and account management teams for impactful outcomes.
• Superior negotiation and commercial contracting experience establishing business agreements that enhance existing and develop new partnerships and revenue streams.
• Strategic thought leadership skills and rigorous analytical mindset; disciplined approach to data‑driven decision making.
• Exceptional written and verbal communication skills.
• Knowledge and experience with platform or technical sales and consulting projects is an advantage.
• Experience with global payment systems and passion for fintech and payments.

Personal Characteristics

• A hands‑on approach with real passion and high energy; agile and comfortable adapting to different environments.
• Courageous innovation: creative and resourceful in overcoming barriers and unexpected roadblocks.
• An authentic leader who engenders an inclusive environment, enabling the business to reach its ambitious goals.
• Diversity of thought: continually seeks new perspectives and feedback, taking an inclusive approach.
• High personal standards of ethics and integrity towards employees, stakeholders, and customers.
• High learning‑agility with a real interest in developing relationships with progressive businesses; technology / digital‑first approach.
• Entrepreneurial and comfortable with ambiguous and change‑led environments; self‑confident with an authentic style that champions change.
• Eager to seek a challenge, expand frontiers, and bring a visionary approach—setting and meeting a high bar of goals and principles.
• Servant leadership mentality: deeply committed to serving and listening to others, building strong relationships, and enabling collaboration through empathy and authenticity.
• Committed to building a community through Visa Leadership Principles.

Additional Information

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.