VP, Head of Product, SSA at Visa

Job Description

• To provide thought leadership and strategic intent for the development and delivery of solutions that our clients need in the market place. It is a fully integrated team that includes regional innovation & design, consumer payments & solutions, regional solutions architecture and other local product functions. Core to the mission of this organization is driving revenue, developing the regional product strategy, providing the thought leadership for the product roadmap and designing the long-term design for the growth of our products.
• Based in SSA and reporting to the CEMEA Solutions SVP, this individual will lead the Regional team in SSA and have a dual reporting relationship to the Regional GCM and will be part of the CEMEA Product Leadership Team. Leading a team of product experts through effective people management and development programs that are in accordance with Visa’s Leadership Principles is an important purpose of this role.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

• Develop, deliver and activate strategies and product plans that drive Visa’s competitive advantage and revenue growth agenda for products in SSA.
• Lead category wide initiatives with key stakeholders across functional teams to launch initiatives that are quantifiable and aligned with the corporate and customer’s strategic objectives for products
• Manage planning, forecasting and financial reporting
• Design compelling, differentiated and relevant product plans that leverage Visa’s system, IP, brand/ marketing programs and commercial assets to positively influence revenue growth in SSA.
• Lead a team of innovative and engaged individuals focused on delivering best in class products to address preference and anticipated needs of local customer as well as all stakeholders across the geography.
• Effectively manage a team that grows and guides the evolution of products to meet and exceed the needs of all stakeholders across the geography
• Drive performance management, career development, recruitment, succession planning and talent assessment for the team
• Understand economic implications of Visa business strategy and manage budget, investment and product profitability to meet business objectives
• Exhibit leadership behaviors in respect of being an advocate of Visa’s products and initiatives in the industry, including preparation and delivery for forums, conferences and customer events

The successful candidate will possess the following competencies:

• Results Orientation: This will be demonstrated by the success achieved in managing or leading a product management team towards building substantially differentiated and innovative products and services.  S/he will have also shown success as a pioneer for the products that resulted in increasing levels of customer adoption.
• Collaboration and Influencing: Given that this role is a critical leadership role, the successful candidate will have demonstrated an outstanding ability to influence leaders in a global matrixed organization. S/he will ensure alignment on the priorities of the sub-regional team and facilitate a proactive dialogue with the company’s leadership team on the possibilities and constraints of the business.
• Strategic Orientation: This will be demonstrated by a strong track record of developing and driving product strategy combined with monitoring strategic trends that impact the payments product industry. The successful candidate will have also demonstrated strong skills in determining the implications of these trends on the customer experience and behaviours and align the company’s roadmap accordingly. S/he must also know how to create and manage a clear and organized solution enablement process, and ensure that the entire company is aligned to that process.
• Team Leadership: The successful candidate will have shown the ability to lead a high performing product management team, where individuals take initiative and drive themselves beyond their comfort zone. S/he will have demonstrated a consistent ability to attract, assess, select, develop, motivate and retain the best talent. Specifically s/he also needs to demonstrate the ability to upgrade talent where required.

The role will be based in sub-regional office in Johannesburg. 

Qualifications

•  Minimum 15 years experience in retail bank/consumer cards marketing businesses coupled with at least 10 years experience in managing transactional banking services, cards business in a financial institution, especially in a multinational role
•  Business degree/MBA

Technical

•  Advanced understanding of banking and payment card system and processes
•  Sound knowledge of marketing principles, product management and retail banking business acumen

Business

•  Strong analytical, quantitative, commercial, project management and interpersonal skills
•  Excellent written, verbal and presentation skills
•  Disciplined and tolerant of ambiguity, with the maturity and capability to interact and influence across multiple organizational levels internal and external to Visa.
•  Negotiation skills with proven track record of achieving results.
•  P&L experience and focus on delivering strong financial results for stakeholders

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.