Director, Business Planning & Operations

Visa•San Francisco, CA

31d•$178,300 - $285,600•Hybrid

About The Position

The Director of Strategy and Ops will lead the development of forward-looking Marketing strategy and narrative in support of 2030 Strategy based on themes. Visa is seeking a highly strategic and influential leader to help shape the future of Marketing across the U.S. and Canada. Reporting to the Senior Director of Marketing Strategy, Planning & Operations, this role serves as a trusted advisor to the North America Chief Marketing Officer (CMO) and Marketing Leadership Team, helping define the vision, priorities, and strategic narrative that will drive Visa's growth through 2030 and beyond. This is a unique opportunity for an exceptional strategist who thrives at the intersection of business strategy, executive influence, market intelligence, and organizational transformation. The successful candidate will partner across Marketing, Product, Sales, Strategy, and regional and global teams to identify emerging opportunities, translate insights into action, and ensure Marketing remains a critical driver of Visa's business growth. The Director will lead high-impact strategic initiatives, influence executive decision-making, and develop compelling narratives that shape how Visa competes, innovates, and grows in a rapidly evolving payments and commerce ecosystem. This individual will serve as a force multiplier across the organization, building the frameworks, operating rhythms, and strategic insights that enable Marketing to deliver outsized business impact.

Requirements

10 or more years of work experience with a Bachelor’s Degree or at least 8 years of work experience with an Advanced Degree (e.g. Masters/ MBA/JD/MD) or at least 3 years of work experience with a PhD
Demonstrated success advising senior executives and influencing business decisions at the Director, VP, or C-suite level.
Exceptional executive presence, communication, and stakeholder management skills, with the ability to influence across highly matrixed organizations.
Proven ability to lead ambiguity, drive alignment across diverse stakeholders, and translate strategy into execution.
Strong executive storytelling capabilities with experience creating presentations and communications for senior leadership audiences.
Experience leading enterprise-wide strategic initiatives involving multiple business functions and competing priorities.
Ability to synthesize large volumes of information into clear business insights and strategic recommendations.
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
Experience in and/or significant exposure to the payments industry preferred
10+ years of experience in product operations, program management, management consulting, or business operations, ideally supporting Product teams in a
Experience in payments, financial services, technology, or other highly regulated industries is a plus.

Responsibilities

Serve as a strategic thought partner to the North America CMO and Marketing Leadership Team, helping shape long-term growth priorities and strategic investments.
Develop and refine Visa's North America Marketing strategy, ensuring alignment with Visa's broader business objectives and 2030 growth ambitions.
Lead analyses and strategic discussions on critical business issues including growth opportunities, competitive dynamics, consumer behavior shifts, brand strength, and emerging market trends.
Translate complex market, consumer, and commercial insights into clear recommendations that influence executive decision-making.
Build compelling, executive-level narratives that communicate Visa's marketing vision, priorities, performance, and growth opportunities.
Develop board-ready and executive-ready presentations, strategic frameworks, and decision support materials for senior leadership forums.
Distill complex information into concise, actionable insights that enable informed business decisions.
Lead high-profile, cross-functional strategic initiatives that advance Visa's business and marketing objectives.
Drive strategic planning processes, operating reviews, and executive forums that align leaders around shared priorities and measurable outcomes.
Partner with Product, Sales, Finance, and Strategy teams to identify opportunities to accelerate growth and improve organizational effectiveness.
Design and scale operating frameworks, governance models, and strategic planning processes that improve execution and accountability across Marketing.
Establish and manage key performance metrics and OKRs tied to strategic priorities.
Champion innovation, including the responsible adoption of AI capabilities that enhance organizational productivity and decision-making.