Director, Leadership Communications

Visa•San Francisco, CA

7h•Hybrid

About The Position

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. 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. Progress starts with you. Visa is seeking a Director of Leadership Communications to help elevate and scale how we tell our story—externally and internally—through the voices of our most senior leaders. This role sits at the center of strategy, storytelling, and execution, supporting our CEO and Group President with their communications plans and approach. The ideal candidate is a seasoned, versatile communicator who is fluent across multiple communications disciplines, moving seamlessly across media, executive messaging, employee communications, social, events, and presentations, while anchoring everything in clear business understanding and narrative coherence. As Director of Leadership Communications, you will work closely with the VP of Leadership Communications to: Shape and execute leadership communications across both external and internal channels, ensuring clarity, consistency, and impact. Help translate business strategy, performance, and priorities into compelling, plainspoken stories that resonate with employees, media, clients, and partners. Serve as a trusted counselor—bringing sharp point of view, strong judgment, and an operator’s mindset. This role requires a strong grasp of Visa’s business model, growth priorities, and operating rhythms. Candidates with experience in strategy, operations, consulting, or business roles—alongside deep communications expertise—will be especially well-positioned to succeed.

Requirements

Equal parts strategist, storyteller, and doer.
Comfortable owning ambiguity, managing multiple priorities, and moving fast—without sacrificing quality or judgment.
Bring executive presence, strong instincts, and a collaborative approach.
Broad experience across multiple communications disciplines, including executive communications, media and PR, internal communications, social media, events, and presentation development.
A deep appreciation for business context, with the ability to connect communications to enterprise strategy and outcomes.
Comfort operating as a generalist with range, not a single-discipline specialist.
Exceptional writing, editing, and verbal communication skills, with a sharp eye for tone, audience, and clarity.
Ability to influence through relationships, insight, and credibility.
High integrity, sound judgment, and discretion when handling sensitive and confidential information.
10 or more years of work experience with a Bachelor’s Degree
at least 8 years of work experience with an Advanced Degree (e.g. Masters/ MBA/JD/MD)
at least 3 years of work experience with a PhD

Nice To Haves

12 or more years of work experience with a Bachelor’s Degree
8-10 years of experience with an Advanced Degree (e.g. Masters, MBA, JD, MD)
6+ years of work experience with a PhD
12 or more years of relevant experience.
Experience across both internal and external communications; agency and in-house mix strongly preferred.
Strong understanding of complex, matrixed organizations; fintech, payments, technology, or financial services experience a plus.
Proven ability to lead by influence and operate effectively in highly cross-functional environments.
Media experience and strong understanding of modern executive presence across earned and owned channels, including social.
Highly organized, adaptable, and comfortable in fast-paced environments with shifting priorities.
Proactive, solutions-oriented, and comfortable managing up.

Responsibilities

Develop integrated communication strategies that span external media, internal channels, social platforms, events, and speaking opportunities.
Support both day-to-day leadership communications and high-visibility moments, including major announcements, organizational changes, enterprise initiatives, and global events.
Translate complex business, technology, and market dynamics into clear, engaging, and human storytelling.
Produce a wide range of executive-ready materials, including talking points, speeches, presentations, employee messages, op-eds, blog posts, interview briefs, social content, and FAQs.
Collaborate closely across the global and regional communications teams to ensure alignment and amplification.
Identify opportunities to connect executive narratives to broader trends and Visa-wide priorities, elevating impact and relevance.
Bring a digital- and audience-first mindset, helping leaders engage authentically across platforms.
Operate with a market support lens, informing and supporting colleagues across regions.
Track outcomes and impact, helping demonstrate the value and effectiveness of leadership communications.