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.

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 seasoned, strategic, and commercially driven Senior Director to lead our Issuer Processor Partnerships function in North America. This role will own and evolve Visa’s relationships with the region’s most critical issuer processors, driving joint growth, mitigating ecosystem risk, and accelerating adoption of Visa’s priority capabilities.

This leader will manage a team of 4 Directors/Account Executives and operate as a key member of the NA EMF leadership team, responsible for shaping strategy, influencing senior partner executives, and delivering against Visa’s revenue, network, and product objectives.

The role builds on the foundation of the prior leadership position and expands scope to include team leadership, portfolio strategy, and enterprise-level partner engagement.

Key Responsibilities

Strategic Leadership & Portfolio Ownership

- Define and lead Visa’s North America issuer processor partnership strategy, aligned to broader EMF, Issuing, and Network priorities
- Own portfolio-level planning across key processor partners (e.g., Fiserv, FIS, TSYS/GPN, Jack Henry)
- Develop and execute multi-year partnership roadmaps tied to revenue growth, volume expansion, and product adoption
- Shape Visa’s positioning in a highly concentrated processor market, where a small number of players drive the majority of issuing activity

Team Leadership & Talent Development
- Lead, coach, and develop a team of 4 partnership leaders covering strategic processor accounts
- Drive a high-performance culture focused on execution, accountability, and commercial impact
- Establish clear goals, KPIs, and development plans aligned to AOP and long-term strategy
- Partner closely with cross-functional leaders to align resources and priorities





Executive Relationship Management
- Serve as a senior executive sponsor for Visa’s largest issuer processor partnerships
- Build and deepen C-suite relationships across processor organizations
- Navigate complex commercial and strategic discussions, including pricing, incentives, and long-term agreements
- Act as a trusted advisor to partners on industry trends, regulatory dynamics, and digital transformation

Commercial Growth & Business Development
- Drive revenue growth, Visa volume expansion, and VAS adoption across processor-enabled issuers
- Identify and execute joint opportunities across:
- Issuing & processing modernization (e.g., cloud, next-gen cores)
- Value-Added Services (risk, data, disputes, tokenization)
- Money movement & new flows
- Leverage processors as distribution channels and resellers to extend Visa’s reach to long-tail issuers

Cross-Functional Leadership & Execution
- Partner across Product, Technology, Finance, Legal, and Regional Sales to:
- Structure and negotiate complex agreements
- Deliver partner integrations and go-to-market launches
- Resolve escalations and execution risks
- Lead coordinated account planning and execution against Visa’s strategic priorities

Ecosystem Risk Management & Governance
- Proactively manage risks associated with processor concentration, competitive dynamics, and platform shifts
- Develop and execute partner engagement strategies in response to industry disruption (e.g., current entrants, pricing pressure, regulatory scrutiny)
- Ensure alignment with Visa governance, antitrust considerations, and partnership principles

Visa requires at least 3 days in office, expectations of these days will be confirmed by your Hiring Manager.

Qualifications

Basic Qualifications

- 12 or more years of work experience with a Bachelor’s Degree or at least 10 years of work experience with an Advanced degree (e.g. Masters/MBA /JD/MD),



or a minimum of 5 years of work experience with a PhD

Preferred Qualifications

- 15 or more years of experience with a Bachelor’s Degree or 12 years of experience with an Advanced Degree (e.g. Masters, MBA, JD, or MD), PhD with 9+ years of experience
- 12+ years of experience in payments, financial services, or fintech
- 5+ years of leadership experience managing senior individual contributors or account leaders
- Proven track record in strategic partnerships, business development, or enterprise sales

Deep expertise in:
- Issuer processing / core banking platforms
- Payments ecosystem (processors, enablers, fintechs)
- Experience managing large, complex strategic accounts and negotiating enterprise agreements
- Strong commercial acumen with ability to drive revenue growth and influence P&L; outcomes
- Demonstrated ability to lead cross-functional initiatives and influence senior stakeholders
- Executive presence with strong communication and relationship management skills

Leadership Profile
- Strategic thinker with the ability to translate market dynamics into actionable plans
- Strong operator who balances strategy with execution discipline
- Collaborative leader who can influence without authority across a highly matrixed organization
- High accountability mindset with a bias toward results and continuous improvement

Why This Role Matters
- Issuer processors sit at the center of Visa’s issuing ecosystem, influencing client decisions, product adoption, and network economics. This role is critical to:
- Protecting and growing Visa’s core issuing business
- Expanding distribution of next-generation products
- Navigating increasing competition and ecosystem disruption

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.

Visa welcome and encourages application from persons with disabilities. Accommodations are available on request for candidates taking part in all aspects of the selection process.

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📌 Sr. Director, Account Executive (Toronto)
🏢 210 Visa Canada
📍 Toronto