Head of Government Relations -- Visa, Inc.

Apply: https://visainc.taleo.net/careersection/visa_ext_job_app/jobdetail.ftl?job=130484&src=JB-10260 Job Description - Head of Government Relations, U.S. (Washington, DC) (130484) Head of Government Relations, U.S. (Washington, DC) ( Visa Inc. is a global payments technology company that connects consumers, businesses, financial institutions and governments in more than 200 countries and territories, enabling them to use digital currency instead of cash and checks. Visa does not issue cards, extend credit or set rates and fees for consumers. Visa’s innovations enable its bank customers to offer consumers choices: Pay now with debit, ahead of time with prepaid or later with credit products. From the world’s major cities to remote areas without banks, people are increasingly relying on digital currency along with mobile technology to use their money anytime, make purchases online, transfer funds and access basic financial services. All of which makes their lives easier and helps grow economies. Behind the Visa brand are our talented employees who continuously raise the bar with innovative solutions and products that deliver the convenience and security of digital currency to more people all over the world. POSITION SUMMARY The Head of Government Relations, U.S., based in the Washington, D.C. Office will work closely with America’s Head, corporate headquarters and various global functional managers to enable public policy in alignment with corporate objectives and regulatory requirements. This professional will be a senior member of the Visa management team. He/She will be responsible for advancing the business interests of Visa in the advocacy arena and work closely with leadership, Legal and Corporate Relations teams in crafting the company’s strategy and execution of such, in Washington and throughout the United States. This senior leader will manage internal and external resources to enhance Visa’s profile, to achieve favorable legislative and regulatory outcomes at all levels of government and to support profitable growth across the U.S. He/She will liaise closely with functional colleagues around the world to refine and leverage best practices. This person will work with cross divisional business teams as a subject matter expert on regulatory issues and government relations. In addition to acting as a strategic advisor to Visa’s senior leadership, this individual will also be charged with building and maintaining close working relationships with a wide array of external stakeholders, including elected officials, regulators, customers, industry and trade associations, governmental agencies, business groups, and non-profit organizations. The Head of Government Relations, U.S. will work with a team of professionals in Washington, D.C. who have a history of strong, sustained performance. Thus, this person must possess superior leadership and management skills. This position reports directly to Visa’s Head of Government Relations, Americas and will be based in Washington, D.C. POSITION RESPONSIBILITIES Specific responsibilities include but are not limited to: • Leadership of federal and state Government Relations (GR) for the U.S. Advise and partner in the formulation of GR strategy to achieve agreed upon business objectives. Formulate clear and concerted statements of policy objectives. Develop implementation and communication plans as well as lead the execution and delivery of strategy. • Develop and lead implementation of short and long term objectives, including collaborating with corporate relations, legal, product and other global functions to raise and optimize Visa’s profile and reputation, through the delivery of coordinated communications and education targeted at key regulators, government officials, and other appropriate agencies. • Lead professionals on the GR team with discipline and integrity and have responsibility for their success and development. • Work with internal stakeholders to develop Visa’s public policy positions on issues ranging from interchange pricing, privacy, cyber-security, new product development, intellectual property, patents and other issues as they develop. • Responsibility for prioritizing public policy issues within the U.S. including escalation of matters, when needed to leadership and executive management. Working with leadership to determine when issues rise and fall in relative risk to the company. • Coordinate with internal compliance and risk with respect to governance issues related to political participation and activity in each of the regions. Work with cross divisional partners to ensure compliance and processes are in place and managed. • Advise on strategic and policy decisions such as the fostering and leveraging of potential business partnerships with national and sub-national government agencies in the delivery of social services, payment of taxes, and other potential government programs that may benefit from the application of electronic payments, while taking into account cross functional impacts. • Responsibility for helping to ensure that legislative and regulatory issues within the U.S. are managed effectively. • Advocate to avoid intrusive political or regulatory interventions that can hinder expansion of the payments industry in general, and Visa in particular. • Partner with the Americas government relations, legal and corporate relations teams to ensure consistency and emphasis of global priorities. • Oversight of and escalation to executives of engagement in Visa’s participation with major U.S. policy initiatives and events. • Support the growth of Visa’s business in the U.S. by managing regulatory risks. • Identify and develop Visa’s positions and lobbying strategies on priority legislative and policy issues. • Build relationships with key administration, legislative, and government leaders. Actively maintain relationships and transparent two-way communications. • Develop technical expertise on primary issues so as to be a key expert resource to public officials and associations. • Identify and evaluate proposed legislation and regulations; assess impact, and develop appropriate response and effective advocacy in close coordination with Visa senior management. • Support Visa in the public arena on matters requiring expert analysis on public policies and their impact on Visa and its industry. • In collaboration with corporate communications, represent Visa and serve as spokesperson before industry, media, government and other audiences. • Serve as a close and trusted counsel to Visa’s senior leadership team, providing both strategic advice and direct support on matters of legislative and regulatory interest, as well as informing senior management of emerging issues and developments. Qualifications • An undergraduate degree is required. In addition, a graduate degree in business, law, government or political science is highly advantageous. • Fifteen to twenty plus years of progressive experience, or equivalent combination of education and experience. • Experience in a corporate environment at a global public technology or financial services organization, or expertise in operating in a highly regulated and transformative industry will be a plus. • Track record of success in developing a strategic government relations approach for an organization with similar scope and regulatory complexity. • Prior experience in senior level U.S. public policy or regulatory position, with regular interaction with executive management. • Seasoned leader with extensive financial services or technology industry knowledge and functional expertise including setting strategic direction in a focused area of products, services and/or functions. • Ability to serve a unique function with highly specialized skills, expertise, and strategic capabilities. • Demonstrated management experience in policy arena with substantial responsibilities. • Excellent verbal, written and listening skills. Ability to communicate complex issues clearly and concisely. • Ability to grasp complex issues. Proven manager of public policy process in a complex environment. • Sophisticated analyst of political and policy trends. • In-depth understanding of the legislative and regulatory process and the roles and decision-making processes of key governmental and regulatory entities. • The ability to persuasively present complex concepts and programs at the highest levels of government and business. Commands the respect of and able to easily work with “both sides of the aisle.” • Proven ability to lead a diverse team of professionals and manage staff in analyzing, planning, developing, and implementing major projects and initiatives. • Has demonstrated high emotional and cultural IQ in working effectively across a global corporate environment. • Demonstrated ability to build and maintain strong relationships and consensus with a variety of constituencies both inside and outside the organization. • Willingness and ability to travel.