Company Description Visa is a world leader in digital payments, facilitating more than 215 billion payments transactions between consumers, merchants, financial institutions and government entities across more than 200 countries and territories each year. Our mission is to connect the world through the most innovative, convenient, reliable and secure payments network, enabling individuals, businesses and economies to thrive.

　　When you join Visa, you join a culture of purpose and belonging – where your growth is priority, your identity is embraced, and the work you do matters. We believe that economies that include everyone everywhere, uplift everyone everywhere. Your work will have a direct impact on billions of people around the world – helping unlock financial access to enable the future of money movement.

　　Join Visa: A Network Working for Everyone.

　　Job Description Director, Central America

　　 Government Engagement

　　GROUP OVERVIEW

　　Government engagement drives our business by shaping the policy and regulatory environment to accelerate digital payments – ensuring Visa is the best way to pay and be paid for everyone, everywhere. We excel with clients, governments, and partners to enable everyone to participate fully in the digital economy, delivering economic growth, innovation, and positive social impact. We are diverse and inclusive – committed to being a best in class global government engagement team.

　　Central America’s government engagement team supports the ongoing growth of the company’s business by proactively engaging with a wide range of stakeholders to promote Visa’s capabilities and contributions to governments and economic growth, protect the business through monitoring and shaping the policy environment to minimize regulatory risk, and partner with governments on their digital payments priorities including support on government-as client opportunities.

　　POSITION SUMMARY 

　　The executive will report to the head of government engagement for Mexico & CARCAM and work closely with a wide range of in-country and regional functional teams. The position requires excellent levels of communication and presentation skills to interact with national and sub-national government officials, analytical capabilities for regulatory issues and developed skills coordinating multi-disciplinary groups to lead projects. It is highly preferred that the executive has experience working on financial sector issues, from either the public or the private sector, within the Central American region. The main objectives of the position are to ensure the Central American countries´ public policy priorities are aligned with industry and corporate objectives and to increase national and sub-national government’s participation in digital payments to drive business impact.

　　Essential Functions,

　　Provide strategic advice and support on matters of legislative, policy, and regulatory interest.Implement the government engagement strategy for Central America in close coordination and alignment with the Head of Government Engagement for Mexico & CARCAM, and other Visa local and regional functional leaders to achieve agreed objectives.Monitor, analyze and coordinate actions to mitigate potential regulation that might negatively affect Visa business.Propose and coordinate Visa’s positions and advocacy strategies on legislative and policy issues in Central America.Proactively identify strategic business issues and opportunities for Visa and its clients.Gather, develop, and refine best practices from other countries/regions, share intelligence, and coordinate local responses.Establish proactive and constructive relationships with officials at key government agencies (e.g., central bank, financial superintendencies, Ministries of Finance, Economy, Tourism, etc.) including education of these officials about the value of Visa thereby improving the company’s overall reputation.Partner closely with local GE professionals from the financial and technology sectors to build strategies and engagement plans that increase Visa’s visibility.Assist partners (issuers, acquirers, merchants, fintechs) in navigating payments regulation, in close coordination and alignment with the Head of Government Engagement for Mexico & CARCAM and Legal.Establish trusted relationships and engage with lawmakers, regulators, and other external stakeholders that may affect Visa’s business to enhance Visa’s reputation and competitive position.Foster and provide support to Visa Government Solutions´ team on potential business partnerships with national and sub-national government agencies in the delivery of social programs, payment of taxes, and other potential government initiatives that may benefit from the adoption of electronic/digital payments. This is a hybrid position. Hybrid employees can alternate time between both remote and office. Employees in hybrid roles are expected to work from the office 2-3 set days a week (determined by leadership/site), with a general guidepost of being in the office 50% or more of the time based on business needs.

　　Qualifications Basic Qualifications,

　　•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

　　•At least 6 years of experience in a relevant corporate position, regulatory or government agency, and/or consultancy on Central America´s financial system, payments and/or technology issues.

　　Preferred Qualifications,

　　•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

　　•Combination of political and business acumen.

　　•Strategic advocacy and communications planning skills.

　　•Superior inter-personal, presentational and written communication skills.

　　•Ability to act independently but also within a team environment.

　　•Management experience in policy arena.

　　•Leads by example and able to generate respect and loyalty from peers, superiors, and subordinates with a strong commitment to collaboration.

　　•Impeccable ethics and high-level of integrity.

　　•Spanish required and fluent in English.

　　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.