Senior Manager, Strategic Initiatives

What’s it all about?

The Strategic Initiatives Team is a critical, high-profile team with direct reporting line to the Regional Managing Director within the CEE Cluster.

This team is primarily accountable for:

• Leading the CEE Cluster portfolio of strategic initiatives, in partnership with the Leadership team and local market team
• Supporting the organization in meeting its strategic objectives via the execution of cross functional transformation and change initiatives
• Strengthening Visa's cross functional delivery capabilities and driving the development and adoption of best practices across Europe
• Focus on specific long-term initiatives accountable for strategy and execution of non-card payments, eCommerce and partnerships

What we expect of you day-to-day:

The Senior Manager in Strategic Initiatives Team will be based in Bucharest in Romania accountable for driving the CEE Cluster portfolio of strategic initiatives for the RCSB Sub-Cluster. This position will be responsible for defining and operationalizing the medium and long-term agenda for CEE Cluster strategic Initiatives within assigned market. The Senior Manager will collaborate across RCSB Sub-Cluster and the Cluster Leadership Team to drive alignment on strategic priorities, identify and assess new growth opportunities, and support strategic planning activity. This role reports into the Head of Strategic Initiatives in CEE Cluster.

Key focus areas:

Non-Card Payments Strategy & Execution:

• Strategy Implementation: Deliver on the CEE strategy for non-card payments by executing agreed initiatives aimed at securing our market position
• Market Participation: Explore opportunities for direct participation in non-card transactions in relevant markets
• Revenue Generation: Develop and implement plans to generate new revenue streams from non-card payments

CEE eCommerce Business Growth:

• Transaction Volume Increase: Achieve targeted increases in CNP transactions and volume across assigned markets
• Operational Excellence: Ensure best-in-class transaction experiences by delivering on operational KPIs
• Initiative Development: Identify and drive new CNP initiatives with high incremental revenue potential

Strategic Partnerships:

• Long-term Cooperations: Deploy long-term cooperations with significant revenue impact supporting the execution of our long-term strategy
• Strategic Alliances: Create and nurture strategic partnerships with investment commitments
• Framework Development: Build new frameworks for effective partnerships cooperation and support local markets

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.

• Previous experience in a strategic role, ideally in payments and/or financial services
• Proven experience developing strategy and communicating it to senior stakeholders
• Demonstrated autonomy and ownership of outcomes in strategic projects
• Proven track record of collaborating with peers cross-functionally to develop and execute on strategies
• Demonstrated ability to break down and address complex business problems, typically with cross-functional impact and involving multiple stakeholders
• Robust understanding of the financial / payments industry. Experience in payments preferred
• Commercial mindset, with demonstrated experience in driving strategic initiatives with tangible impact
• Superior analytical and problem-solving skills, with demonstrated intellectual and analytical rigor, attention to detail and ability to structure complex business problems
• Ability to support team in managing complex cross-functional projects with multiple stakeholders and competing priorities
• Comfort with ambiguity
• Ability to communicate complex ideas effectively
• Personal presence and ability to influence senior stakeholders and drive alignment on strategic recommendations
• Ability to work well under pressure and influence at all levels as a thought partner
• Excellent communication skills, including strong oral, written, listening, and presentation capabilities
• Proactive with a self-starter and can-do attitude
• Team-oriented, collaborative, diplomatic, and flexible
• Ability to drive cross-functional team alignment on One Visa mindset and approach to strategy definition

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.