Senior Process Improvement Specialist

The Senior Process Improvement Specialist is part of the Operational Excellence & Execution (OEE) team that is part of the Employee Enablement Solutions (EES) team within Corporate IT (CIT). This group champions the technology needs of Visa staff.

This team works with technology and other business partners to provide a center of excellence within the organization to drive efficiency, effectiveness, and an exceptional user experience. 

We are passionate about empowering our business users and supporting their success. We are looking for equally passionate people to lead a continuing journey of delivering world class technology, processes, services, support, and experience to our colleagues. 

Reporting to the Operational Excellence & Execution Director, this role will work with diverse teams across the Corporate IT Integration Management Office landscape to identify and implement process efficiencies, while contributing to efficient and successful integration of an acquired entities data and end users by driving process automation, improvement, and standardization across all functional areas and across all project lifecycle stages from inception to end-of-life. 

This position requires extensive Lean Six Sigma (DMAIC) experience analyzing and creating process flows within the context of cross-functional programs.  The successful applicant will also possess excellent leadership and interpersonal skills necessary to influence teams to deliver in a fast-paced and dynamic environment.  This position plays a pivotal role to ensure end users can conveniently and effectively execute their responsibilities in the Visa environment. 

In addition, this role requires demonstrated experience with process analysis, process design, process flow documentation, process improvement and target operating models. As the Business Process Improvement Analyst, you will actively lead continuous improvement projects using Lean Six Sigma (DMAIC) process improvement methodologies with the output being an optimal future state process and/or target operating model. 

We are seeking an experienced Senior Process Improvement Specialist who has a mind for creating metrics, the ability to formulate strategy, and can lead critical continuous process improvement efforts, with the goal of improving both operating and financial performance.  This role requires the ability to understand an acquired entities processes and ways of working, operational, and technical, to drive an optimal future state, that results in enhanced experiences during and post-acquisition integration. 

Essential Functions: 

• Leverage Lean Six Sigma (DMAIC) and other process improvement methodologies to drive process improvement, transformation, and automation through cross-functional collaboration across all areas of the organization.
• Cultivate trusted advisor relationships across the Corporate IT Integration Management Office organization and with their stakeholders and customers through demonstrated expertise and action-based leadership. 
• Prepare and deliver status updates and presentations to internal stakeholders and executive leadership team. 
• Conduct interviews and facilitate workshops with business stakeholders and acquired entities to formulate strategy, define customer needs, validate requirements and proposed changes to business processes and operating models. 
• Develop process improvement procedures and monitoring and reporting on process performance and adoption across the organization. 
• Formulate strategic objectives and appropriate key measurements for initiatives. 
• Analyze current process standards and metrics to provide solutions for improvements, updating and maintaining documentation on process improvements and performance. 
• Perform data gathering, root cause analysis, demand analysis, and performance trending to develop appropriate process control changes. 
• Analyze and document dependencies between new and existing processes and identify opportunities for improvements. 
• Serve as a change agent for transitioning business stakeholders to new ways of working. 
• Provide education and training on changes, updates, and improvements for guidelines, processes, and procedures to stakeholders and management. 
• Serve as a contributor and advocate for global Lean Six Sigma initiatives and the fostering of a Lean Six Sigma culture. 
• Identify potential roadblocks/obstacles and escalate issues as needed. 
• Serves as a catalyst for continuous business process improvement, transformation, and innovation. 

Basic Qualifications:

• 5 or more of relevant work experience with a bachelor’s degree or at least 2 years of work experience with an Advanced degree (e.g. Masters, MBA, JD, MD) or 0 years of work experience with a PhD, OR 8+ years of relevant work experience.
• 2 or more of relevant work experience with a bachelor’s degree or an Advanced degree (e.g. Masters, MBA, JD, MD), OR 5+ years of relevant work experience.
• Lean Six Sigma (LSS) Green Belt Certification (Black Belt certification preferred).
• Demonstrated business process improvement experience leveraging LSS methodologies.
• Proven ability to accurately produce detailed process flow maps, document key metrics and produce supporting cost/benefit analysis

Preferred Skills / Qualifications:

• Master’s Degree.
• Lean Six Sigma Black Belt certification.
• Agile SaFe and/or ITIL 4 knowledge.
• Experience in the mergers and acquisitions space, specific to integrating data and end users to a new environment.
• Ability to understand and work with technical concepts and creatively apply these concepts to process innovation and business efficiency.
• Experience developing Target Operating Models (TOM) from defining vision and strategy to future state design that satisfy strategic needs, customer needs, and business needs.
• Problem solving skills - Superior ability to structure and scope complex problems, apply a range of analytical tools, gain and synthesize insights and develop solutions.
• Client management skills - Advanced ability to closely partner with senior leaders and other stakeholders on projects.
• Project management skills - Proven ability to frame projects and establish required governance to move projects forward.
• Change management skills - Proven ability to plan approach to implement change, manage change, and ensure acceptance and sustainability of the change.
• Strong team-player with proven ability to effectively work with and influence various business functions within an organization to drive successfully drive initiatives to completion.
• Communication skills - Strong written and oral executive-level communications skills.
• Proficient in Microsoft Office. Advanced capabilities using Excel, Visio, Power BI, Minitab and/or other mapping/reporting/analytical tools.

Work Hours: Expectations are that your regular workday will overlap with at least 50% the workday of Business Partners in Austin TX, United States (M-F, 8:00AM – 5:00PM CST).

Travel Requirements: This position requires travel 5-10% of the time. 

Mental/Physical Requirements: This position will be performed in an office setting.  The position will require the incumbent to sit and stand at a desk, communicate in person and by telephone, frequently operate standard office equipment, such as telephones and computers. 

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. 

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.

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.