As the world's leader in digital payments technology, Visa's mission is to connect the world through the most creative, reliable and secure payment network - enabling individuals, businesses, and economies to thrive. Our advanced global processing network, VisaNet, provides secure and reliable payments around the world, and is capable of handling more than 65,000 transaction messages a second. The company's dedication to innovation drives the rapid growth of connected commerce on any device, and fuels the dream of a cashless future for everyone, everywhere. As the world moves from analog to digital, Visa is applying our brand, products, people, network and scale to reshape the future of commerce.

At Visa, your individuality fits right in. Working here gives you an opportunity to impact the world, invest in your career growth, and be part of an inclusive and diverse workplace. We are a global team of disruptors, trailblazers, innovators and risk-takers who are helping drive economic growth in even the most remote parts of the world, creatively moving the industry forward, and doing meaningful work that brings financial literacy and digital commerce to millions of unbanked and underserved consumers.

You're an Individual. We're the team for you. Together, let's transform the way the world pays.

Organizational Overview

In a fast pace and dynamic environment, payment technology is accelerating commerce amplifying the need to continually monitor for risk fraud and the latest threats to support organizations’ shift to digital commerce. The North America (NA) Risk Team delivers best-in-class payment risk insights and strategies to drive optimal performance across issuers, acquirers, fintechs, processors and merchants.  Leveraging curated analysis, business intelligence and extensive risk management expertise, the NA Risk Team architects unparalleled fraud management and risk mitigation strategies to support the strong and secure growth of Visa programs and payments.

Position Summary 

The Director, North America Acceptance Risk will play an vital role in executing North America’s (NA) risk engagement strategy through risk management of Visa’s US Acquirers, Payment Facilitators and Processors with a primary focus of: 1) delivering strategic guidance to reduce fraud exposure and mitigate emerging risk; 2) performing portfolio analysis to strengthen risk reduction measures, improve authorizations and optimize fraud performance metrics; 3) partnering with cross functional teams to monitor market dynamics and identify proactive risk engagement opportunities; 4) participating in quarterly risk reviews leveraging benchmark reports to influence decision making; and 5) executing education and awareness campaigns through delivery of compelling executive presentations and industry speaking engagements.

The candidate possesses a client-centric mindset with the unique ability to balance risk objectively while supporting the acceleration of digital commerce and new payment flows. The payment professional is transaction processing fluent and thrives in a dynamic environment, employing intellectual curiosity to grasp complex risk concepts and devise stellar resolutions that abate risk and deter fraud.

As a preeminent risk expert, s/he will collaborate with NA Risk team members, client account executives, data scientists and product leaders to deliver innovative risk strategies, fraud reduction opportunities and payment system intelligence. The position operates in a highly matrixed environment with time-sensitive deadlines necessitating the need to employ rapid response measures to control risk. This role will principally focus on US clients (Acquirer’s and Payment Facilitators) from a risk and fraud perspective and will report directly to the Head of North America Acceptance Risk.

Primary Responsibilities       

• Oversee a portfolio of clients and leverage a suite of risk programs, analytics, payment intelligence and capabilities to deliver curated client insights.
• Translate actionable fraud intelligence into tactical strategies that incentivize adoption of solutions that mitigate risk and promote growth of digital payments.
• Differentiate Visa’s expertise through delivery of risk-based market insights that combine unparalleled quantitative and qualitative fraud analysis.
• Monitor ecosystem risk across multiple dimensions and formulate case studies to highlight payment system threats and countermeasures to preserve growth and diminish risk.
• Coordinate execution of risk engagement strategy working cross-functionally with Product, Issuer Risk, Sales and Client Services to achieve scorecard goals as part of US country plans.
• Cultivate and manage relationships with clients to ensure adherence to Visa’s standard of excellence while also maintaining a relentless focus on delivering value-added risk services.
• Support planning and execution of various Visa Risk meetings inclusive of executive councils, forums and symposiums.
• Deliver persuasive client presentations at industry forums championing a risk and payments ecosystem perspective.
• Lead ad-hoc projects in support of overall risk and corporate initiatives.

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

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
• 8+ years of relevant experience in payments industry, financial services, management consulting, and/or previous strategy functional experience
• Establish high standards of performance to maximize core competencies, enable autonomous execution, and promote ingenuity while bolstering team’s value
• Impeccable managerial, interpersonal and presentation skills with the ability to influence internally and externally
• Demonstrated thought leadership and the aptitude to think creatively and identify new ways to approach common problems
• Ability to prioritize projects to meet timelines efficiently, adapt to changes in priorities quickly and manage multiple initiatives simultaneously
• Capable of working independently while also being team oriented, collaborative, diplomatic and flexible
• Ability to keep pace with demands of business by predicting problems, and exhibiting leadership to effectively implement change
• Superior written, oral and presentation skills and an ability to synthesize information and make clear, concise recommendations on course of action
• Strong business acumen with keen emphasis on payment processing knowledge and advance understanding of risk and fraud methodologies
• Shrewd negotiator that gracefully challenges the status-quo while concurrently removing barriers to progress change


While we list Atlanta, GA as the primary location, this position can be done from anywhere in the U.S. with a Visa office presence.

Visa has adopted a COVID-19 vaccination policy to safeguard the health and well-being of our employees and visitors. As a condition of employment, all employees based in the U.S. are required to be fully vaccinated for COVID-19, unless a reasonable accommodation is approved or as otherwise required by law

Work Hours: Varies upon the needs of the department

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.

Relocation/Sponsorship: No relocation or work sponsorship is available for this role.

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 will consider for employment qualified applicants with criminal histories in a manner consistent with applicable local law, including the requirements of Article 49 of the San Francisco Police Code.