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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.

Visa is one of the most trusted brands in the world and is highly visible across many touchpoints. The Visa network connects 3.6 billion credentials, over 70 million merchant locations, powers more than $11 trillion in total volume annually, and connects with tens of thousands of partners. We are on a mission to expand the perception of Visa from a trusted credit card company to the trusted engine of commerce.

We focus every day on enabling digital commerce for both buyers and for sellers. Visa sits in a very fortunate place because in the business that we're in, the business of commerce, we can do well by doing good. At Visa we believe that economies that include everyone everywhere, uplift everyone everywhere. This belief is the foundation of all that we do and defines the products and solutions we deliver.

What’s it all about?

The Director will be responsible for devising, leading and successfully implementing all internal and external communications activities across the “FBL” markets, especially as France is going to host the next summer Olympics and Paralympics Games in 2024.

Based in Paris and reporting to the Senior Director, Head of Corporate Communications, Continental Europe, with a dotted-line onto the Senior Director, Head of Business Performance FBL, the candidate will play a central role in helping to assess and respond to Visa’s most critical communications in alignment with FBL business priorities.  This will include the planning and activation of proactive campaigns and initiatives that align to Visa’s business objectives, and that enhance and protect Visa’s reputation more broadly across Europe. 

They should be curious, business-focused and enjoy taking on a diverse range of activities, many of which will require close collaboration with colleagues across Visa’s FBL business, as well as members of the Global and European corporate communications teams.

One of the early projects for this candidate will include leading Visa’s corporate communications strategy for the Paris 2024 Olympic and Paralympic Games, where Visa is a Global Sponsor. They will therefore be experienced in budget management and leading teams, working cross-functionally in a matrix environment to develop integrated communications programmes with a digital first mindset.

A strong storyteller and leader, they will find appealing ways to get Visa’s messages across to internal and external audiences. They will be a strategic thinker, able to grasp topics quickly and have (or quickly develop) a solid understanding of the issues and opportunities in the payments industry.

A key aspect of this position will be to actively help the regional leadership team to evaluate how communications can support material business opportunities and challenges. As such, they will provide ongoing counsel to the Regional Managing Director and County Managers in France, Belgium and Luxembourg.

The candidate must also be familiar with EU/EC policy and FBL politics, and should feel comfortable in supporting the Government Engagement teams with ongoing strategic communications counsel.

The Director would also be expected to respond to incidents and/or major crises by undertaking an appropriate communications role and responsibility, which could include out of hours in the most severe crisis scenarios.

Some limited business travel could be expected in this role.

What we expect of you, day to day:

• Proven self-starter with the ability to work independently as needed, think ahead, engage proactively and take initiative, while also working collaboratively as a team player

• Strong project management skills, with the ability to quickly transition from strategy to implementation, working on both simultaneously as needed

• Ability to build and maintain positive relationships internally and externally, interacting with all levels of stakeholders, including senior leaders, influencing to drive impact

• Considerable subject matter expertise in payments and associated topics is preferred

• Strong understanding of EU/EC political affairs and the political media environment across the region

• Expert media handling skills with strong media relationships. Experience of developing and implementing media relations programmes and media training for Visa spokespeople

• Ability and flexibility to manage multiple projects under pressure

• Management of project budgets, ensuring alignment with procurement and contract processes

• Effective management of, and partnership with, external suppliers/agencies

• Passion for creating engaging corporate communications campaigns that meet business objectives, including measurement, evaluation and reporting

• Proven experience of developing and implementing integrated communications programmes (external and internal, digital, public affairs, crisis and reputation management)

• Extensive experience in corporate communications roles or similar, transferable experience
• Experience working for, or supporting, a high-profile company/brand, working in a matrix, multi-national corporate environment
• Educated to degree level or equivalent PR qualification
• Fluent written and verbal communications skills in English and French. Working proficiency in other European languages desirable but not essential