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.

The Visa Consulting & Analytics Director is a senior role in the  Middle East North Africa consulting team (MENA). We are seeking a strategic, innovative, and analytical thinker with main ability to deliver data driven solutions through a consultative approach.

In this role, you are expected to deliver across multiple key areas:

Design, develop and implement end to end strategic programs across multiple areas, New product development, customer life cycle management, digital innovation, and risk that are data driven for our clients. Develop high-impact storyboards that promote data-driven strategies and solutions.

This role is dedicated exclusively to working on a key client account based in the UAE market and will require frequent commuting to Abu Dhabi with full time commitment on client premises.

Principal Responsibilities

• Design and deliver Consulting and Analytics programs by identifying innovative opportunities around data and data-related processes that will help our clients implement fact-based decisioning processes within their card & payment programs
• Resolve complex strategic problems and set strategic direction and roadmap for client program delivery across multiple topics as new products, portfolio management, loyalty, digital and risk.
• Synthesize and manage complex project structures. Manage, facilitate, and implement analytics and consulting services and meet client's business targets (assignment objectives, project scope, budget, paperwork, external consultants' supervision and project delivery).
• Work closely with other VISA groups, including Product, Marketing etc., to ensure a seamless Consulting experience in the countries of focus.
• Work with a broader team that consists of Business Managers, Consultants and Data Scientists from both Visa and client organizations to strategize, co-create, deploy and reap the benefits of data-driven solutions
• Review, direct, guide, and inspire the consulting and analytical work of junior members in the team
• Collaborate with internal Technology partners and Data Engineering function to best leverage Visa’s internal technology platforms, data, and the broader Visa ecosystem to support our clients’ technical data needs
• Develop project pitches and secure new assignments with client, as well as re-engagements opportunities via a consultative sales approach to assigned client 
• Develop and deliver client-training programs and impart best practices knowledge sharing to VISA clients.
• Where appropriate, work with designated practice areas globally to incorporate best practice, source analytical or other services and leverage global consulting solutions.
• Manage the VISA Consulting budget and resources to perform all required duties.
• Liaise with VISA functional teams (Finance, Audit, Legal, Tax, Sourcing) to define and implement processes to optimize the daily engagement of vendors and the relationships with clients.
• Manage workload for self and any direct reports, providing prioritization guidance for project flow to improve process efficiency
• Manage and grow talent within the team
• Develop, share, and build global best practices and knowledge management within the team
• Socialize innovative ideas and approaches that are scalable and have market demand
• Comply with internal requirements around Model Risk Management, Visa Analytics Rules, and Global Privacy standards around client delivery to ensure that Visa’s highly regarded market standing is maintained

• +12 years of solid experience gained within the financial services practice of a top-tier consulting firm.
• Experience working in one or more of the Card & Payments markets around the globe, with specific responsibilities in payments, retail banking, or retail merchant industries.
• Deep consulting skills and client engagement capabilities. Advanced client management and presentation skills. Credibility with clients and working teams and diplomatic skills to extract desired outcomes. Comfortable interacting with and presenting to senior management of clients and VISA.
• Post-graduate degree desired
• Good understanding of Payments and the Banking industry, including card verticals such as consumer credit, consumer debit, prepaid, small business, commercial, co-branded and merchant
• Highly analytical with advanced PowerPoint skills and Excel skills
• Superior project management skills. Fluent communicator
• Self-motivated and able to use own initiative with limited direction
• Strong teamwork and collaboration skills with the ability to work effectively with inter-disciplinary groups.
• Experience building and cultivating teams
• Experience planning, organizing, and managing multiple large projects with diverse cross-functional teams, including resource planning and delivery implementation
• Ability to work in a multi-cultural environment.
• Fluency in English mandatory. Arabic desired but not a prerequisite.
• Business Experience
• Results-oriented with strong problem-solving skills and demonstrated intellectual and analytical rigor
• Exhibits intellectual curiosity and a desire for continuous learning
• Good business acumen with a track record in solving business problems through data-driven quantitative methodologies, proven skills in translating analytics output to actionable recommendations and delivery
• Team-oriented, collaborative, diplomatic, and flexible style
• Very detailed-oriented, is expected to ensure highest level of quality/rigor in reports and data analysis
• Experience in presenting ideas and analysis to stakeholders whilst tailoring data-driven results to various audience levels
• Proven ability to deliver results within committed scope, timeline and budget
• Very strong people/project management skills and experience
• Leadership Competencies
• Demonstrates integrity, maturity and a constructive approach to business challenges
• Serves as a role model for the organization by implementing core Visa Values
• Shows respect for individuals at all levels in the workplace
• Strives for excellence and extraordinary results
• Uses sound insights and judgments to make informed decisions in line with business strategy and needs
• Able to allocate tasks and resources across multiple lines of businesses and geographies.
• Able to influence senior management both within and outside Visa, successfully persuading internal stakeholders to commit to best-in-class solutions when required
• Leverages change management leadership as required

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 two days a week, Tuesdays and Wednesdays with a general guidepost of being in the office 50% of the time based on business needs.