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 purpose of this role is to manage all aspects of the relationship between Visa and designated clients, acquire new clients and focus on business growth and client satisfaction. 

The candidate will manage the setting, direction and implementation of country & business strategies, objectives and plans within designated clients in order to achieve business targets. 

This will be achieved by growing the existing business and through identifying new business opportunities including the introduction and implementation of new products and services. 

Principle Responsibilities/Key Results Area

Regional Strategic Planning

• To manage the development of the Western & Central Africa Market (UEMOA, CEMAC, DRC, Guinea & Cape Verde) strategic plan by integrating and setting priorities based on information about the markets, client’s business plans, Visa priorities and competitor activities. Identify success factors for progressive and dynamic business growth. Ensure that the plan is understood and shared by specialist divisions within Visa.
• Develop Most Valued Partner (MVP) plan for clients and achieve business objectives of client and Visa through planned and well-executed initiatives.

Country Planning

• Ensure the development of individual country plans and key account plans, with corresponding tactics and actions to achieve defined goals. Ensure consistency with the regional and CEMEA strategic plans.
• Ensure that all internal/ weekly/ monthly reports are  carried out in a timely and regular fashion
• Share purpose and objectives with staff members

Business Results

• Accountable for achieving business targets through growing existing business CIF/PV/MV/ Number of Transaction and revenue and developing new business opportunities (Value Added Services), New payment flows (Digital, Push payment, Visa Business Solutions, etc). Monitor business results of the individual countries and client banks, Fintechs MNOs partners, anticipate challenges, and take proactive measures to accomplish country targets.

Business Development:

• Develop, maintain and cultivate close relationships with decision-makers and senior management of member banks, partner companies, central banks and national banking associations.
• Understand their business strategies, priorities, needs and business processes, present to them strategic ideas and share Visa’s views on industry developments and dynamics and advise them how Visa products can impact their results.
• Be the senior Visa representative at Forums and other national Client meetings in the Western Africa cluster
• Accountability for own customer satisfaction surveys

Market Knowledge

• Monitor the development of the banking and financial services / Mobile financial services industries across the region, analyses trends and understand factors influencing current and potential business results of Visa.
• Maintain close contacts with national organizations and central banks and be aware of any developments, which could present a threat to Visa.

Strategic Nature, Mgmt Accountability, & Scope

• The SBDM plays a critical and strategic role in ensuring Visa Inc.’s strategic position in the market of Western Africa within the space of issuance and acquiring
• Provide operational and technical leadership to manage the overall strategic relationships with decision-makers at client banks, Fintechs, MNOs partner companies and with central banks and national banking associations in the area. 
• To create a greater depth of awareness of the services of Visa and the role that Visa plays in the banking industry with the objective of positioning Visa as the strategic and preferred business partner in Western Africa
• Ensure implementation of annual goals and plans for the region.

Decision Making & Complexity

• This position is accountable for decision-making and execution of assigned programs and will drive the development of the Western Africa business.
• Responsible for account planning and submission of solutions propositions to Clients for consideration.
• Recommend strategy for securing individual Client commercial agreements
• Develop individual business case justification for investment decisions and propose to Regional Management for approval.
• Participate in local executive, marketing and operations committee meetings and provide interface between Visa and Clients.
• Manage ongoing level of Client support and manage internal and external visits by Visa staff and alliance partners with key Client personnel

Financial & Organizational Scope

The role holder is a senior level sales leader and accountable for their Western African Clients annual Payment, Revenue and Merchant Volume Targets, as well as Client Engagement Survey results.

Not directly responsible for cost center management.

Reporting Relationships & Interactions

Based in the growing Abidjan office in Cote d’Ivoire, this role reports to the General Manager of Western & Central Africa, based in the same office.

This individual will be expected to interact effectively will all levels of Visa management and staff.

This position will involve frequent interaction and communication with key Visa stakeholders, including financial institutions, Fintechs, MNOs, processors, agents, merchants and vendors.

Strong interpersonal skills are required to address on-going needs of a complex, matrix organization.

Key Competencies

• Leadership and management
• Superior negotiation skills leading to timely and acceptable resolutions
• Client relationship, business development and management skills
• Solid interpersonal skills and working with cross-functional teams.
• Exceptional communication skills
• Development and preparation of executive level briefs
• Self-directed and motivated.
• Able to work with little management oversight.
• Strategic management and creative thinking
• Issues management skills

Other Comments

General

Establish, maintain and develop good relationships with Regional and global colleagues to share information, best practices and deliver to business goals.

Multi-cultural sensitivity and interpersonal relationship management.

Security

As with all positions within Visa International the jobholder is responsible for the security of the Visa International environment and the physical security of all Visa property, documentation and member information. 

Health and Safety

Give full support to the Company’s health and safety policy and ensure that the policy is effectively implemented and all relevant health and safety legislation is complied with within their area of responsibility and within budgeted resources. 

Business Continuity

Give full support to the Company’s business continuity policy and ensure that the policy is effectively implemented.  Ensure familiarity with business continuity plans and support all relevant activity.

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.

• Master / MBA in Business of related field
• Minimum of 5 years experience including banking/financial services, Mobile Financial services /Mobile Network operators, sector or sales/portfolio development, relationship management, and issuing and/or acquiring.
• Proven experience at liaising, negotiating, influencing, presenting and generally working with senior level international bankers, regulators, merchants, media, central bank, regulators, domestic switches, third-party processors, and other key external stakeholders' ability to do this in different markets effectively.
• Fluent English and French
• Proficient in Microsoft Word, Excel, PowerPoint
• Management experience and experience of influencing/managing direct and non-direct reports.
• Excellent knowledge of the Central African Market with sound contacts and network with key stakeholders
• An extensive knowledge of Visa, other payment systems, card products, and the activities of different payment systems within the CEMEA region.
• Proven project management, strategic planning, and budgeting skills.
• Interpersonally credible, influential in their dealings and sensitive to a multicultural environment.
• Proven experiencing of dealing with the Press and other media
• Superior analytical skills
• Superior written and verbal communication skills
• Effective presentation skills
• Ability to negotiate business agreements

Other Comments

General

Establish, maintain and develop good relationships with Regional and global colleagues to share information, best practices and deliver to business goals.

Multi-cultural sensitivity and interpersonal relationship management.

Security

As with all positions within Visa International the jobholder is responsible for the security of the Visa International environment and the physical security of all Visa property, documentation and member information. 

Health and Safety

Give full support to the Company’s health and safety policy and ensure that the policy is effectively implemented and all relevant health and safety legislation is complied with within their area of responsibility and within budgeted resources. 

Business Continuity

Give full support to the Company’s business continuity policy and ensure that the policy is effectively implemented.  Ensure familiarity with business continuity plans and support all relevant activity.

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.