Visa is a world leader in payments and technology, with over 259 billion payments transactions flowing safely between consumers, merchants, financial institutions, and government entities in 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 while driven by a common purpose – to uplift everyone, everywhere by being the best way to pay and be paid.

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Reporting to the Senior Director Client Marketing Sub Sahara Africa, the role will be accountable for leading the Client Marketing strategy for a key client in South Africa to support the delivery of Marketing Advisory Services with the client (70% of time), and responsible for leading the Country Marketing delivery of the market development initiatives, (30% of time). This is a pivotal role ensuring effectiveness of marketing strategy through Client partnerships with the goal of achieving Visa’s business and brand objectives in this critical market.

The role purpose is to strategize and partner with the Client and Account teams to identify opportunities to drive Account Plans that lead to successful commercial outcomes for the client. This will be done through leveraging Visa marketing & communications brand, assets, and capabilities, to develop co marketing programs which deliver measurable and mutually beneficial business outcomes.

This selected leader must have organizational savvy and interpersonal skills to build fast rapport and credibility.  Close collaboration with both executive client stakeholders and Visa leaders is essential, as is a deep experience in Stakeholder Management, Client Engagement and Strategic & executional capabilities. 

The selected leader will have a proven track record of success in fast paced environments with demanding timelines. and will be equally comfortable interacting with “C suite” executives and junior team members. 

Essential Functions

• Develop a multiyear engagement strategy and execution roadmap for the client, incorporating strategic marketing advisory capabilities which deliver value for the client.

• Strategize and partner with client to develop, lead and execute multiyear end to end lifecycle marketing, identify, scope, business case development, price, pitch, proposal, delivery, and implementation (including delivery through 3rd party agencies creative and media agencies) and use of Visa’s marketing assets and capabilities to drive positive business outcomes for the client/s and Visa.

• Confidently lead and facilitate marketing related conversations with the client to surface potential opportunities, scope projects, and pitch proposals

• Develop a Go To Market (GTM) strategy, which may include new campaigns or initiatives across client’s segments and based on client and Visa joint objectives.

• Influence and gain the support of client banks to participate in Visa marketing activities, negotiating the financial terms of their participation.

• Coordinate and manage the Client Marketing budgets to ensure alignment to forecasts.

• Oversee joint client marketing campaigns that align to Visa business priorities & work with both internal and external stakeholders to ensure effectiveness.

• Translate the country strategy into a comprehensive market development marketing plan in alignment with country stakeholders. Oversee the conceptualization and delivery of market development campaigns that align to Visa business priorities & work with both internal and external stakeholders to ensure effectiveness.

• Contribute to the identification of new market opportunities that will increase services to clients, merchants and cardholders and increase the value of the Visa brand.

• Adapt and develop global and regional Marketing initiatives to address local market opportunities or needs, ensure relevance and effectiveness within South Africa.

• Develop strong working relationships with key internal stakeholders and clients, ensuring a thorough understanding of their business.

• Apply solid business and industry knowledge and latest marketing/consumer trends to carry out business objectives to achieve outcomes.

• Working with the measurement team, deliver return on investment for all marketing spends.

• Establish, develop, and maintain strong, collaborative working relationships across the spectrum of internal and external stakeholders.

• Leverage data led approach and mindset: Leverage data, insights, and research to drive decision making and optimize value for client and the Visa brand. Regularly analyze results, identify areas for improvement, and make data driven recommendations to enhance impact.

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.

• 10 or more years of strategic marketing experience with a bachelor’s degree
• Proven relationship management skills
• Retail Banking, Cards marketing, Payments, B2B experience an advantage.
• Excellent performance in marketing management (Plus 10 years’ experience in Marketing)
• Data driven mindset, with the ability to leverage analytics and insights to inform design decisions and measure impact.
• Excellent communication and presentation skills, with the ability to articulate complex design concepts and strategies to both technical and non technical stakeholders.
• Demonstrated ability to collaborate effectively with creative agencies, and third party vendors.
• Strong leadership and influencing skills.
• Solid financial and analytical acumen with strong ROI orientation
• A great team member who adds energy, ideas, and fun to our team and
• A thought leader, change agent, and champion of developing new ways of working.

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.