Director, Global Ecosystem Risk

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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Ecosystem Security & Integrity (ESI) is a Global Risk group that is tasked with the role of upholding the security and integrity of the payment ecosystem through the interdiction of illegal and fraudulent activity.  This is achieved through the deployment of risk quality control and or compliance programs.  The programs are deployed through Visa Rules and additional client guidelines and Visa performs quality control leveraging proprietary tools, specialized third party vendors, regional risk teams, and other stakeholders.   ESI also works with internal and external stakeholders to further its charter and initiatives.

The person in this role manages the deployment of the Visa Acceptance Risk Standards Control processes as defined in the Visa Integrity Risk Program.  The objective of these processes is to assess the effectiveness of controls Acquirers have in place to onboard and manage merchants that are active across defined, high-risk merchant activities.  This person will deploy and further develop an underwriting as well as an ongoing monitoring approach, define minimum standards and acceptance criteria that are used to approve Acquirers to be active across such activities.  This role will drive risk remediation where required, working with regional risk teams and other stakeholders.  The person will ensure related policies, procedures, and controls are executed consistently across all Visa regions as well as by internal and external stakeholders.  

Essential Functions

• Operate, deploy and continue to develop a lifecycle program that assesses the effectiveness of controls Acquirers have in place to onboard and manage merchants covered under Visa’s Integrity Risk Program
• Provide guidance to regional teams that perform the assessment of Acquirer controls at the time of onboarding of a new Acquirer.  Such underwriting may include any of the following: review of Self-Assessment Questionnaires, of Acquirer Policies, Procedures and sample Merchant Files, various external diligence information, payment fraud performance, etc.
• Perform periodic risk-based assessment of Acquirers covered under Visa’s Integrity Risk program, with ongoing monitoring
• Conduct on-site Acquirer Audits, or coordinate Audits through 3rd parties
• Drive Visa’s Close Monitoring process and coordinate risk and threat management actions vis-a-vis ecosystem participants posing an excessive risk or potential threat — exceeding Visa’s stated risk tolerance. 
• Engage with Merchant Sales and Acceptance (MSA) and Account Executives to share intelligence, assess mitigating actions, and ensure clear accountability across functions and or individuals to drive a consistent and timely remediation approach
• Working closely with the Visa Integrity Risk Program Management Office, perform periodic industry reviews of high-risk activities, and recommend program changes to ensure continuous program effectiveness

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.

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 JDMD), or a minimum of 3 years of work experience with a PhD
• Issuer background experience

Preferred Qualifications
12 or more years of experience with a Bachelor’s Degree or 8-10 years of experience with an Advanced Degree (e.g. Masters, MBA, JD, or MD) PhD with 6 plus years of experience
Strong Visa or Payments industry experience, with focus on Acquirer risk management (including merchant underwriting) and financial industry experience with focus on client underwriting
Self-starter who can communicate with a deep understanding of the company needs and enable people to move forward through complexity •Relationship Client management experience
Knowledge or experience in audit or underwriting
Stakeholder management (internal and external)
Proven ability to create strategic solutions and implement them to drive top line results
Proven ability to implement strategic initiatives, processes and operational decisions
A clear record of strategic thinking, sound judgment and superior problem solving in the area of trust and security

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.

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.

U.S. APPLICANTS ONLY: The estimated salary range for a new hire into this position is 145,400.00 to 210,800.00 USD per year, which may include potential sales incentive payments (if applicable). Salary may vary depending on job-related factors which may include knowledge, skills, experience, and location. In addition, this position may be eligible for bonus and equity. Visa has a comprehensive benefits package for which this position may be eligible that includes Medical, Dental, Vision, 401 (k), FSA/HSA, Life Insurance, Paid Time Off, and Wellness Program.