Visa South Africa: Head of Products

Visa operates the world’s largest retail electronic payments network and is one of the most recognized global financial services brands. Visa facilitates global commerce through the transfer of value and information among financial institutions, merchants, consumers, businesses and government entities.

We offer a range of branded payment product platforms, which our financial institution clients use to develop and offer credit, charge, deferred debit, prepaid and cash access programs to cardholders. Visa’s card platforms provide consumers, businesses, merchants and government entities with a secure, convenient and reliable way to pay and be paid in 170 countries and territories.

Visa South Africa recruits Head of Products for South Africa

PURPOSE

The position of Head of Products has overall responsibility with regard to product initiatives across the South Africa & Sub Sahara Visa operation.

Visa’s products encompass a diverse portfolio of consumer card based products (e.g. Credit cards, Debit Cards, Prepaid Cards, Premium Cards); commercial card based products and solutions; the spectrum of acceptance channels (including ATMs, Pos, emerging technology/commerce) and underlying technologies which facilitate (including Chip cards, VisaNet and external vendor solutions).

This role is charged with the responsibility of spearheading all South Africa & Sub Sahara initiatives relating to these products, their related enhancements, their take-up by the South Africa & Sub Sahara Clients and most importantly their success against key performance indicators and budgets. The incumbent is expected to provide an acute level of professionalism and consultative support with the South Africa & Sub Sahara executive team, to executives of Clients and to the industry generally.

The principle operating focus of this role and its team is as a strategic support organization to ensure successful execution of key initiatives. Specific initiatives each year have rigid metrics associated with their successful implementation.

The key skills of this role are excellent knowledge of the payments industry and strategic leadership and vision.  The incumbent plays a key role in ensuring Member Financial Institutions have an overwhelming desire and preference for Visa products.  The ‘Head of Products’ must be seen as a leader in the field of payments systems and an industry spokesperson.  The incumbent must also have a solid understanding of our Members and their financial performance, both in terms of card products, acceptance and the overall financial performance of the retail trading bank.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

Provide direct support of strategic plans and initiatives for South Africa and Sub Sahara
Assess and leverage appropriate business models, products, solutions and successes throughout Visa regionally and globally
Maintain and utilize a strong understanding of the industry in which Visa operates. Assess and develop plans which identify and address Visa’s position with competitors, threats and development opportunities for the Visa business
Ensure the evolution of the Visa business in South Africa & Sub Sahara is well planned effectively, communicated and executed.
Create through thoughtful & thorough hiring and ongoing staff performance management a high performing team of Product Managers who specialize in select Visa products and ensure they perform at a high, best in class manner to achieve Visa business goals.
Take an active role in the engagement of Clients buy-in to product related and strategic initiatives
Maintain strong rapport and consultative guidance to key executives of Clients
Provide leadership in product support – through management of local subject matter owners and co-ordination of regional and global subject matter experts.
Provide general support of Visa’s products through to Clients – particular emphasis on debit, commercial, prepaid, chip, acceptance and general marketing platforms such as Visa Entertainment.
Working with APCEMEA counterparts, ensure the needs of the South Africa & Sub Sahara markets are highly prioritized and resourced
Manage the introduction, the communication and general implementation of product and service releases, new products and general enhancements of services

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