Director, Head of Visa Government Solutions Japan

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.

Make an impact with a purpose-driven industry leader. Join us today and experience Life at Visa.

Team Summary

You will be an integral part of the global Visa Government Solutions team. The role will be based in Tokyo and report directly into the Head of Visa Government Solutions for Asia Pacific.

What's exciting about joining the Visa Government Solutions team?

• You’ll be supporting highly strategic public sector clients on high impact projects
• Partner with industry stakeholders to develop innovative new solutions
• We’re a key part of Visa’s focus on new payment flows as a growth driver for our business
• Given the nature of the sector, it will drive Visa brand values especially as a purpose-led brand with social and economic impact.

The team comprises of a highly motivated team of business leaders who create impactful results with and for our clients. Here at Visa, we strive to excel with our partners and via strong internal and external collaboration, we enable and inspire ecosystem players to drive e-payments and financial inclusion.

If you are business savvy with public sector and financial services industry experience that can help further establish Visa as a leading payments solutions partner, you should apply.

What a Government Solutions Director does at Visa:

Visa is seeking an experienced payment professional to join the Visa Government Solutions team to lead our public sector work in Japan. The successful candidate will have the following responsibilities:  

• Deepan our public sector sales strategy and delivery in the region to increase sales volume and market share
• Identify and execute commercial opportunities in government led projects that focus on government payment flows, data and other government growth priorities to develop new business flows for Visa
• Lead RFP response and commercial deals in collaboration with cross-functional teams
• Engage and partner with potential partners in the form of issuers, acquirers, program managers, processors, fintechs and other enablers who will strengthen our government solution propositions
• Develop innovative strategies and solutions in collaboration with Visa cross-functional teams to address challenges and requests from government clients.
• Work closely with internal stakeholders including the Government Engagement team to strengthen our relationship with key public sector stakeholders, align on our government outreach strategy and targets, approach to educating decision makers and influencers on how Visa can support
• Partner with our marketing and communication teams to position Visa as a leader in the payments industry and a resource for government agencies
• Continuously review market landscape and recommend, develop, and implement new creative approaches to growing the Visa business

Why this is important to Visa

This is a role we have identified globally to drive a new strategic business for Visa. As citizens, we are all aware of the important and increasing roles the government play in our lives, something the recent pandemic has emphasized. Government payments are a significant part of this, be it government making payments to suppliers or social payments in form of disbursements or even accepting tax payments from citizens. At the same time Governments are leading the way in launching innovations in payments (such as Central Bank Digital Currencies, open data) and in dealing with the big challenges of our times (climate, sustainability). We are looking to partner with governments around the world as they drive ambitious plans in a variety of areas such as to support economic recovery and drive digitalization.

This is a hybrid position. Expectation of days in office will be confirmed by your Hiring Manager.

What you will need:

• 12 plus years’ experience in government/ state-owned enterprise/ public sector sales management, with expertise in payments/ financial services industry managing complex deals and sales
• Active network in the public sector across Japan
• Robust understanding of how public sector sales and public agencies operate with deep expertise in navigating government agencies and procedures, including government procurement and public sector contracting vehicles
• Very strong collaboration and relationship skills required to balance the need to both navigate and serve external client and partner requirements, whilst leading internal cross-functional teams in solution development and go-to-market strategy
• Strong business development and consultative sales experience, with the ability to share with a wide range of stakeholders on Visa’s capabilities and produce business cases
• Understand payment flows between Governments, Governments and businesses, Government and citizens
• Strong financial acumen and outcome oriented
• Ability to negotiate business agreements whilst enhancing existing and new relationships
• Fluent in the Japanese language and comfortable with business English

What will also help:

• Prior sales and consulting experience servicing government clients and projects
• Specialist public sector payments infrastructure expertise is a plus
• Solutions-focused mindset
• Interest in emerging payments innovation topics
• Experience in effectively creating and confidently delivering presentations to senior stakeholders with strong written and oral communication

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.