Senior Manager – Strategic Initiatives Global SMB

Company Description

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.

Job Description

The Global Small Business team at Visa is responsible for shaping and executing Visa’s global small business strategy. We lead small business thought leadership, strengthen segment performance, and global sales pipeline. The team operates cross-functionally and thrives on a multidisciplinary skill set to drive impact at scale.

The Sr. Manager, Strategic Initiatives will play a pivotal role in identifying, framing, and advancing high-potential business and operational opportunities that fuel growth and support Visa’s 2030 goals. This role requires strong strategic thinking, cross-functional leadership, and the ability to turn ideas into action by working in close partnership with global product, strategy, and operations teams, as well as regional stakeholders.

 

Key Responsibilities
 

Strategic Thinking

• Proactively identify emerging opportunities to accelerate SMB performance by leveraging internal insights, external market intelligence, product developments, and Visa’s infrastructure (e.g., data, reporting, organizational design).

• Develop and propose initiatives to improve operational efficiency in partnership with global and regional teams.

• Collaborate with product teams to capture growth in underpenetrated or underperforming markets, including co-authoring of the investment thesis.

• Partner with strategy and product teams to shape strategic thinking on new business opportunities.
 

Project Management and Leadership

• Champion high-impact initiatives with a growth mindset, including those extending beyond SMB-specific areas, to maximize organizational impact.

• Develop and manage comprehensive project plans for strategic initiatives, including timelines, deliverables, and resource allocation.

• Drive alignment and foster collaboration across global and regional teams through effective communication and coordinated execution.

• Monitor progress, anticipate risks, and implement proactive mitigation strategies.
 

Stakeholder Engagement and Communication

• Build and sustain strong relationships with senior stakeholders across functions and regions.

• Act as a trusted advisor and advocate for Visa’s small business strategic priorities.

• Represent the organization in internal forums, clearly articulating vision, goals, and results.

 

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

Qualifications

Basic Qualifications
• 8 or more years of relevant work experience with a Bachelor Degree or at least 5 years of experience with an Advanced Degree (e.g. Masters, MBA, JD, MD) or 2 years of work experience with a PhD

Preferred Qualifications
•9 or more years of relevant work experience with a Bachelor Degree or 7 or more relevant years of experience with an Advanced Degree (e.g. Masters, MBA, JD, MD) or 3 or more years of experience with a PhD
• Self-starter who can drive a project forward independently. You are willing to roll up your sleeves, take ownership, and are focused on delivering results
• Proven ability to lead broad, strategic initiatives in cross-functional, global organizations.
• Strong commercial and growth-oriented mindset, with demonstrated ability to translate ambiguous challenges into structured, actionable initiatives.
• Deep understanding of Visa’s business, data, SMB payments, and the global payments ecosystem.
• Exceptional communication and interpersonal skills—skilled at engaging both technical and business audiences, and influencing at senior levels.
• Strong analytical skills with experience building business cases and financial models, able to distill complex data into strategic insights and recommendations.
• Critical thinker who can connect the dots, anticipate challenges, and propose forward-looking solutions.
• Highly adaptable, comfortable working in a fast-paced, multicultural, and matrixed environment with change and ambiguity.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office applications (Excel, PowerPoint, Word).

Additional Information

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 159,100.00 to 230,900.00 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.

Client-provided location(s): San Francisco, CA

Job ID: bbee392b-2d63-453f-8ee9-977489d44a90

Employment Type: OTHER

Posted: 2025-08-22T15:27:25