Business Development Director

Job Description

The Business Development Director at Visa will lead strategic client engagements with a strong focus on regional and pan-African accounts. This pivotal role demands an exceptional ability to orchestrate internal Visa resources and external stakeholders, delivering integrated payment solutions that meet diverse client needs across multiple markets. As a trusted advisor to key financial institutions and ecosystem partners, you will be instrumental in driving growth and innovation within the payments landscape.

Key Responsibilities

• Strategic Account Leadership: Manage high-value client relationships, including regional banking groups and multinational partners. Develop and execute multi-market account strategies aligned with Visa’s objectives and client priorities. Serve as the primary liaison for executive-level engagement, ensuring consistent communication and alignment.
• Internal & External Orchestration: Coordinate cross-functional teams (Product, Marketing, Risk, Compliance, Operations, etc.) to deliver seamless execution. Act as the central point for internal alignment, ensuring Visa’s global capabilities are leveraged for regional impact. Engage external stakeholders, including regulators and technology partners, to support client initiatives.
• Revenue Growth & Market Development: Identify opportunities to expand Visa’s share of payments across issuance, acceptance, and digital channels. Drive adoption of Visa’s premium products, digital solutions, and emerging technologies. Negotiate commercial agreements and ensure compliance with contractual obligations.
• Innovation & Ecosystem Engagement: Support clients in launching innovative payment solutions tailored to diverse African markets. Champion Visa’s thought leadership in digital transformation and financial inclusion.
• Performance Monitoring & Reporting: Track KPIs, analyze performance data, and provide actionable insights to leadership. Ensure risk management and regulatory compliance across all partnership activities.

Qualifications

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/JD/MD) or at least 3 years of work experience with a PhD.

Preferred Qualifications:

• 12 or more years of work experience with a Bachelor’s Degree or 8-10 years of experience with an Advanced Degree (e.g. Masters, MBA, JD, MD) or 6+ years of work experience with a PhD.
• Minimum Bachelor’s degree in Business, Finance, Marketing, or a related field.
• Minimum 10 years in business development, strategic account management, or financial services.
• Proven track record of managing complex, multi-market client relationships at senior levels.
• Strong understanding of payments, digital banking, and fintech trends in Africa.
• Bilingual proficiency in English and French.
• Exceptional stakeholder management and negotiation skills.
• Strategic thinker with strong analytical and problem-solving abilities.
• Excellent communication and presentation skills for diverse audiences.
• Ability to work in a matrix organization and manage multiple priorities across regions.

Key skills/competency

• Business Development
• Strategic Account Management
• Payments Technology
• Fintech Trends
• Financial Services
• Stakeholder Management
• Negotiation
• Market Development
• Cross-functional Leadership
• Digital Transformation