Senior Director, Strategic Partnerships (Visa Commercial Solutions, NA)

Company Description

Visa is a world leader in payments technology, facilitating transactions between consumers, merchants, financial institutions and government entities across more than 200 countries and territories, dedicated to uplifting everyone, everywhere by being the best way to pay and be paid.

At Visa, you'll have the opportunity to create impact at scale — tackling meaningful challenges, growing your skills and seeing your contributions impact lives around the world. Join Visa and do work that matters — to you, to your community, and to the world.

Progress starts with you.

Job Description

Head of Strategic Partnerships, North America – B2B Fintech Partnerships

The Head of Strategic Partnerships, North America is a senior leadership role within the NA B2B Fintech Partnerships team, reporting into the NA Head of B2B Fintech Partnerships.  This role will be responsible for setting and driving the long‑term strategy for a select portfolio of Visa’s largest and most complex B2B fintech partnerships.

This individual will serve as the strategic owner and executive steward of these relationships—shaping 1, 3, and 5 year partnership strategies, aligning Visa’s capabilities to the future vision of each client, and ensuring Visa remains a trusted, indispensable partner as clients scale, innovate, and evolve their business models.

The role is intentionally forward‑looking and strategic in nature. While the Head of Strategic Partnerships will maintain executive‑level engagement with key clients, day‑to‑day execution and tactical delivery will be led by account specialists who report into this role and will partner with the overall account executives for these relationships. Success will be measured by the clarity of long‑term strategy, strength of executive relationships, effectiveness of internal alignment, and sustained growth and relevance of Visa across each partnership.

This role reports to the NA Head of B2B Fintech Partnerships and works in close collaboration with senior leaders across Product, Commercial Solutions, Finance, Legal, Marketing, Client Services, and Regional Account Teams to translate strategy into coordinated, scalable execution.

Key Responsibilities

Strategic Partnership Leadership

• Own the long‑term strategic vision for a portfolio of Visa’s largest B2B fintech partners, with clear 1‑, 3‑, and 5‑year partnership roadmaps.
• Deeply understand each client’s business model, growth strategy, product roadmap, and enterprise priorities to ensure Visa is aligned to what matters most to the client—today and in the future.
• Act as a thought partner and trusted advisor to senior client executives, bringing industry insight, market perspective, and strategic foresight.

Team Leadership & Operating Model

• Lead and inspire a senior Account Management organization responsible for execution, delivery, and tactical account management.
• Establish clear role clarity between strategic ownership and tactical execution, ensuring teams are empowered to deliver while remaining aligned to overarching partnership strategy.
• Coach and develop leaders with a focus on strategic thinking, executive presence, and consultative partnership management.

Executive Client Engagement

• Serve as the senior executive sponsor for key partnerships, maintaining C‑suite and senior leadership relationships at client organizations.
• Lead high‑impact strategic conversations such as annual planning, executive business reviews, long‑term roadmap alignment, and partnership expansion discussions.
• Ensure mutual accountability and clarity around shared goals, success metrics, and strategic outcomes.

Strategic Account Planning & Growth

• Oversee the development and execution of multi‑year strategic account plans that drive sustainable payment volume growth, revenue diversification, and deepened partnership value.
• Identify and champion cross‑Visa opportunities—partnering with Enabler, Merchant, Issuer, and Fintech Account Executives to expand Visa’s footprint across the broader ecosystem.
• Ensure Visa’s full Commercial Solutions portfolio is thoughtfully positioned against client needs, timelines, and future platform evolution.

Internal Alignment & Influence

• Act as the quarterback across Visa, aligning Product, Finance, Legal, Marketing, and Client Services around shared partnership priorities.
• Influence decision‑making and resource allocation to ensure strategic clients receive the appropriate focus, investment, and senior‑level engagement.
• Translate client strategy into clear internal priorities and ensure consistent execution across a highly matrixed environment.

Market Insight & Thought Leadership

• Stay closely attuned to evolving B2B payments trends, fintech