Director, North America Communications and Public Affairs

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 Director, North America Communications and Public Affairs will drive communications programs that support storytelling in the U.S. around Visa’s purpose of uplifting everyone, everywhere by being the best way to pay and be paid. Specifically, the role will focus on communicating about our Inclusive Impact and Sustainability programs, as well as our policy and legislative priorities at the U.S. federal and state levels. Responsibilities include working in partnership with North America Inclusive Impact & Sustainability and U.S. Government Engagement on a cross functional team to design communications strategy and plans, and then execute against those plans.

The ideal candidate will be a self-motivated, highly collaborative team player with excellent writing skills, a strong desire to tell purpose driven stories and a proven ability to work across teams and develop relationships - both internally and externally with clients and industry partners. This position will be based in the Washington D.C. office and will report to the Senior Director, North America Communications and Public Affairs.

Responsibilities

· Collaborate with cross-functional teams to create compelling narratives that articulate Visa's purpose and impact to consumers, clients, industry partners and key stakeholders.

· Develop and implement strategic communications plans in support of North America Inclusive Impact and Sustainability initiatives to tell Visa’s purpose driven story in the U.S. market.

· Monitor the media landscape, including social media, to understand and report on emerging trends, public sentiment, and potential issues. Use these insights to inform communication strategies and to anticipate and prepare for potential future issues.

· Implement public affairs strategies designed to reach targeted audiences in state capitals in support of the company's legislative and regulatory priorities.

· Identify key media, influencers, and stakeholders to amplify Visa's Purpose narrative. This might involve organizing media briefings, interviews, and other outreach efforts.

· Craft compelling narratives that resonate with our target audiences and amplify our brand's voice and impact.

· Draft content that successfully activates those narratives: write/design everything from client memos and issue briefs, to executive briefing documents and presentations, to op-eds, blog posts and digital ads.

· Act as communications liaison with select trade associations, such as State Banking Associations, Credit Unions and others that represent the industry’s interests in state capitals across the United States.

· Provide insights to inform issues and crisis response in North America.

· Use data and metrics to both research and develop communications plans. Report on outcomes and pivot accordingly.

This is a hybrid position. Hybrid employees can alternate time between both remote and office. Employees in hybrid roles are expected to work from the office 2-3 set days a week (determined by leadership/site), with a general guidepost of being in the office 50% or more of the time based on business needs.

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

· 8 or more years of work experience with a bachelor’s degree or at least 6 years of work experience with an Advanced degree (e.g., Masters/MBA/JD/MD).
· Proven experience in corporate communications, content creation, or a related role. Public affairs/communications experience at a corporation, trade association and/or agency preferred.
· Passionate about purpose-driven storytelling and brand communication.
· Understanding of the connection points between business and public policy.
· Fluent in multi-channel campaigns including social, digital, earned