VP Head of Government Engagement UKI

The Vice President (VP) Government Engagement is a fulltime role based in London reporting to the SVP Europe Government Engagement. This role is a critical leader in the Europe region Government Engagement (GE) leadership team. Some travel in the region will be required from time to time.

The VP role in London is responsible for developing implementing and overseeing the GE strategy in UK & Ireland (UK&I) leading a team of individuals executing this strategy. They also lead and oversee a team responsible for the GE aspects of Regulatory Engagement Pricing Engagement and Open Banking at a hub level across the Visa Europe region. In both aspects of the role the VP is helping to ensure that policy frameworks are conducive to a fair competitive and successful operating environment for current and future business.

Headline objectives of the role are:

• Strengthen leadership in the marketplace increasing impact on government policy to enable the Visa 2030 corporate strategy.
• Directly and through relevant colleagues nurture reputation in priority local markets through cultivating longterm trusted relationships with critical government and regulatory stakeholders and by promoting Visa as a constructive partner to enable growth.
• Seek to safeguard righttoplay as an enabler of the Visa 2030 corporate strategy through the identification and of engagement strategies.
• In alignment with the GE strategies and relevant market priorities execute strategic client engagement focused on adding qualitative and meaningful value to the business relationships.
• Spot potential global implications of local external developments and issues and coordinate their management with Government Engagement colleagues globally.
• Promote a culture that maintains the highest degree of collaboration integrity inclusion and accountability.

What we expect of you day to day:

VISA AS A CRITICAL PARTNER:

• As a member of the Europe GE leadership team codevelop implement and deliver a Europe GE team regional strategy to support the Visa 2030 corporate strategy.
• Develop and implement a proactive short/medium/long term Government Engagement strategy in UK&I.
• Create and execute opportunities through core engagement and long term campaigns to demonstrate the value of Visa to Government sand regulatory partners.
• Execute strategic presence and representation at important political policy and industry events in priority markets alongside corporate affairs functions as appropriate.

SUPPORT CORE BUSINESS AND GROWTH:

• Proactively monitor the changing external political and policy environment including gathering insights from colleagues across the region to identify and assess major risks to Visas business objectives.
• Support Visas 2030 strategy constructively shaping the external policy environment. Intensify GEs efforts through targeted regulatory and pricing engagement to influence legislation that adversely impacts Visas ability to do business.
• Work alongside the business to support growth ambitions with a focus on Open Banking engagement.
• Track outcomes against the worstcase risks identified and implement strategic mitigation strategies in line with corporate strategy. 

DRIVE CLIENT VALUE:

• Partner with priority client directors country managers and regional managing directors to undertake systematic ongoing GE engagement with key clients as dictated by GE priorities and strategies.
• Seek to identify and execute opportunities to showcase GE credentials and skillset to add value to the business relationship with clients.

Leadership Responsibilities

• Line management responsibility for the UK&I Government Engagement team and for Regulatory Pricing and Open Banking Engagement at hub level.
• Responsibility managing the teams budget.
• Establish trustbased relationships at senior levels across key stakeholder groups across the Visa Europe region and globally.
• Manage develop coach and inspire a diverse team of experienced Government Engagement professionals to deliver to their full potential.
• Embed Visas leadership principles into all leadership activities with emphasis on kind not nice management feedback that supports career development ownership & accountability decision making and open communication.
• Retain develop and grow top talent.
• Introduce collaboration opportunities for team members to cross pollinate skills and knowledge.
• Work constructively in different markets with other functions across the regional and global environment in a matrix environment.
• Promote diversity and inclusion in all engagements.

Qualifications :

Experience
15 years of experience designing and implementing strategy for government engagement and public policy with particular focus on the UK at least 7 of which in leadership roles
Leadership experience in both governmental organisations as well as global corporates will be preferred
People management experience especially leading teams in complex matrix organizations
Experienced people leader with crosscultural sensitivity focused on talent development and management as well as team building
Strategic advocacy and effective communication skills required
Proven ability to operate effectively and efficiently in a challenging fastpaced environment.
Thorough understanding and significant practical experience of the UK Regulatory environments laws and policies is essential
Knowledge
Indepth knowledge of the electronic payments/banking industry/crypto/fintech market and respective legislation
Strong financial services and/or technology interest
Active network of government stakeholders and policy makers in UK
Law Economy or Political Science degree post graduate studies preferred
Skills
Superior interpersonal skills. A team player able to work across various Visa functions and collaboratively across cultures
Ability to think creatively and innovatively
Ability to work under pressure
Budgeting and financial management
Excellent written and spoken communication abilities
Able to anticipate issues identify meaningful trends and develop/articulate positions on complex public policy issues
Leads by example and is able to generate respect and loyalty from peers superiors and direct reports with a strong commitment to collaboration and servant leadership.
Adopt a global mindset in leadership combining political and commercially robust business acumen with understanding of corporate and political environments.
Rigorous problemsolver with the ability to get into the detail and acclimatize to see the bigger picture.
Able to grasp complex issues proven manager of public policy process in uncertain and volatile environments.

Additional Information :

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.

Remote Work :

No

Employment Type :

Fulltime