Senior Director, Country Manager, Belgium & Luxemburg
The Senior Director Country Manager will be responsible for overseeing all operations within the BELUX region, driving strategic initiatives, dynamic growth in the market, and ensuring the achievement of business objectives.
This role requires a visionary leader with a proven track record in senior management roles, exceptional business acumen, and the ability to build relationships with key stakeholders.
The role will lead a team to enable Visa to build deep relationships with key clients, not only in the “core” part of Visa’s business, with an emphasis on Financial Institutions, but also focus on driving additional revenues through new VAS/CMS solutions. The individual in this role will play a key role alongside other executives to represent Visa, by delivering on the company’s market mission: growing the business with cards and faster payments. Advancing market share is a priority. By building deep partnerships with clients, opening up access and offering creative solutions, Visa is at the forefront of protecting and growing the company’s brand and market share.
The Country Manager will be responsible for engaging with all stakeholders, internally and externally, operating at a senior level with clients and leading key strategic market and technology developments. The Country Manager will have direct and dotted line management responsibility spanning sales, product, marketing, merchants and will help Visa to expand access into key business verticals and clients. Commercial acumen and an excellent understanding of the broader market landscape will be critical to this appointment. The role will report to the Regional Managing Director for the FBL (France, Belgium, and Luxembourg) cluster.
Key Responsibilities
What we expect, day to day
* Lead and manage the overall operations of the BELUX region, ensuring alignment with the company's global, regional, and cluster strategy and objectives.
* Develop and implement strategic plans to drive growth, profitability, and market share within the region.
* Oversee the execution of business development initiatives, including market expansion, product launches, and partnerships.
* Drive additional revenues through new VAS/CMS solutions.
* Lead the development and implementation of the market strategy to enable the activities of others that deliver key targets and revenue acceleration. Ensure that the initiatives of diverse functions within the market are integrated and aligned to Visa’s broader business plans and strategic goals in Europe and across the FBL cluster.
* Drive consultative and solution sales efforts within the market and ensure cultural and working style differences are understood and respected.
* Establish and maintain strong relationships with key stakeholders, including clients, partners, regulatory bodies, and internal teams. Responsible for working with clients and teams to identify new and ongoing requirements, and introduce new products or services. Develop and grow local market share by both identifying, developing and securing new business opportunities and expanding existing business.
* Manage the regional budget, ensuring effective allocation of resources and cost control.
* Represent Visa externally on a regular basis through interactions with key clients, the press, domestic regulators, government agencies, consumers, merchants and the broader fintech / emerging digital ecosystem. Partner with key internal and external clients to ensure that Visa is the primary influencer within the markets payments industry. Serve as an advocate of the industry and represent Visa in the marketplace.
* Lead local initiatives within the wider Visa community in Europe and ensure the market has the necessary resources to achieve scorecard targets. Lead and manage the product portfolio for signature accounts, ensuring Visa clients have excellent support service from the Visa team.
* Lead, mentor, and develop a high-performing team, fostering a culture of excellence and continuous improvement.
* Provide regular reports and updates to senior management on regional performance, challenges, and opportunities.
* Lead the annual business and account plans for key clients, liaising with the Key Account Managers / Business Development leaders in relation to the product or portfolio.
* Ensure compliance with local regulations and company policies, while promoting ethical business practices.
* Monitor market trends, competitor activities, and industry developments to identify opportunities and mitigate risks.
Minimum Qualifications
* Bachelor's degree in Business Administration, Marketing, Finance, or a related field. A Master's degree is preferred.
* Minimum of 10 years of experience in a senior management role, preferably within the BELUX region.
* Extensive experience, including experience in a commercial / sales leadership role within the broader payments industry or adjacent sectors where technology (digital / e and m-commerce) feature strongly in the ecosystem.
* Demonstrated success developing strategy and leading it through to execution and delivery. Consistent record of having met challenging financial and business targets.
* Strong understanding of the BELUX market, including regulatory requirements, industry trends, and key players.
* Exceptional leadership and people management skills, with the ability to inspire and motivate a diverse team.
* Fluency in English, French, and Dutch.
* Willingness to travel within the region as needed.
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.
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