Senior Director, Global Brand and Marketing Communications

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

Visa is looking for an experienced senior communicator with deep connections to pop culture, sport and entertainment to continue to raise the quality, clarity and impact of Visa’s presence in those conversations.  

The Senior Director, Global Brand and Marketing Communications will be responsible for working closely with our marketing teams to amplify brand initiatives and ensure our campaigns and partnerships resonate in the public conversation.

Reporting to the Vice President of Global Brand Communications & Newsroom, this person will act as a strategic advisor, translating business priorities into culturally relevant storytelling that complements Visa’s business story and resonates with consumer audiences, creators, and top tier consumer media.

The ideal candidate is deeply fluent in traditional and non-traditional consumer and trade media, with a proven ability to operate at the intersection of brand, technology, and culture. They bring sharp instincts, strong relationships with both reporters and influencers, and the credibility to lead high stakes, high visibility moments on a global stage.

Key Responsibilities

Brand and Sponsorship Communications

• Lead Visa’s external communications strategy, ensuring the brand shows up credibly, creatively, and consistently in moments that matter.
• Translate Visa’s business priorities into culturally relevant narratives that elevate the brand and resonate across entertainment, sports, lifestyle, and technology audiences.
• Serve as a senior counselor to brand and marketing leadership to shape narratives around major activations and partnerships.

• Identify whitespace opportunities where Visa can authentically participate through earned storytelling, talent partnerships, and creator-led narratives.

Consumer Media & Influencer Engagement

• Build and maintain deep relationships with top tier consumer, lifestyle, entertainment, and technology media, as well as cultural influencers and tastemakers.
• Develop proactive media strategies that elevate Visa’s brand relevance beyond traditional business and trade press.
• Guide executive visibility and spokesperson strategy for culturally driven moments and campaigns.

Strategic Leadership & Collaboration

• Act as the external communications partner to Visa’s CMO, ensuring alignment across brand, business, and technology narratives.
• Partner closely with the Vice President of Global Brand Communications & Newsroom to ensure holistic storytelling and cohesion across newsroom content, social strategy, and cultural storytelling.
• Collaborate across Global Communications, Marketing, Sponsorships, Legal, and Regional teams to deliver integrated, globally consistent communications.
• Lead agency partners across culture, consumer PR, and influencer strategy, ensuring excellence, efficiency, and measurable impact.

This is a hybrid position. Expectation of days in the office will be confirmed by your Hiring Manager. 

Qualifications

Basic Qualifications:

• 12 or more years of work experience with a Bachelor’s Degree or at least 10 years of work experience with an Advanced degree (e.g. Masters/MBA /JD/MD), or a minimum of 5 years of work experience with a PhD

Preferred Qualifications:

• 15 or more years of experience with a Bachelor’s Degree or 12 years of experience with an Advanced Degree (e.g. Masters, MBA, JD, or MD), PhD with 9 years of experience 
• 12 years of experience in communications, public relations, or brand marketing, with significant experience in consumer, culture, and sponsorship-driven storytelling.
• 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.
• Proven track record working with global brands, high-profile sponsorships, and culturally relevant platforms.
• Deep understanding of consumer media, pop culture trends, influencer ecosystems, and earned storytelling.
• Experience operating at a senior level within a highly matrixed, global organization.
• Strong executive presence with the ability to counsel senior leaders and operate as a trusted partner.
• Exceptional written and verbal communication skills, with sharp editorial instincts.
• High-level of professional integrity and confidentiality.
• Creative, positive, collaborative, and high-energy individual with an ability to execute.
• Comfortable taking ownership and driving the team forward on a daily basis.
• Established media experience and contacts.
• Mix of agency and in-house experience strongly preferred.

Additional Information

Work Hours: Varies upon the needs of the department.

Travel Requirements: This position requires travel 5-10% of the time.

Mental/Physical Requirements: This position will be performed in an office setting.  The position will require the incumbent to sit and stand at a desk, communicate in person and by telephone, frequently operate standard office equipment, such as telephones and computers.

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.

Visa will consider for employment qualified applicants with criminal histories in a manner consistent with applicable local law, including the requirements of Article 49 of the San Francisco Police Code.

U.S. APPLICANTS ONLY: The estimated salary range for this position is 210,900 to 369,000 USD per year, which may include potential sales incentive payments (if applicable). Salary may vary depending on job-related factors which may include knowledge, skills, experience, and location. In addition, this position may be eligible for bonus and equity. Visa has a comprehensive benefits package for which this position may be eligible that includes Medical, Dental, Vision, 401 (k), FSA/HSA, Life Insurance, Paid Time Off, and Wellness Program.