What are the responsibilities and job description for the Vice President, Global Security & Safety Operations position at Visa?
The Vice President of Operations – Global Security & Safety (VP Ops, GSS) will lead and oversee the operational delivery of Visa’s global security and safety strategy, ensuring the protection of people, assets, and brand across all regions. This role will directly oversee the Regional Heads of Security for North America, Visa Europe, Latin America & Caribbean (LAC), Central Europe, Middle East & Africa (CEMEA), and Asia Pacific (AP). In addition, the VP Ops will oversee and manage all Visa Special Events security operations to ensure safe, compliant, and seamless execution globally.
The VP Ops will be a senior leader within the Global Security & Safety (GSS) team, responsible for operational excellence, risk mitigation, compliance, and cultivating a strong, proactive security culture worldwide.
Key Responsibilities
Global Security Operations Leadership
- Provide strategic leadership, direction, and oversight for all Regional Heads of Security, ensuring alignment with Visa’s global security and safety standards.
- Oversee the implementation of security programs covering Health & Safety, Electronic Security Systems, Guarding, Physical Countermeasures, Event Security, Executive Protection, Travel Safety, Kidnap Preparedness, and Workforce Protection.
- Ensure a consistent approach to site security surveys, risk assessments, compliance programs, and incident response across all regions.
- Drive operational readiness and resilience globally, ensuring all security systems and personnel meet performance requirements.
- Lead the global coordination of emergency response, crisis management, and business continuity operations.
Visa Special Events Security
- Oversee security planning, risk assessments, and operational delivery for all Visa Special Events worldwide, including executive protection, venue security, crowd management, and liaison with local law enforcement.
- Ensure event-specific safety measures, contingency planning, and compliance with all relevant regulations.
Governance, Compliance & Risk Management
- Ensure compliance with applicable regulations (e.g., PCI for Data Centers, NFPA70) across the global portfolio.
- Lead the development and oversight of Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs), including the Building Security Operations Manual (BSOM) for all facilities.
- Manage and review metrics and KPIs on incidents, vendor performance, alarm response times, and nuisance alarm reduction.
- Coordinate with internal partners such as Information Security, Legal, Privacy, HR, Sourcing, Finance, Corporate Services, and Audit & Compliance to align security operations with business needs and policies.
Vendor & Budget Oversight
- Direct global vendor management, including contracted guard forces and third-party security providers, ensuring service quality and adherence to customer service standards.
- Oversee financial planning, budgeting, and tracking for all operational security and safety expenditures (OpEx & CapEx).
Team Leadership & Development
- Inspire, mentor, and develop Regional Heads of Security and their teams, fostering a culture of education, certification, diversity, inclusion, and empowerment.
- Advocate for security awareness, cultural engagement, and training initiatives globally, leveraging platforms such as Visa University and industry partners.
External Engagement
- Maintain strong relationships with jurisdictional law enforcement, fire, and medical agencies worldwide.
- Represent Visa in global security forums and partnerships to enhance intelligence sharing and best practice adoption.
Key Competencies
- Strategic leadership & influence
- Crisis decision-making under pressure
- Vendor and contract management excellence
- Cross-functional collaboration & stakeholder engagement
- Global cultural awareness and adaptability
- Strong communication and negotiation skills