Visa is seeking an exceptional executive to serve as Senior Vice President (SVP), Chief Auditor leading the company's worldwide internal audit function. This senior leadership role reports functionally to the Audit and Risk Committee of the Board of Directors and administratively to the EVP, Chief Financial Officer. The Chief Auditor will provide independent, objective assurance and advisory services designed to add value and improve Visa's operations globally, helping the organization accomplish its objectives by bringing a systematic, disciplined approach to evaluate and improve the effectiveness of risk management, control, and governance processes.
KEY RESPONSIBILITIES
Strategic Leadership & Governance
- Serve as the primary liaison to the Audit and Risk Committee of the Board of Directors, providing regular updates on audit activities, findings, and risk landscape
- Develop and execute a risk-based internal audit strategy aligned with Visa's global business objectives and emerging risks in the payments industry
- Provide independent assurance on the adequacy and effectiveness of internal controls, risk management, and governance processes across all Visa entities worldwide
- Advise senior management and the Board on significant risk exposures and control issues, including fraud risks, cybersecurity, regulatory compliance, and operational resilience
Regulatory Relations & Compliance Oversight
- Serve as a key point of contact for regulatory interactions related to internal audit matters with U.S. regulators
- Maintain direct relationships with various international regulators
- Respond to regulatory inquiries, examinations, and requests related to internal audit scope, findings, and remediation activities
- Ensure internal audit coverage addresses regulatory expectations and supervisory concerns across all jurisdictions where Visa operates
- Provide regulatory insights to the Audit Committee and senior management on evolving supervisory expectations
- Coordinate audit activities to support Visa's regulatory compliance programs globally
Audit Operations & Execution
- Lead the development and execution of the annual global audit plan, ensuring comprehensive coverage of critical risk areas including technology, cybersecurity, financial reporting, payments operations, regulatory compliance, and third-party relationships
- Direct complex, high-impact audits across multiple geographies and business units, ensuring quality, timeliness, and actionable recommendations
- Monitor management's remediation of audit findings and provide timely reporting on open issues to senior leadership and the Audit Committee
- Ensure audit coverage addresses cross-border regulatory requirements and international payment system standards
Team Leadership & Development
- Build, lead, and mentor a world-class global internal audit team of an estimated 100 professionals across multiple locations
- Foster a culture of excellence, continuous improvement, innovation, and professional development
- Establish talent management strategies including recruitment, development, succession planning, and retention of top audit talent
Stakeholder Management & Influence
- Establish and maintain strong, trusted relationships with the Board of Directors, C-suite executives, and senior leadership across all business units and regions
- Coordinate with external auditors to ensure efficient audit coverage and leverage work where appropriate
- Represent Visa's internal audit function with regulators and in industry forums
- Build credibility and maintain productive working relationships with regulatory bodies across multiple jurisdictions
Innovation & Continuous Improvement
- Drive innovation in audit methodologies, incorporating data analytics, artificial intelligence, continuous auditing, and other emerging technologies
- Benchmark internal audit practices against industry best practices and implement improvements
- Ensure the internal audit function remains agile and responsive to the rapidly evolving payments and fintech landscape
- Champion the use of advanced analytics and automation to enhance audit efficiency and effectiveness
Technical Competencies
- Strong understanding of financial services regulations and compliance requirements globally
- Deep knowledge of U.S. and international banking and payment system regulations
- Expertise in regulatory expectations for internal audit functions in systemically important financial institutions
- Deep knowledge of payment systems, networks, processing, and related technologies
- Expertise in IT general controls, application controls, cybersecurity, and data privacy
- Proficiency in data analytics tools and audit management systems
- Understanding of emerging technologies (AI, blockchain, cloud computing) and their risk implications
- Familiarity with cross-border regulatory frameworks and international supervisory cooperation mechanisms
Leadership Competencies
- Exceptional executive presence with demonstrated ability to credibly represent the organization with Board members, C-suite executives, and senior regulators
- Outstanding communication skills (written and verbal) with proven ability to present complex, sensitive information to Boards of Directors and regulatory authorities
- Diplomatic skills and gravitas necessary to manage relationships with senior government officials and regulatory bodies
- Demonstrated strategic thinking and business acumen
- Strong judgment and decision-making capabilities, particularly in ambiguous situations
- Proven ability to build and lead high-performing, geographically dispersed teams
- Cultural sensitivity and experience managing in a global, matrixed environment
- High integrity, objectivity, and commitment to professional ethics
- Ability to challenge constructively and maintain independence while building collaborative relationships
- Political acumen and ability to navigate complex stakeholder environments
- Crisis management experience and ability to perform under pressure
This is a hybrid position. Expectation of days in office will be confirmed by your hiring manager.
Basic Qualifications
- 15 or more years of work experience with a Bachelor’s Degree or at least 12 years of work experience with an Advanced degree (e.g. Masters/MBA/ JD/MD) or a minimum of 10 years of work experience with a PhD
- MBA, Master's degree, or advanced degree strongly preferred
- Active CPA, CIA, CISA, or equivalent professional certification
Preferred Qualifications
- Minimum 20+ years of progressive experience in internal audit, external audit, risk management, or related fields
- Minimum 10+ years in senior leadership roles, with at least 5 years leading large, global internal audit functions
- Prior experience as CAE (Chief Audit Executive) at a Fortune 500 or large, internationally regulated financial services company
- Extensive experience in the financial services industry, preferably in payments, banking, or fintech
- Proven track record of regular interaction with and presentations to Audit Committees and Boards of Directors at major financial institutions or global corporations
- Demonstrated experience working directly with U.S. financial regulators
- Direct experience interfacing with international regulators
- Experience managing regulatory examinations, inquiries, and supervisory relationships across multiple jurisdictions
- Deep understanding of enterprise risk management, internal controls, and corporate governance
- Significant experience with regulatory environments
- Experience leading technology and cybersecurity audits in complex, global organizations
- Track record of successfully navigating complex regulatory landscapes and managing regulatory risk
- International work experience
- Experience leading organizational transformation or significant process improvement initiatives
- Multilingual capabilities (particularly European or Asian languages)
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 $325,000 to $575,00 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.
