Sr. Manager, Government Affairs - 12 Month Fixed Term Contract

Team Summary

The Australia, New Zealand & Pacific Islands (AUNZPI) Government Affairs (GA) team is part of the Asia Pacific GA team. Within this dynamic sub-region, GA aims to achieve broad alignment between Visa’s business objectives and public policies that affect the payments industry. Externally, the GA team engages a wide range of stakeholders to raise awareness of, and build support for, policies that expand access to and usage of digital payments in Australian, New Zealand and the Pacific Islands. The team also takes the lead on certain areas, including international trade. Internally, GA works closely with colleagues across the company, including Strategy, Government Solutions, Visa Consulting & Analytics, Marketing, Communications, Social Impact & Sustainability, Risk, Legal, and Compliance.

What a Government Affairs Senior Manager does

Across Australia, New Zealand, and the Pacific Islands, the focus on fundamental areas of payments policy and regulation is intensifying – including pricing and interchange, local processing requirements, national supervision, and competition – while at the same time new areas, such as open data, artificial intelligence, stablecoins, real-time payments, digital currency, and sustainability/green finance, are gaining an ever-increasing profile.

This Senior Manager role, to be based in Sydney, will report to the Head of Government Affairs, AUNZPI, as well as the Group Country Manager for AuNZPI, the Country Manager for NZPI, and the Head of Government Affairs, Asia Pacific (AP). The successful candidate will be a key point of contact both internally and externally for Visa’s GA activities across all forms of government in Australia and the Pacific Islands, including regulatory bodies such as the Reserve Bank of Australia. The individual will assist with assessing regulatory conditions and business needs across Australia and the Pacific Islands and contribute to aligning on priorities with key internal and external stakeholders. They will work closely with market leads, AuNZPI and AP GA hub colleagues and Visa experts to help advise business colleagues on the full range of current and emerging payments policy matters.

Responsibilities

• Prominently positioning the value of Visa with political, regulatory and policy decision-makers in Australia and the Pacific Islands
• Monitoring regulatory developments, the policy agenda of the Australian and Pacific Islands’ Governments, and other developments that affect Visa’s business, and developing internal reports for advising senior colleagues and others about potential next steps for Visa
• Proactively shaping the near-term regulatory landscape, including through the development of submissions to government and regulators. Constructive input and engagement with government stakeholders on existing and new public and regulatory policies, with a view to ensure positive impact on Visa’s business, and the expansion of the electronic payments industry in general
• Proactively identifying partnership opportunities with governments and key stakeholders and ensuring Visa is well positioned to take advantage of these opportunities with government agencies in the delivery of government payments, expansion of transit and tourism, furtherance of financial inclusion, adoption of e-commerce, small-medium enterprise digitalization, fintech enablement, and other potential government programs that may benefit from the application of electronic payments
• Providing strategic inputs on Visa’s Australian and Pacific Islands strategy, with the goal of ensuring Visa’s relevance in market
• Supporting the Product team and related functions to establish a go-to market strategy, which complies with prevailing regulatory requirements
• Leading development and implementation of a robust Pacific Islands GA plan (in coordination with the Head of AuNZPI GA and NZPI Country Manager), building vital partnerships with key stakeholders, and enhancing Visa’s reputation as a long-term partner committed to advancing broad-based economic growth in the Pacific Islands
• Coordinating cross-functional initiatives with Visa colleagues and a wide range of external stakeholders, in politics and the public sector
• Supporting the delivery of Visa’s perspectives and furthering our mission at industry, regulator and government events
• Supporting Visa’s relationships with necessary third-party intermediaries, including industry associations, trade associations, diplomatic missions and civil society organisations
• Collaborating with global and regional colleagues and supporting domestic contributions to global initiatives, including Visa’s Social Impact activities
• Contributing to New Zealand GA activities and work as needed

This is a hybrid position. Hybrid employees can alternate time between both remote and office. Employees in hybrid roles are expected to work from the office 3 set days a week (determined by leadership/site), with a general guidepost of being in the office 50% or more of the time based on business needs.

• 5-8+ years of experience in Government Relations preferred, ideally in the payments or financial services industry
• Knowledge of legislation and regulation relating to payments, financial services and financial technology. Strong financial services and/or technology pedigree preferred
• Active network of government and public sector contacts in Australia and/or the Pacific Islands
• Demonstrated ability to build collaborative relationships across geographic boundaries and facilitate effective and inclusive communication. Must be comfortable with and capable of working in a variety of cross-cultural settings as well as embracing diversity of thought, celebrating different backgrounds, and championing different abilities
• Must have excellent judgement, political acumen, and is able to act with discretion
• A high degree of maturity, a positive attitude, and team-oriented mindset at all times. Ability to operate effectively in a challenging, fast-paced environment with limited supervision
• Strong stakeholder management skills and an ability to manage multiple demands and priorities
• Proven track record regarding writing abilities as well as excellent verbal communication skills
• Strategic thinking and advocacy, with a focus on execution
• The highest standards of ethical conduct, confidentiality and integrity, with a strong reputation in the industry
• Some travel – within Australia, to the Pacific Islands, and elsewhere – may be required

Projects you will be a part of:

• Designing and/or implementing a robust GA strategy
• Coordinating regulatory reporting, assisting with the development of submissions to regulators and government agencies, and engagements with regulators on new products and services
• Building partnerships with relevant internal and external stakeholders on key initiatives

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.