Sr Director, Events Strategy and Business Operations

Visa; San Francisco (CA); On-site; USD 200,000 - 320,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Bonus eligibility

Wellness Program

Paid Time Off

Job summary

Visa is seeking a Senior Director to lead Events Strategy & Business Operations as Chief of Staff to the Head of North America Events. You will build and run the portfolio's operating model, governance, budgeting, and reporting, partnering with Event Leads and cross‑functional teams.

The role combines strategic oversight with hands‑on delivery in a hybrid US-based setting, including managing a two‑person team and influencing senior stakeholders to enable timely decisions.

Qualifications

• 12+ years of work experience with a Bachelor’s Degree or 10+ years with an Advanced degree (e.g. MBA/JD/MD).
• 15+ years with a Bachelor’s Degree or 12+ with an Advanced Degree and 9+ years in related fields.
• 5+ years of people leadership experience leading small teams.

Responsibilities

• Support the Head of North America Events across portfolio planning, prioritization, and executive reporting.
• Design and improve operating models, governance, tools, and ways of working.
• Establish event tiering standards with budgeting and reporting requirements.
• Manage vendor relationships and ensure compliance across the portfolio.
• Lead the team and foster accountability, collaboration, and delivery excellence.
• Prepare materials and manage executive and team operating meetings.

Skills

Portfolio management

Executive reporting

Program management

Team leadership

Education

Bachelor’s Degree

Advanced degree (MBA/JD/MD)

PhD (optional)

Tools

Event technology

Budgeting software

Forecasting tools

Job description

About Us

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

The Senior Director, Events Strategy & Business Operations will serve as Chief of Staff to the Head of North America Events and lead the operating infrastructure for a complex portfolio of client, executive, sponsorship, employee, and industry programs. With visibility across the portfolio and executive priorities, this role will surface risks, align resources, and enable timely, effective decisions.

This is a hands‑on leadership role responsible for building and running the portfolio, financial, governance, reporting, invitation, and technology capabilities that strengthen consistency, efficiency, and business rigor. The Senior Director will manage and develop a team of two while working directly with Event Leads and cross‑functional partners to advance delivery.

Key Responsibilities

Chief of Staff & Operational Strategy

• Support the Head of North America Events across portfolio planning, prioritization, executive reporting, strategic communications, operating reviews, and leadership requests.
• Design and continuously improve the operating models, governance frameworks, tools, and ways of working that support delivery across the portfolio.
• Establish event tiering standards and corresponding planning, budget, governance, and reporting requirements.
• Partner with Event Leads to resolve complex operational challenges, remove barriers, and accelerate delivery.
• Identify operational friction and implement practical solutions that improve efficiency, consistency, and team effectiveness.
• Prepare materials and manage the cadence of executive and team operating meetings.

Business Operations & Financial Management

• Directly manage portfolio budgeting, forecasting, financial planning, and reporting across North America Events.
• Build financial tracking, governance, and executive reporting that provide clear visibility into investments, forecasts, and outcomes.
• Partner with Finance and Event Leads on annual planning, accruals, budget optimization, and executive reporting.
• Translate financial and operational data into concise insights and recommendations for Events leadership.
• Lead post-event reviews and scale lessons learned across the portfolio.

Event Technology, Measurement & Innovation

• Own the event technology ecosystem, including platform strategy, implementation, optimization, adoption, and enhancement.
• Identify and scale technology, automation, and AI solutions that improve planning, delivery, reporting, and attendee experience.
• Establish practical processes and resources that strengthen consistent technology adoption.
• Build scorecards, dashboards, and measurement frameworks that connect operational performance and investment to business objectives.
• Use data to inform decisions, resource allocation, and continuous improvement.

Invitation & Sponsorship Asset Governance

• Own invitation‑management governance, including attendee selection, tracking, compliance, historical data, and executive reporting.
• Establish a centralized view of attendee history and invitation patterns to support proactive, data‑informed decisions.
• Govern sponsorship ticket and asset allocation, connecting inventory, usage, compliance, and reporting to maximize client and business value.

Vendor, Procurement & Compliance Leadership

• Lead key vendor and strategic supplier relationships, establishing standards and governance that strengthen quality and accountability.
• Partner with Procurement, Legal, Finance, Compliance, and Risk on contracts, policies, and complex operational decisions.
• Resolve vendor, contracting, and compliance issues with Event Leads throughout the event lifecycle.

Team Leadership

• Manage and develop a team of two, setting priorities, providing direct coaching, and building individual capability.
• Operate as a player‑coach, remaining closely engaged in delivery while enabling the team to take ownership and grow.
• Foster accountability, collaboration, practical problem‑solving, and continuous improvement.

This is a hybrid position. Expectation of days in 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
• 10+ years of experience in event operations, business operations, portfolio management, program management, marketing operations, consulting, or a related field.
• 5+ years of people leadership experience, including experience leading small, high‑impact teams.
• Proven success building and running portfolio operating models, governance frameworks, executive reporting, and scalable processes.
• Experience managing event investment portfolios, budgets, forecasting, resource allocation, contracts, and financial governance.
• Strong understanding of event technology, invitation and attendee operations, data and reporting, automation, and process optimization.
• Demonstrated ability to balance strategic leadership, people management, and hands‑on delivery.
• Executive presence and demonstrated ability to influence senior stakeholders and drive cross‑functional decisions.
• Exceptional business judgment, analytical capability, and practical problem‑solving skills.
• Experience leading operations across large‑scale event portfolios, conferences, sponsorships, hospitality programs, or executive events preferred.

Information for US Applicants

For roles located in the US, the estimated salary range for this position is $200,000.00 to $ 320,000.00 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.

• Medical
• Dental
• Vision
• 401(k)
• FSA/HSA
• Life Insurance
• Paid Time Off
• Wellness Program

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