Consulting Senior Director

Visa Inc.; Gauteng; Hybrid; ZAR 200 000 - 300 000; Full time

Job summary

A global payments technology company in South Africa is seeking a Senior Director for their Consulting & Analytics team. This leadership role involves driving consulting projects, managing client relationships, and leading business development. Ideal candidates will have over 15 years of consulting experience, preferably in the financial services sector, and must exhibit strong analytical and communication skills. This is a hybrid position, offering the flexibility to work both in the office and remotely.

Qualifications

• 15+ years of work experience, including solid consulting experience.
• Experience in the financial services / payments industry is a must.
• Consulting experience gained within a strategy house or Big-4 firm is a plus.

Responsibilities

• Develop plans for consulting activities in coordination with Country Managers.
• Lead business development efforts and secure new consulting assignments.
• Guide team members in structuring and delivering consulting project work streams.

Skills

Strong analytical and Excel modelling skills

Excellent communication and interpersonal skills

Excellent presentation skills

Relationship-management skills

Project-management skills

Fluency in English

Education

MBA or postgraduate studies

Recognized undergraduate degree qualification

Tools

MS Excel

MS PowerPoint

Job description

Purpose

The Senior Director is a leadership role part of the Visa Consulting & Analytics team which delivers high-impact advisory and implementation projects to our clients across SSA, with a focus on South Africa.

We are looking for motivated individuals to join our growing practice to lead business development efforts, lead work on consulting projects, structure and drive consulting and analytics projects, guide team members to develop detailed analyses, derive relevant insights, and shape clients' strategies and implementation efforts.

Responsibilities

Develop plans for consulting activities in coordination with Country Managers, Account Executives, VCA service line leads, and VCA Geo leads.

Develop project pitches / proposals and secure new consulting assignments with clients, including re-engagement opportunities via a consultative sales approach.

Leverage VCAs various service lines—Portfolio, risk, digital, acquiring, managed services, training, data services, and strategy.

Resolve clients' complex strategic problems, synthesizing complex questions and ambiguous client situations as required.

Support Visa business‑development teams in developing client partnership pitches and proposals.

Lead and Deliver Consulting Projects

Structure and deliver client projects and guide team members in structuring and delivering different consulting project work streams.

Use Visa and external data to analyze client needs across the focus markets and identify opportunities for consulting assignments with Visa key clients.

When required, work on client site to design and project‑manage the implementation of consulting recommendations, marketing campaigns, product value propositions, product migrations, etc.

When required, develop and deliver client training programs and impart best‑practice knowledge sharing to Visa clients.

Manage project budgets and resources to perform all required duties.

Work closely with different Visa functions—including Sales, Product, Marketing—to ensure a seamless consulting projects delivery and impact.

Lead knowledge‑sharing initiatives with consulting teams in other regions to incorporate best‑practice, source analytical or other solutions, and bring a global perspective to local clients.

Carry out other ad‑hoc support, support other functions and teams within Visa, and work on internal projects.

This is a hybrid position.

Expectation of days in office will be confirmed by your hiring manager.

Basic Qualifications

• MBA or postgraduate studies is a plus.
• A recognized undergraduate degree qualification.
• 15+ years of work experience, including solid consulting experience.
• Consulting experience gained within either a strategy house, a Big‑4 firm, or an in‑house strategy function of a financial institution is a plus.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience in the financial services / payments industry is a must.
• Knowledge of portfolio, risk, and / or digital practices is preferred but not a prerequisite.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills.
• Strong analytical and Excel modelling skills.
• Excellent presentation skills and ability to present to senior executives, including C‑suite.
• Relationship‑management skills—should be able to manage internal and external stakeholders at senior levels.
• High attention to detail and commitment to quality.
• Superior project‑management skills.
• Expertise in MS Excel and MS PowerPoint to develop superb client presentations.
• Group facilitation and presentation skills.
• Results‑driven, flexible, and both internally and externally customer‑focused.
• Self‑motivated and able to use own initiative with limited direction.
• Strong teamwork and collaboration skills with the ability to work effectively with inter‑disciplinary groups.
• Fluency in English mandatory—French preferred but not a prerequisite.

EEO Statement

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 qualified applicants with criminal histories in a manner consistent with EEOC guidelines and applicable local law.