📌 Core Information
🔹 Job Title: Director, Market Strategy & Partnerships
🔹 Company: Visa
🔹 Location: Toronto, Ontario, Canada
🔹 Job Type: Full-time
🔹 Category: IT Services and IT Consulting
🔹 Date Posted: July 17, 2025
🔹 Experience Level: 10+ years
🔹 Remote Status: Hybrid
🚀 Job Overview
Key aspects of this role include:
- Developing and executing market strategy initiatives to drive Visa Canada's growth
- Identifying, establishing, and managing strategic partnerships with external organizations
- Collaborating with cross-functional teams and executive management to deliver business results
- Analyzing industry trends and competitor actions to inform strategic decisions
- Acting as a thought leader and internal consultant on emerging topics in the payments landscape
ASSUMPTION: This role requires a high level of strategic thinking, stakeholder management, and execution skills. It is ideal for someone with a strong background in strategy development and partnership management, preferably in the financial services or payments industry.
📋 Key Responsibilities
✅ Market Strategy: Drive the development and execution of market entry, growth, and expansion strategies for Visa Canada, drawing on data-driven insights from the payments and financial services sectors to advance Visa's market position
✅ Market Analysis: Analyze industry trends, competitor actions, and disruptive technologies to inform actionable recommendations, ensuring Visa stays ahead of market shifts
✅ Thought Leadership: Act as an internal consultant and thought leader by proactively researching emerging topics and formulating independent perspectives on their implications for Visa
✅ Cross-Market Collaboration: Coordinate with Visa teams in other markets to identify opportunities where Canada can adopt and scale innovative payment solutions and value-added services
✅ Client Engagement: Provide strategic support for executive client engagement forums, including preparing presentation materials and orchestrating follow-ups to ensure outcomes are driven forward
✅ Partnership Development: Identify, establish, and manage high-impact partnerships with key external organizations that align with Visa's strategic priorities and can drive transformative business outcomes
✅ Relationship Management: Serve as the primary liaison for strategic partners, ensuring effective day-to-day collaboration, clear alignment on objectives, and delivery of mutually beneficial results
✅ Joint Initiatives: Lead the co-creation of joint go-to-market initiatives with partners, aligning internal functions with partner teams to maximize commercial success and market reach for joint programs
✅ Partnership Execution: Drive the implementation and oversight of partnership agreements from inception through integration, monitoring partnership performance and KPIs, and ensuring each relationship delivers strategic value
ASSUMPTION: This role requires a balance of strategic thinking and hands-on execution, with a focus on driving measurable business results through both market strategy initiatives and strategic partnerships.
🎯 Required Qualifications
Education: Bachelor's degree or equivalent experience
Experience: 10+ years of work experience with a Bachelor's Degree or at least 8 years of work experience with an Advanced Degree (e.g., Masters/MBA/JD/MD) or at least 3 years of work experience with a PhD
Required Skills:
- Proven experience in leading strategy projects and partnerships at top-tier management consulting firms or in a corporate strategy group in a multinational environment
- Pro-active and effective communication skills, with the ability to present information to all levels and facilitate group discussions and debate
- Ability to lead cross-functional teams and proven experience in project management
- Strong interpersonal and execution skills
- Strong analytical and strategic acumen
- Excellent presentation and verbal and written communication skills
- Ability to be recognized as a thought leader
- Ability to influence the organization in order to make strategy happen
- Professional, confident, and outgoing with the ability to maintain good communication with wide internal and external audiences
- Team player possessing a strong drive to add value to the business direction
- Highly numerate with attention to detail and ability to structure and analyze databases and strong knowledge of financial modelling, scenario-building, and analysis
Preferred Skills:
- 12+ years of work experience with a Bachelor's Degree or 8-10 years of experience with an Advanced Degree (e.g., Masters, MBA, JD, MD) or 6+ years of work experience with a PhD
- Financial Services / FinTech / Payment industry experience
- Broad understanding / experience in financial services and/or payments
ASSUMPTION: While the role is open to candidates with a range of experience levels, the ideal candidate will have a strong background in strategy development and partnership management, with a proven track record of driving business results in the financial services or payments industry.
💰 Compensation & Benefits
Salary Range: $250,000 - $350,000 CAD per year (Based on industry standards for a Director-level role in the financial services industry in Toronto)
Benefits:
- Comprehensive health, dental, and vision insurance
- Retirement savings plan with company match
- Employee stock purchase plan
- Generous time off and flexible work arrangements
- Tuition reimbursement and professional development opportunities
- Employee discounts and perks
Working Hours: Full-time, with a hybrid work arrangement (expectation of days in office to be confirmed by hiring manager)
ASSUMPTION: The salary range provided is an estimate based on industry standards for a Director-level role in the financial services industry in Toronto. The actual salary may vary depending on the candidate's experience, skills, and qualifications.
📌 Applicant Insights
🔍 Company Context
Industry: Visa is a global leader in digital payments, facilitating transactions between consumers, merchants, financial institutions, and government entities across more than 200 countries and territories. Their mission is to uplift everyone, everywhere by being the best way to pay and be paid.
Company Size: Visa has over 10,000 employees worldwide, providing a large and diverse work environment with ample opportunities for growth and development.
Founded: Visa was founded in 1958 and has since grown into a publicly traded company listed on the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE: V).
Company Description:
- Visa is a world leader in payments and technology, with over 259 billion payments transactions flowing safely between consumers, merchants, financial institutions, and government entities in more than 200 countries and territories each year.
- Their mission is to connect the world through the most innovative, convenient, reliable, and secure payments network, enabling individuals, businesses, and economies to thrive while driven by a common purpose – to uplift everyone, everywhere by being the best way to pay and be paid.
- Visa is committed to making a positive impact on the world, with a focus on financial inclusion, sustainability, and supporting communities around the globe.
Company Specialties:
- Global payments technology
- Digital payments innovation
- Financial inclusion initiatives
- Sustainability and corporate social responsibility
Company Website: https://corporate.visa.com/en/careers.html
ASSUMPTION: Visa's extensive global presence and industry leadership provide a unique opportunity for candidates to work on high-impact projects and contribute to the company's mission of uplifting everyone, everywhere through digital payments.
📊 Role Analysis
Career Level: Director-level role, reporting directly to the Vice President, Market Strategy & Operations
Reporting Structure: The Director, Market Strategy & Partnerships will lead a team of market strategy and partnership professionals, collaborating with cross-functional teams and executive management to drive business results
Work Arrangement: Hybrid work arrangement, with an expectation of days in office to be confirmed by the hiring manager
Growth Opportunities:
- Potential to advance to a Vice President or Senior Director role within the Market Strategy team or related functions
- Opportunities to work on high-impact projects and initiatives that drive Visa's global strategy
- Access to professional development and training opportunities to build skills and advance career growth
ASSUMPTION: This role offers significant growth potential for the right candidate, with opportunities to work on strategic initiatives that impact Visa's global business and contribute to the company's mission.
🌍 Location & Work Environment
Office Type: Modern, collaborative office space with state-of-the-art technology and amenities
Office Location(s): 900 Metro Center Blvd, Foster City, California, US (Global Headquarters); 1 Market St, San Francisco, CA 94105, US (North America Headquarters); 1004 NW 65th Ave, Miami, FL 33126, US (Latin America and Caribbean Headquarters); 900 Metro Center Blvd, Foster City, CA 94404, US (Canada Headquarters)
Geographic Context:
- Toronto is a multicultural city with a high quality of life, offering a diverse range of neighborhoods, cultural attractions, and recreational activities
- The Greater Toronto Area (GTA) is home to a thriving financial services industry, with numerous opportunities for professional growth and development
- Visa's Toronto office is centrally located, with easy access to public transportation and major highways
Work Schedule: Full-time, with a hybrid work arrangement (expectation of days in office to be confirmed by hiring manager)
ASSUMPTION: Visa's Toronto office provides a dynamic and collaborative work environment, with access to state-of-the-art technology and amenities, and opportunities for professional growth and development.
💼 Interview & Application Insights
Typical Process:
- Online application and resume screening
- Phone or video call with a member of the HR team
- In-depth behavioral and technical interviews with cross-functional stakeholders
- Final interview with the hiring manager
- Background check and offer extension
Key Assessment Areas:
- Strategic thinking and problem-solving skills
- Partnership development and management experience
- Cross-functional team leadership and collaboration
- Communication and presentation skills
- Cultural fit and alignment with Visa's values
Application Tips:
- Tailor your resume and cover letter to highlight your relevant experience and skills for this role
- Be prepared to discuss specific examples of your strategic thinking, partnership development, and leadership skills
- Research Visa's mission, values, and recent initiatives to demonstrate your enthusiasm for the role and alignment with the company's goals
ATS Keywords: Market Strategy, Partnership Development, Strategic Planning, Financial Services, Payments Industry, Thought Leadership, Cross-Functional Teams, Executive Management, Business Results
ASSUMPTION: Visa's interview process is designed to assess candidates' strategic thinking, partnership development, and leadership skills, as well as their cultural fit and alignment with the company's values.
🛠️ Tools & Technologies
- Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel, PowerPoint)
- Data visualization tools (e.g., Tableau, Power BI)
- Project management software (e.g., Asana, JIRA)
- Collaboration platforms (e.g., Microsoft Teams, Slack)
- Video conferencing tools (e.g., Zoom, Google Meet)
ASSUMPTION: Visa provides its employees with access to state-of-the-art technology and tools to support their work and collaboration with colleagues around the globe.
👔 Cultural Fit Considerations
Company Values:
- Customer-centric
- Inclusive
- Innovative
- Trustworthy
- Collaborative
Work Style:
- Dynamic and fast-paced
- Collaborative and team-oriented
- Data-driven and analytical
- Results-focused and action-oriented
- Adaptable and resilient
Self-Assessment Questions:
- Do you thrive in a dynamic and fast-paced work environment, and are you able to adapt to change and prioritize multiple projects simultaneously?
- Are you an effective communicator, able to present complex information clearly and concisely to stakeholders at all levels?
- Do you have a proven track record of building and maintaining strategic partnerships, and are you able to drive results through collaboration and influence?
ASSUMPTION: Visa's culture is characterized by a strong commitment to customer-centricity, innovation, and collaboration, with a focus on driving results and making a positive impact on the world.
⚠️ Potential Challenges
- Managing multiple priorities and deadlines in a fast-paced environment
- Navigating complex stakeholder relationships and influencing decision-making at the executive level
- Keeping up with industry trends and emerging technologies in the rapidly evolving payments landscape
- Balancing strategic thinking and execution, with a focus on driving measurable business results
ASSUMPTION: While this role offers significant opportunities for growth and impact, it also presents challenges that require strong strategic thinking, stakeholder management, and execution skills.
📈 Similar Roles Comparison
- Compared to other Director-level roles in market strategy and partnerships, this role offers a unique opportunity to work on high-impact projects that drive Visa's global strategy and contribute to the company's mission
- In the financial services and payments industry, Visa is a leader in digital payments, providing a competitive advantage in terms of market reach, innovation, and partnerships
- Career progression in this role may involve advancing to a Vice President or Senior Director role within the Market Strategy team or related functions, with opportunities to work on increasingly complex and impactful projects
ASSUMPTION: This role offers a unique opportunity to work on high-impact projects and contribute to Visa's global strategy, with potential for career growth and development within the company.
📝 Sample Projects
- Developing and executing a market entry strategy for a new payment product or service, in collaboration with cross-functional teams and external partners
- Conducting a comprehensive market analysis to identify trends, opportunities, and threats in the payments landscape, and formulating actionable recommendations to inform Visa's strategic direction
- Negotiating and executing a strategic partnership with a key industry player, such as a major financial institution or technology company, to drive transformative business outcomes and enhance Visa's market position
ASSUMPTION: These sample projects illustrate the strategic and partnership development aspects of the Director, Market Strategy & Partnerships role, with a focus on driving measurable business results.
❓ Key Questions to Ask During Interview
- Can you describe the most significant market strategy initiative or partnership that Visa has undertaken in the past year, and what was the outcome?
- How does the Market Strategy team collaborate with other functions within Visa, such as Product, Marketing, and Sales, to drive business results?
- What are the key priorities for the first 90 days in this role, and how can I contribute to their successful execution?
- How does Visa support the professional development and growth of its employees, and what opportunities are available for someone in this role?
- What is the work-life balance like for someone in this role, and how does Visa support employees in maintaining a healthy work-life balance?
ASSUMPTION: These questions are designed to provide insight into the strategic priorities, collaborative culture, and growth opportunities within Visa, as well as the work-life balance and support available to employees in this role.
📌 Next Steps for Applicants
To apply for this position:
- Submit your application through the Visa Careers website
- Tailor your resume and cover letter to highlight your relevant experience and skills for this role, with a focus on strategic thinking, partnership development, and leadership
- Prepare for your interviews by researching Visa's mission, values, and recent initiatives, and practicing your responses to common behavioral and technical interview questions
- Follow up with the hiring manager one week after your final interview to express your continued interest in the role and reiterate your qualifications
⚠️ This job description contains AI-assisted information. Details should be verified directly with the employer before making decisions.
