📌 Core Information
🔹 Job Title: Manager, Corporate Communications
🔹 Company: Visa
🔹 Location: San Francisco, California, United States
🔹 Job Type: Full-time
🔹 Category: IT Services and IT Consulting
🔹 Date Posted: April 30, 2025
🔹 Experience Level: 5-10 years
🔹 Remote Status: Hybrid (5-10% travel required)
🚀 Job Overview
Key aspects of this role include:
- Crafting and delivering compelling narratives to enhance Visa's brand reputation and drive engagement
- Maintaining strong relationships with key journalists and securing positive media coverage
- Writing and editing press releases, op-eds, talking points, and other communications materials
- Crafting content for internal, digital, and social channels to engage readers
- Managing awards and media training programs, and updating key corporate materials
- Collaborating cross-functionally with investor relations, legal, and other teams to align messaging and strategies
ASSUMPTION: This role requires a strong background in media relations, exceptional project management skills, and the ability to work effectively in a fast-paced environment.
📋 Key Responsibilities
✅ Develop and execute strategic communications plans to showcase Visa's innovation, leadership, and impact in the payments industry
✅ Maintain and strengthen relationships with key journalists, proactively pitching stories to top-tier media outlets, and responding to inquiries
✅ Write and edit press releases, op-eds, talking points, and other external and internal communications materials
✅ Create engaging content for internal, digital, and social channels to encourage reader interaction
✅ Actively manage awards and media training programs, and update key corporate materials
✅ Collaborate cross-functionally with investor relations, legal, and other teams to align messaging and strategies, balancing the needs of multiple stakeholders
ASSUMPTION: This role may require working on evenings and weekends to meet tight deadlines and manage crises.
🎯 Required Qualifications
Education: Bachelor's degree in Communications, Public Relations, Journalism, or a related field
Experience: 5+ years of relevant work experience with a Bachelor's degree, or 2+ years of relevant work experience with an Advanced degree (e.g., Masters, MBA, JD, MD)
Required Skills:
- Proven media relations experience
- Exceptional project management skills
- Strong writing and editing skills
- High level of emotional intelligence, collaboration, and adaptability
Preferred Skills:
- 6+ years of work experience with a Bachelor's degree, or 4+ years of relevant experience with an Advanced Degree (e.g., Masters, MBA, JD, MD)
- Experience in both in-house and agency roles
- Fluency in additional languages
ASSUMPTION: Candidates with experience in the payments industry or financial services sector may have an advantage.
💰 Compensation & Benefits
Salary Range: $124,600 - $180,650 USD per year (including potential sales incentive payments)
Benefits:
- Medical, Dental, Vision
- 401(k)
- FSA/HSA
- Life Insurance
- Paid Time Off
- Wellness Program
Working Hours: Varies upon the needs of the department
ASSUMPTION: The salary range provided is an estimate and may vary depending on job-related factors such as knowledge, skills, experience, and location.
📌 Applicant Insights
🔍 Company Context
Industry: Visa operates in the IT Services and IT Consulting industry, focusing on global payments technology
Company Size: Visa is a large company with over 10,000 employees, offering extensive resources and opportunities for growth
Founded: Visa was founded in 1958 and has since grown into a world leader in digital payments
Company Description:
- Visa is a world leader in digital payments, facilitating transactions between consumers, merchants, financial institutions, and government entities across more than 200 countries and territories
- The company's purpose is to uplift everyone, everywhere by being the best way to pay and be paid
- Visa offers a comprehensive benefits package, including medical, dental, vision, 401(k), FSA/HSA, life insurance, paid time off, and wellness programs
Company Specialties:
- Global payments technology
- Digital payments innovation
- Cross-border transactions
Company Website: corporate.visa.com/en/careers.html
ASSUMPTION: Visa's large size and global presence offer applicants the opportunity to work on high-impact projects and gain exposure to diverse markets and cultures.
📊 Role Analysis
Career Level: This role is at the manager level, overseeing communications projects and teams
Reporting Structure: The Manager, Corporate Communications reports directly to the Senior Director, Global Corporate Communications
Work Arrangement: This is a hybrid position, with an expectation of days in office confirmed by the hiring manager
Growth Opportunities:
- Progression to Senior Manager or Director roles within the Corporate Communications department
- Expansion into other areas of communications, such as investor relations or marketing communications
- Opportunities to work on high-profile projects and gain exposure to senior leadership
ASSUMPTION: Visa's large size and global presence provide ample opportunities for career growth and development.
🌍 Location & Work Environment
Office Type: Visa's headquarters is located in Foster City, California, with additional offices in San Francisco, Austin, Miami, and other global locations
Office Location(s): 900 Metro Center Blvd, Foster City, California, US
Geographic Context:
- San Francisco is a major tech hub with a vibrant startup ecosystem
- The Bay Area offers a diverse range of cultural, recreational, and culinary experiences
- The cost of living in the Bay Area is high, with median home prices exceeding $1.6 million
Work Schedule: The work schedule is flexible, with an expectation of working core hours (9:00 AM - 5:00 PM PST) and being available for meetings and deadlines as needed
ASSUMPTION: The hybrid work arrangement allows for a balance between in-office collaboration and remote work flexibility.
💼 Interview & Application Insights
Typical Process:
- Phone or video screen with a member of the HR team
- First-round interview with the hiring manager
- Second-round interview with additional team members or stakeholders
- Final-round interview with the Senior Director, Global Corporate Communications
Key Assessment Areas:
- Media relations experience and skills
- Writing and editing samples
- Project management and organizational skills
- Cultural fit and alignment with Visa's values
Application Tips:
- Tailor your resume and cover letter to highlight your media relations experience and relevant skills
- Provide writing samples that demonstrate your ability to craft compelling narratives and adapt to different audiences
- Prepare for behavioral interview questions that focus on your problem-solving skills, adaptability, and collaboration
ATS Keywords: Media Relations, Project Management, Writing, Editing, Storytelling, Collaboration, Adaptability, Emotional Intelligence
ASSUMPTION: Visa's interview process is designed to assess candidates' skills, experience, and cultural fit, with a focus on finding the best match for the role and the team.
🛠️ Tools & Technologies
- Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel, PowerPoint)
- Media monitoring and analysis tools (e.g., Muck Rack, Critical Mention)
- Content management systems (e.g., WordPress, Drupal)
- Project management tools (e.g., Asana, Trello)
ASSUMPTION: The required tools and technologies for this role are standard for corporate communications professionals.
👔 Cultural Fit Considerations
Company Values:
- Customer-centric
- Innovation
- Collaboration
- Integrity
- Diversity & Inclusion
Work Style:
- Fast-paced and dynamic
- Collaborative and team-oriented
- Adaptable and resilient
- Results-driven and accountable
Self-Assessment Questions:
- How do you stay organized and manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced environment?
- Can you provide an example of a time when you had to adapt to a significant change or challenge, and how you handled it?
- How do you approach building and maintaining strong relationships with key stakeholders, such as journalists or internal team members?
ASSUMPTION: Visa's company culture values collaboration, innovation, and a customer-centric approach, with a focus on diversity, inclusion, and integrity.
⚠️ Potential Challenges
- Managing multiple priorities and tight deadlines in a fast-paced environment
- Adapting to changes in media landscape and stakeholder expectations
- Balancing the needs of multiple stakeholders, including internal teams, executives, and external audiences
- Working with a diverse range of internal and external audiences, each with unique communication needs and preferences
ASSUMPTION: The potential challenges of this role are common to corporate communications professionals and can be managed through strong project management skills, adaptability, and effective communication.
📈 Similar Roles Comparison
- Manager, Corporate Communications at Visa vs. Manager, Public Relations at a tech startup: Visa offers more resources, a larger team, and global reach, while a startup may provide more autonomy and rapid growth opportunities
- Manager, Corporate Communications at Visa vs. Manager, Corporate Affairs at a financial institution: Visa focuses on payments technology, while a financial institution may have a broader range of products and services, requiring a more diverse communications skill set
- Career progression: Manager roles at Visa may lead to Senior Manager or Director positions within the Corporate Communications department, while similar roles at other companies may offer different career paths or industry-specific opportunities
ASSUMPTION: Comparing similar roles at different companies helps applicants understand the unique aspects of each position and make informed decisions about their career goals and preferences.
📝 Sample Projects
- Developing and executing a media relations strategy to launch a new Visa product or service
- Managing a crisis communications response to a data breach or other high-profile issue
- Creating engaging content for Visa's internal and external communications channels, such as blog posts, newsletters, or social media campaigns
ASSUMPTION: Sample projects provide applicants with a sense of the day-to-day responsibilities and challenges of the role, helping them assess their fit and prepare for the interview process.
❓ Key Questions to Ask During Interview
- Can you describe the team structure and dynamics within the Global Corporate Communications department?
- How does the company support work-life balance for employees in this role?
- What are the most pressing challenges facing the Corporate Communications team in the next 12-24 months, and how would this role contribute to addressing them?
- How does Visa approach diversity, equity, and inclusion in its communications strategies and initiatives?
- What opportunities are there for professional development and growth within the Corporate Communications department and the broader organization?
ASSUMPTION: Asking thoughtful questions during the interview process demonstrates the applicant's interest in the role and provides valuable insights into the company culture and team dynamics.
📌 Next Steps for Applicants
To apply for this position:
- Submit your application through this link: https://jobs.smartrecruiters.com/Visa/744000056782445-manager-corporate-communications
- Tailor your resume and cover letter to highlight your media relations experience and relevant skills
- Prepare for behavioral interview questions that focus on your problem-solving skills, adaptability, and collaboration
- Follow up with the hiring manager one week after submitting your application to express your interest and reiterate your qualifications
⚠️ This job description contains AI-assisted information. Details should be verified directly with the employer before making decisions.
