Sr Risk Management Manager, Visa Acceptance Risk Standards (VARS)

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. Our 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.

Make an impact with a purpose-driven industry leader. Join us today and experience Life at Visa.

Job Description

North America Risk is a Regional Risk group that is tasked with the role of upholding the security and integrity of the payment ecosystem through the interdiction of illegal and fraudulent activity.  This is achieved through the deployment of risk quality control and/or compliance programs.  The programs are deployed through Visa Rules and additional client guidelines and Visa performs quality control leveraging proprietary tools, specialized third party vendors, regional risk teams, and other stakeholders.   ESI also works with internal and external stakeholders to further its charter and initiatives.

The person in this role will support the underwriting of the regional Acquirers as defined in the Visa Acceptance Risk Standards.  The objective of these processes is to assess the effectiveness of controls Acquirers have in place to onboard and manage merchants that are active across defined, high-risk merchant activities.  This person will contribute to creating an “underwriting” new Acquirer application and periodically review existing Acquirers as defined by the Visa program.  The person will ensure related policies, procedures, and controls are executed consistently across the region as well as by internal and external stakeholders.  

Essential Functions

• Perform underwriting assessment of the effectiveness of controls Acquirers have in place to onboard and manage merchants covered under Visa’s Integrity Risk Program.  Such underwriting may include any of the following: review of Self-Assessment Questionnaires, of Acquirer Policies, Procedures and sample Merchant Files, various external diligence information, payment fraud performance, etc.
• Perform periodic risk-based assessment of Acquirers covered under Visa’s Integrity Risk program, with ongoing monitoring
• Handle Acquirer control assessment of the more complex clients, such as clients that operate across various regions and/or across various merchant activities in scope of the Program
• Conduct on-site Acquirer Audits, or coordinate Audits through 3rd parties
• Support Visa’s Close Monitoring process and coordinate risk and threat management actions vis-a-vis ecosystem participants posing an excessive risk or potential threat — exceeding Visa’s stated risk tolerance. 
• Engage with Merchant Sales and Acceptance (MSA) and Account Executives to share intelligence, assess mitigating actions, and ensure clear accountability across functions and/or individuals to drive a consistent and timely remediation approach
• Working closely with the Visa Acceptance Risk Standards Global team to perform periodic industry reviews of high-risk activities, and recommend program changes to ensure continuous program effectiveness

This is a hybrid position. Expectation of days in office will be confirmed by your hiring manager.

Qualifications

Basic Qualifications:

• 8 or more years of relevant work experience with a Bachelor Degree or at least 5 years of experience with an Advanced Degree (e.g. Masters, MBA, JD, MD) or 2 years of work experience with a PhD
• Strong analytical thinking and skills with minimum experience of 4 years
• Agree to 50% travel time to meet the Clients

Preferred Qualifications:

• 9 or more years of relevant work experience with a Bachelor Degree or 7 or more relevant years of experience with an Advanced Degree (e.g. Masters, MBA, JD, MD) or 3 or more years of experience with a PhD
• Strong Visa or Payments industry experience, with focus on Acquirer risk management (including merchant underwriting) and/or financial industry experience with focus on client underwriting
• Self-starter who can communicate with a deep understanding of the company needs and enable people to move forward through complexity
• Relationship Client management experience
• Knowledge or experience in audit or underwriting
• Stakeholder management (internal and external)
• Proven ability to implement strategic initiatives, processes and operational decisions
• A clear record of strategic thinking, sound judgment and superior problem solving in the area of trust and security
• Flexible and creative thinker with strong execution skills, generate out-of-the-box solutions, manage ambiguity, anticipate the impact of decisions initiatives and able to move seamlessly from high level concepts to details.

Additional Information

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 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.

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

U.S. APPLICANTS ONLY: The estimated salary range for a new hire into this position is $127,300 to $165,800 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.